Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Frat House Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 1, 2021

1979’s “Frat House” was created to capitalize on the raging success of 1978’s “Animal House.” The adult film industry wasn’t about to let a collegiate setting for tomfoolery and bedroom antics go to waste, inspiring the production to generate its own sense of playfulness, with the full title of the endeavor being “Natural Lamporn’s “Frat House.” See what they did there? Writer/director “Sven Conrad” (aka David Worth, who would go on to helm “Kickboxer”) doesn’t have the time or money to really give the Universal Pictures release a proper pantsing, but he organizes a lighthearted effort that’s more in love with silent comedies than National Lampoon, dealing with pure zaniness between scenes of sexual gymnastics and disco fantasies.

The men of I Phelta Thi are preparing for the end of their college experience on the campus of Faulk University. It’s been a long road for the guys, and they’re struggling to make sense of adulthood and all the responsibilities expected of them once they exit the party central atmosphere of the frat house. Roger (Bruce Dobos) is the leader of the gang and a practiced seducer. Sutton (Turk Lyon) is the resident pervert, always on the hunt for a cheap thrill. Larry (Michael Parker) is a writer, working on his limericks. And there’s Star (Randy Allen), a photographer and filmmaker who’s happy to capture the sexual exploits of the house. Feeling the need to stir things up for their senior year, the I Phelta Thi unit attempts to pull off some practiced mischief involving the females on campus, ending up with willing partners as they close the best year of their lives.

“Frat House” doesn’t actually have a plot, it has characters, with the men of I Phelta Thi experiencing a psychological crisis during the feature, encountering the reality that college life is about to come to a close, replaced by real-world expectations they aren’t equipped to handle. The guys are used to horseplay, spending their days planning pranks and coming on strong to women. “Frat House” doesn’t get into deepest fears and feelings of inadequacy, but it does introduce some ideas about the pains of maturity that kinda-sorta land with emotional accuracy. Perhaps accidentally.

The rest of “Frat House” is basic in design, following the jokesters as they figure out how to pull off some monkey business before the end of the year, living up to their reputation as the wildest guys at Faulk U. Roger has a steady girlfriend in Cindy (Hillary Summers), with the pair working to spice up their relationship through role playing, including an introductory scene where a jogger (Roger) is approached by a randy woman in a convertible (Cindy) who’s looking for a good time. Their sexual positions across a giant car look quite painful, but actors do suffer for their art. Sutton is a creep with a fondness for cutting off his pants pockets, trying to entice ladies into sticking their hands into the holes, reaching for more than loose change. Star targets Abigail (Lisa De Leeuw), a suspected “tease” who simply doesn’t notice lustful men because she’s not wearing her glasses. And Larry is a loner, often lost in thought, which leads to the aforementioned disco fantasy, finding the writer getting close to two partners on the strobe-heavy dance floor.

Conrad tries to keep “Frat House” visually interesting, working with strange lighting and odd locations to offer something different for viewers, successfully working around a lack of cash. His sense of humor is also unexpectedly retro, as “Frat House” doesn’t attempt to replicate the spirit of “Animal House,” instead dealing with silent comedy events, including at pie fight when the frat guys infiltrate a sorority house. Why a sorority house in 1979 would have posters of Laurel & Hardy and W.C. Fields up on their walls is a question that’s never answered, but they have plenty of whipped cream, giving the movie a shot of old-fashioned slapstick.

Frat House Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Frat House" is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm original negative. Detail comes through with wonderful clarity, highlighting fine hairs and facial surfaces, even faint stretchmarks on a few of the performers. Body particulars are exact, and costuming is fibrous. School tours are dimensional, capturing the open spaces of the campus. Interiors are also open for inspection, with decorative additions crisply viewed. Colors are respectfully refreshed, with lush greenery and vibrant lighting, including bold disco hues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few blemishes and brief scratches.

Frat House Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is a tad uneven, with different reels exposing some issues with hiss, sibilance, and slight muddiness. Most of the track is clear, keeping dialogue exchanges intelligible. Sexual response is also defined to satisfaction. Scoring cues are quite commanding during the main titles, and disco cuts handle with a comfortable beat.

Frat House Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Interview (48:13) is a chat with director Sven Conrad (now known as David Worth), who recounts his initial interest in filmmaking and his desire to break into the business, taking jobs in cinematography and editing. Style and equipment are highlighted, including Conrad's use of color in low-budget efforts, and he analyzes his creative approach with tight monetary restrictions. Some information is shared on the creation of "Frat House," including production achievements and casting, but the bulk of the interview details collaborations with directors and producers, and time on other adult movies, before his switch to mainstream endeavors.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (4:01, HD) is included.

Frat House Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Frat House" works hard to be a welcoming viewing experience, with Conrad avoiding darkness to keep things cheery and lustful. He creates an entertaining picture that delivers the expected in sexual play, but also offers silliness to lighten the mood. Just don't expect a lampoon of the Lampoon.