Without a Paddle: Revisiting 'Up the Creek'

Without a Paddle: Revisiting 'Up the Creek' (2016)

*** (out of 4)

This fifteen minute featurette can be found on the BLu-ray release of UP THE CREEK, the 1984 comedy that took cast members from NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE and PORKY'S and brought them together. Actors Stephen Furst and Sandy Helberg are joined by casting director Harriet B. Helberg as they discuss the production of the film. Several nice stories are told including the actors originally doing the role that eventually went to Tim Masterson. We learn that Michael Keaton and Steve Guttenberg were both set to play the lead. The actors discuss how they ended up in their roles and discuss what it was like shooting the picture. For the most part this is an entertaining featurette that fans of the film should enjoy, although I must admit that I was hoping for a bit more. I was disappointed that Dan Monahan wasn't interviewed but it's possible he was asked but turned down the role. The disappointing part is that he's not even mentioned in the featurette.