Neighbors (1981 film)
Neighbors is a 1981 film based on the novel by Thomas Berger. It was released through Columbia Pictures, was directed by John G. Avildsen, and starred John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cathy Moriarty, and Kathryn Walker. The film takes liberties with Bergers story, and features a more upbeat ending. The screenplay of the film is officially credited to Larry Gelbart, although it was extensively rewritten, to Gelbarts public disapproval.
Thomas Bergers bestselling novel, Neighbors, was published in 1980. Columbia Pictures acquired the rights to film the novel, and assembled a highprofile cast and crew Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown had produced Jaws 1975 John G. Avildsen won an Academy Award for directing Rocky 1976 veteran comedy writer Larry Gelbart developed the hit TV series MASH 19721983 and John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd were the stars of TVs Saturday Night Live on which they appeared from 19751979 and the film The Blues Brothers 1980. The films female leads were played by Cathy Moriarty, who made her film debut in Martin Scorseses Raging Bull 1980, and Kathryn Walker, who had been the girlfriend of Belushis National Lampoon colleague Douglas Kenney 19461980.The production of Neighbors was troubled. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd switched their roles in preproduction, acting against type usualwild man Belushi played the meek Earl and usualstraightarrow Aykroyd played the obnoxious Vic. Belushi and Aykroyd also argued constantly with director John G. Avildsen as they believed that he had no understanding of comedy, and lobbied to have him removed from the picture. Belushi wanted either Aykroyd himself or John Landis to direct the film. Avildsen also argued with producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, and screenwriter Larry Gelbart objected to the changes made to his screenplay by Dan Aykroyd. John Belushis drug problems also impaired the films production, and Neighbors would prove to be Belushis final film before dying of a drug overdose. ........
Source: Wikipedia
