I need to identify the movie that contains the following elements:
Power lines, swamp, practical jokes, radio control airplane, 2 homes,
fire, expelled from school, Reversed Roles. I don't know how prominent
those elements would be in the movie, but they will all be there.
Additionally, there are three sets of initials: A.H., B.B., C.D. --
which are very probably the initials of the main actors in the movie,
though there may be a slight chance they might include the initials of
the director, or even characters from the movie -- but they will all
figure prominently into the movie. There should be one movie which
exactly fits this description, and it will be clear the identification
is correct once found. I wish I could provide more information to go
on, but that is all I have -- I'm not really even sure of the year of
the movie; it could be from a few months ago or a few decades ago.
What I need to know is the exact title of the movie; and some way to
confirm the identification to be correct (ie, link to movie summaries
and/or reviews mentioning elements above; or, alternatively, if the
movie is available to rent, once identified, I can quickly confirm it
first-hand).

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 23 Mar 2005 11:58 PST

Howdy nesbitt-ga,

The only movie that I know of that contains the elements you note is the
1981 "Neighbors" starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

It involves a man (John Belushi) who lives in a house next to a swamp,
and their new (and strange) neighbors (Dan Aykroyd and Cathy Moriarty).
There are power lines that are ominously arcing throughout the movie,
and at one point Aykroyd's character (incongruously?) flies a radio
controlled airplane into them.  Belushi's character's home catches on
fire at the end of the movie, etc.

The only "initials" connection that I have found is Bernie Brillstein
(BB), the executive producer.

Here is a Epinions review of the movie that mentions the swamp.
http://www.epinions.com/content_39380749956

"So, there are many mishaps. In revenge, Belushi takes their car and
drives it into the swamp ..."

It appears to be available in VHS format, so you might be able to find
it to rent.  If this ends up being the movie, please post back here.
Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 23 Mar 2005 14:23 PST

Thanks Pinkfreud!

I couldn't quite fit the "Reversed Roles" "clue" into the film.  From
the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) web page with trivia on the movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082801/trivia

"John Belushi was originally cast in the role of Vic and Dan Aykroyd
in the role of Earl. The two decided to switch roles just prior to
filming the movie."

I have very little doubt that "Neighbors" is the movie in question.

If the comment by crustedfish-ga (good one!) is correct, then A.H.
and C.D. could be location, set names or camera personnel, etc.

If you find a copy to rent, please post if I am right so I can post
this as an answer.  Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by nesbitt-ga on 23 Mar 2005 17:08 PST

Hi denco,

Thanks for the quick response. The initials still don't seem to match
up, but with all the apparent matches to the other elements mentioned,
Neighbors seems very, very likely to be the correct movie anyway. I
hope you won't mind waiting a couple of days while I locate a copy to
rent (or purchase on eBay) to confirm the details first-hand, and I
will follow up with you just as soon as possible so you can get paid!
(Thanks also to pinkfreud for your comment!)

nesbitt

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Clarification of Question by nesbitt-ga on 24 Mar 2005 11:49 PST

denco,

I think irishlad's suggested explanation for the initials neatly ties
up the loose ends on this question. I'm satisfied that you have the
correct answer! Thanks to all for the comments!

nesbitt

Howdy nesbitt,

Greatly appreciate you accepting this as an answer.

The only movie that I know of that contains the elements you note is
the 1981 "Neighbors" starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

It involves a man (John Belushi) who lives in a house next to a swamp,
and their new (and strange) neighbors (Dan Aykroyd and Cathy Moriarty).
There are power lines that are ominously arcing throughout the movie,
and at one point Aykroyd's character (incongruously?) flies a radio
controlled airplane into them.  Belushi's character's home catches on
fire at the end of the movie, etc.  This was John Belushi's last movie.

Here is a Epinions review of the movie that mentions the swamp.
http://www.epinions.com/content_39380749956

"So, there are many mishaps. In revenge, Belushi takes their car and
drives it into the swamp ..."

From the great comment of my friend and colleague, Pinkfreud, we get
the "reversed roles" part of the puzzle covered.  From the Internet
Movie Database (IMDb) web page with trivia on the movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082801/trivia

"John Belushi was originally cast in the role of Vic and Dan Aykroyd
in the role of Earl. The two decided to switch roles just prior to
filming the movie."

The insightful comment by irishlad-ga below connects the initials
mentioned by you to the movie.  Nice one!

"As for the initials... could they possibly be titles from other John
Belushi movies?

A.H. = Animal House
B.B. = Blues Brothers
C.D. = Continental Divide"

There are VHS and DVD copies of "Neighbors" for sale on eBay.
http://search.ebay.com/neighbors-belushi

Bids currently start as low as $2.25 for a VHS copy and $4.99 for DVD.

There are used and new VHS copies of the movie on Amazon as well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/6303257739/

The prices there start from $7.98.

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

I have seen this movie at least three times, one of those actually
during the (short!) theatrical release, and pretty much knew that
this was the movie you were describing.

Much thanks for the great comments by Pinkfreud and irishlad-ga that
filled in the missing pieces.  I am still waiting for the official
DVD version to come out, if it ever does.

I also did additional searches on IMDb, Epinions, eBay and Amazon.

http://www.imdb.com/
http://www.epinions.com/
http://www.ebay.com/
http://www.amazon.com/

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

I think Denco has got it! The "reversed roles" clue fits, too. I
remember reading that John Belushi was originally slated to play the
Dan Aykroyd role, and vice versa, but it was decided that it would be
funnier to have Belushi play the staid, "normal" neighbor while
Aykroyd was the wild man.

sounds like someone came across the dailies.

No problem nesbitt!  Greatly appreciate it!

Perhaps you can share some light on what brought on the question as well,
if you don't mind.  Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Oh Wow? Thanks you guys for remembering the title to this movie! I?ve
been hashing it around in my head for a day now. It?s been driving me
buggy!

As for the initials? could they possibly be titles from other John
Belushi movies?  A.H. = Animal House   B.B. = Blues Brothers    C.D. =
Continental Divide   ???

Nice thinking, irishlad-ga!  Appreciate the great comment, and glad we
get rid of some bugs.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Thanks for the 5 star rating, nesbitt!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher