30. O.C. and Stiggs Movie

August 6, 1998

Q: Do you know anything about the movie “O.C. and Stiggs”? I know ABC distributed it, but I can not find it anywhere. Also, in which issues did the O.C. and Stiggs appear?

A: The O.C. and Stiggs movie, written by NatLamp editors Ted Mann and Tod Caroll and directed by Robert Altman was released in 1987. It was not produced as a National Lampoon movie even though it was based on articles that appeared in the magazine. NatLamp publisher Matty Simmons was not interested in it as a movie and allowed Mann and Caroll to try to get it produced on their own, which they did.

O.C. and Stiggs first appeared in the July ’81 (Endless, Mindless Summer Sex) issue in two articles, “Summer Fun with O.C. and Stiggs” and “Some Real Stupid Guys That O.C. and Stiggs Know Go to the Beach.” They also appeared in “The O.C. and Stiggs Annual Gash Report 1981” in the February ’82 (The Sexy Issue), “The O.C. and Stiggs Guaranteed Method of Porking the Vice-President’s Wife” in the June ’82 (Do It Yourself) issue, and, finally, there was a special “O.C. and Stiggs” issue in October ’82 (The Utterly Monstrous, Mind-Roasting Summer of O.C. and Stiggs).

Comments

I have this movie on tape, but I would like to find it on DVD. Is there someone who can help me?

—Ray F. Sharp

June 11, 2004 9:15 am

Ray, I am looking for the movie O.C. and Stiggs. Can you direct me?

—David LaPage

April 1, 2005 3:03 pm

The movie was an atrocity; OC and Stiggs were essentially Leopold and Loeb in the stories, and Mann/Carroll realized no mainstream studio would distribute a version close to the original stories. As I recall, OC and Stiggs were based on the characters Hock and Wickheiser in an earlier short story by Mann or Carroll who go on a similar rampage (tape recorded narrative transcribed) but die at the end like Butch and Sundance. In any case, the sole appeal of the characters was their complete disregard for everything else; the stories had the warmth and sentiment of Trainspotting. In the movie, we have to be given reasons to hate the Schwabs.

—Andrew

September 6, 2005 4:47 pm

"The Utterly Monstrous, Mind-Roasting Summer of O.C. and Stiggs" from October 1982 was the last gasp of the National Lampoon I knew and loved. I sort of got off the train after that. Was the "O.C. & Stiggs" movie ever in theatres, or did it go straight to video?

—G.T. Tyson

January 8, 2006 10:20 pm

The film was VERY loosely based on the OC & Stiggs pieces. Overall, it was very bad, lacking the essential sociopathic content that made the stories so good...sort of a sanitised version. Avoid.

—Mike

February 26, 2006 2:44 am

It did appear in theaters, but after sitting on the shelf for a long time, and with almost no publicity. I just happened to see it in the listings and caught it before it left town. I was disappointed, although the Gila Monster was a nice touch. It's too bad it wasn't done as a Lampoon movie; it might not have retained the all the mean spirit of the stories, but it would have to be better than Altman's attempt at parodying teen films. I'm glad it finally got a DVD release, and that Robert Altman was willing to provide some perspective on the film.

—Dave Mutant

November 8, 2007 9:23 pm

Damn, Mark! According to your list, there's not one but TWO whole O. C. & Stiggs stories (the July '81 debut ones) that I've never read! I only hope I can trust you, though, since your list is MISSING two articles as well: "Semester Abroad" by O. C. Oglevy (sic) appeared in the September '81 (Back To School) issue, and the fumetti* "How Do Girls Get Pregnant?" by O. C. Oglevey & Mark Stiggs ran in the September '82 (Hot Sex) issue. (You got a problem with Septembers, dude?) Regarding the movie, I think it's pretty good -- if you don't consider how much better it COULD have been. - Ken L. *[fumetti (n.) - an extended Foto-Funny.]

—kenneth Lieck

February 4, 2008 2:50 am

Saw this a few years back when I was on an all-consuming Altman kick. It wasn't worthless. I enjoy Altman's camera work and sound design no matter where they're applied. And I can tolerate virtually any film that lets me hang out with Martin Mull for a while (he plays some good-natured, wealthy neighbor luxuriating in his vices; a role model if there ever was one). But as I recall, the film ladled on the pathos; there's some plot point or other about an aged relative (Ray Walston) that established the boys as good as gold at heart.

—John F.

December 23, 2008 11:58 am

I'm looking for a copy of the October '82 issue. If anyone has one they are willing to part with I'd be grateful. Shoot me an email... ozrik_knob@rocketmail.com It's for use in a PhD study, if it helps. Thanks in advance

—Ozrik

February 13, 2009 9:30 pm

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