Neighbors (1981)

A quiet man's peaceful suburban lifestyle is threatened by the new, obnoxious couple that moves in next door.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writers:

Thomas Berger (novel), Larry Gelbart (screenplay)

Stars:

John Belushi, Kathryn Walker, Cathy Moriarty

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Belushi	...	Earl Keese
Kathryn Walker	...	Enid Keese
Cathy Moriarty	...	Ramona
Dan Aykroyd	...	Vic
Igors Gavon	...	Chic
Dru-Ann Chuckran	...	Chic's Wife
Tim Kazurinsky	...	Pa Greavy
Tino Insana	...	Perry Greavy
P.L. Brown	...	Police Officer #1
Henry Judd Baker	...	Police Officer #2
Lauren-Marie Taylor	...	Elaine Keese
Sherman G. Lloyd	...	Fireman #1 (DOC) (as Sherman Lloyd)
Bert Kittel	...	Fireman #2
J.B. Friend	...	Additional Fireman
Bernie Friedman	...	Additional Fireman

Storyline

One man's quiet suburban life takes a sickening lurch for the worse when a young couple move into the deserted house next door. From the word go it is obvious these are not the quiet professional types who *should* be living in such a nice street. As more and more unbelievable events unfold, our hero starts to question his own sanity... and those of his family.

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Plot Keywords:

house | neighbor | torn shirt | fire | sexual desire | 

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Taglines:

Lock the doors... here come the Neighbors

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

18 December 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die verrückten Nachbarn

Filming Locations:

Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$28,732,057 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was profitable because the studio decided to release the film in the largest number of theaters possible during the end of the year holiday season before the reviews and word of mouth spread to damage the film.

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Goofs

After Vic's dog Baby is heard barking in Enid and Earl's bedroom, we never hear or see the dog again, even after Vic, Ramona and Earl leave Bird Street.

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Quotes

Ramona: I was real friendly with a boy named Earl once - well, twice really.

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Connections

References 60 Minutes (1968)

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Soundtracks

"Holiday In Cambodia"
Written by Jello Biafra
Performed by Dead Kennedys
Courtesy of Alternative Tentacles

User Reviews

One of the greatest comedies ever made

I have no hesitation in recommending this to any viewer with a warped, dysfunctional, black sense of humor. It is absolutely brilliant.

A cruel, mean-spirited world view is loose in this classic, a relentless assault on one man's senses that marked John Belushi's final screen appearance... and what a way to exit! Ackroyd, Belushi's new neighbor, begins to harass and take advantage of Belushi's goodwill just hours after he has moved in. Cathy Moriarty, as Ackroyd's tempestuous wife, is a revelation as she toys with Belushi's raw emotions.

Director John Avildsen chose to shoot this comedy like a sitcom and his choice proves to be the correct one.

It's brilliance on a stick for specialized tastes.