The House Bunny (2008)

Director:

Fred Wolf

Writers (WGA):

Karen McCullah Lutz (written by) &
Kirsten Smith (written by)

Release Date:

22 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Brains. Beauty. Bravery. These girls got it all... They just don't know it yet.

Plot:

When Shelly, a Playboy bunny, is tossed out of the mansion, she has nowhere to go until she falls in with the sorority girls from Zeta Alpha Zeta. The members of the sorority - who also have got to be the seven most socially clueless women on the planet - are about to lose their house. They need a dose of what only the eternally bubbly Shelley can provide... but they will each learn on their own to stop pretending to be what others want them to be and start being themselves.

Plot Keywords:

Sorority | Playboy | Party | Playboy Bunny | Makeover

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Anna Faris	...	Shelley Darlingson
Colin Hanks	...	Oliver
Emma Stone	...	Natalie
Kat Dennings	...	Mona
Hugh M. Hefner	...	Himself (as Hugh Hefner)
Christopher McDonald	...	Dean Simmons
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Mrs. Hagstrom
Katharine McPhee	...	Harmony
Rumer Willis	...	Joanne
Kiely Williams	...	Lilly
Dana Goodman	...	Carrie Mae
Kimberly Makkouk	...	Tanya
Monet Mazur	...	Cassandra
Tyson Ritter	...	Colby
Sarah Wright	...	Ashley
Rachel Specter	...	Courtney
Owen Benjamin	...	Marvin
Holly Madison	...	Herself
Bridget Marquardt	...	Herself
Kendra Wilkinson	...	Herself
Tyler Spindel	...	Steve (as Tyler Spindell)
Sara Jean Underwood	...	Herself - Playmate
Lauren Hill	...	Herself - Playmate (as Lauren Michelle Hill)
Hiromi Oshima	...	Herself - Playmate
Dan Patrick	...	Cop
Sean Salisbury	...	Himself
Matt Leinart	...	Himself
Shaquille O'Neal	...	Himself
Nick Swardson	...	Playboy Photographer
Jay Hayden	...	Kip
Matt Barr	...	Tyler
Chris Titone	...	Guy at Bar (as Christopher Titone)
Michael Bernardi	...	Karaoke Trio
Mike Falkow	...	Karaoke Trio
Marlon Hunter	...	Karaoke Trio
Josh Richman	...	Paramedic
Tony Ervolina	...	Paramedic
Tanner Alexander Redman	...	Trent (as Tanner Redman)
Michelle Fields	...	Michelle
Nikki Deloach	...	Tall Blonde Girl (as Nikki DeLoach)
Linsey Godfrey	...	Short Brunette Girl
Alison Kay	...	Medium Blonde Girl (as Alison Koellisch)
Jackie Benoit	...	Fannie
Katheryn Cain	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Amanda Columbus	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Katheryne Ashley Covert	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Danni Katz	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Aya Nagasaki	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Rachel Saydak	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Ashley Schneider	...	Girl at Panhellenic
Jennifer Tisdale	...	Phi Iota Mu
Adam Shapiro	...	Mona's Interviewee
Angela Shelton	...	Mean Prostitute (as Angela V. Shelton)
Julia Lea Wolov	...	Sweet Prostitute (as Julia Wolov)
Jonathan Loughran	...	Tall Prostitute
Kathleen Gati	...	Boutique Manager
Missy Stewart	...	Kappa Eta Sigma Housemother
Robert Harvey	...	Guy at Pool Table (as Robert H. Harvey)
Ryan Rottman	...	Calendar Buyer
Mitch Gibney	...	Post Office Clerk
Ben Lyons	...	Limbo Guy
Dale Thomas Krupla	...	Karaoke MC
Charles Robinson	...	Francis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alex Spencer	...	Shopper
Ameona Almund	...	Hot Girl (uncredited)
Jeffrey Ashkin	...	Fraternity Brother (uncredited)
Lili Asvar	...	Playboy Bunny 3 (uncredited)
Jonathan Baker	...	Himself (uncredited)
Justin Baldoni	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Melinda Bennett	...	Playboy Go-Go Dancer (uncredited)
Richard Blake	...	Volcano Jock (uncredited)
Antonio Christina	...	Student (uncredited)
Allen Covert	...	Waiter #2 (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Leslie Del Rosario	...	Sienna (uncredited)
Jonathan Eudowe	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Gina Gianni	...	Model (uncredited)
Marcy Goldman	...	Orphanage Lady (uncredited)
Phillip Gramm	...	Frat Boy at Car Wash #2 (uncredited)
Adam Greeves	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Krystal Grenseman	...	Blonde Hottie (uncredited)
Brandon G. Holley	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Kristen Kelly	...	Sorority Girl (uncredited)
Paul Kumar	...	Colby's friend (uncredited)
Breaunna Lake	...	Female Student (uncredited)
Tony Persico	...	Party Guy (uncredited)
Ashley Rose	...	Party girl (uncredited)
Chris Rubio	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Michael Trotter	...	The Pool Guy (uncredited)
Jobeth Wagner	...	Sorority Girl (uncredited)
Rob Watt	...	Frat Guy (uncredited)
Michael Weathersby	...	Fraternity Brother (uncredited)
Brianna Womick	...	Playboy Go-Go Dancer (uncredited)

Directed by
Fred Wolf

Writing credits (WGA)
Karen McCullah Lutz		(written by) &
Kirsten Smith		(written by)

Produced by
Jason Burns	....	co-producer
Allen Covert	....	producer
Anna Faris	....	executive producer
Jack Giarraputo	....	producer
Debra James	....	co-producer
Karen McCullah Lutz	....	executive producer
Heather Parry	....	producer
Richard Rosenzweig	....	co-producer
Adam Sandler	....	producer
Kirsten Smith	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Waddy Wachtel

Cinematography by
Shelly Johnson		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Debra Chiate

Casting by
Lisa London
Catherine Stroud

Production Design by
Missy Stewart

Art Direction by
John Chichester

Set Decoration by
Tracey A. Doyle		(as Tracey Doyle)

Costume Design by
Mona May

Makeup Department
David Blair	....	key hair stylist (as David J. Blair)
Debra Coleman	....	makeup artist (as Debra S. Coleman)
Marianna Elias	....	key makeup artist
Kimberly Felix	....	key makeup artist (as Kimberly Felix-Burke)
Jason Green	....	key hair stylist
Lana Heying	....	hair stylist
Candy L. Walken	....	hair department head
Patty York	....	makeup department head
Clinton Wayne	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Debra James	....	unit production manager
Damiana Kamishin	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Eliopoulos	....	second unit director
Kristina M. Peterson	....	second second assistant director
Sunday Stevens	....	second assistant director
Eric Tignini	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Antonio Andraus	....	leadman (as Tony Andraus)
Joshua Borgese	....	greens foreman (as Josh Borgese)
Max E. Brehme	....	property master (as Max Brehme)
Tony Bridgers	....	general foreman
Everett Chase	....	set designer
David B. Clark	....	paint foreman
Steve A. Hagberg	....	construction coordinator (as Steve Hagberg)
Vinson Jae	....	stand-by painter
Martin Milligan	....	on-set dresser
Stephan J. Pierano	....	stand-by greens (as Stephen J. Peirano)
Christopher Schultz	....	assistant property master (as Chris Schultz)
Andrew Settle	....	assistant property master
Daniel Simon	....	labor foreman
John Snow	....	paint supervisor (as John W. Snow)
Mark Robert Taylor	....	art department coordinator

Sound Department
Deb Adair	....	supervising sound mixer
Anthony Adams	....	sound effects editor
Kami Asgar	....	supervising sound editor
Bill W. Benton	....	supervising sound mixer
Scott G.G. Haller	....	dialogue editor
Eric Harwood	....	sound recordist
William B. Kaplan	....	production sound mixer
John Marquis	....	sound effects editor
Herwig Maurer	....	sound effects editor
Sean McCormack	....	supervising sound editor
Erin Oakley	....	adr editor
Eryne Prine	....	assistant sound editor
Jacob Riehle	....	assistant sound editor
Jon Wakeham	....	supervising adr editor
Cary Weitz	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Gary D. Bierend	....	special effects foreman (as Gary Bierend)
Wayne Eaton	....	special effects foreman
John C. Hartigan	....	special effects coordinator (as John Hartigan)

Visual Effects by
George Cawood	....	visual effects supervisor
Matt Ciaglia	....	visual effects artist
Fawn Fletcher	....	visual effects coordinator
T.J. Welch	....	visual effects supervising producer
Jonathan Winbush	....	visual effects artist (as Johnathan Winbush)

Stunts
Paul Eliopoulos	....	stunt coordinator
Jon H. Epstein	....	stunts
Natascha Hopkins	....	stunts
Dorenda Moore	....	stunts
Caryn Mower	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Alfred Ainsworth	....	video assist (as Alfred Ainsworth Jr.)
Dana Baker	....	best boy grip
Kent Baker	....	key rigging grip
Jerry C. Deats	....	best boy rigging grip
Don Devine	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Matt Floyd	....	rigging grip
Christopher Franey	....	rigging electrician
Melinda Sue Gordon	....	still photographer
Scott Graves	....	rigging gaffer
Matt Kennedy	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Al LaVerde	....	key grip
Joe Macaluso	....	company grip
David Maddux	....	chief lighting technician
Michael Martino	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Mike Moad	....	dolly grip
Brad Peterman	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Rick Senteno	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Gregory W. Smith	....	Steadicam operator (as Gregory West Smith)
Gregory W. Smith	....	camera operator: "b" camera (as Gregory West Smith)
Ryan Vanlossberg	....	dolly grip (as Ryan VonLossberg)
Dale White	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Jason Cox	....	set videographer (uncredited)
Michael E. Jacobson	....	set videographer (uncredited)

Casting Department
Maryellen Aviano	....	extras casting
Katie Taylor	....	casting associate
Natasha Ward	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Roberta Bilé	....	key costumer
Virginia Burton	....	costume supervisor
Steve Constancio	....	set costumer
Tamsin Costello	....	costumer
Phillip Howard	....	costumer
Christine Orth	....	costumer
Reiko Porter	....	costumer: Ms. Faris
Felipe Sanchez	....	costume illustrator

Editorial Department
Terel Gibson	....	additional editor
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Michael Pasqualone	....	assistant editor
John Persichetti	....	digital colorist
J.J. Titone	....	apprentice editor
Reza Amidi	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)
Jimmy Fusil	....	digital intermediate producer (uncredited)
Benjamin Sutor	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Brooks Arthur	....	music supervisor
Michael Dilbeck	....	music supervisor
Sheri Ozeki	....	music editor
Steven Scott Smalley	....	conductor (as Scott Smalley)
Steven Scott Smalley	....	orchestrator (as Scott Smalley)
Gabe Veltri	....	score mixer

Transportation Department
Randy Cantor	....	transportation co-captain
Joel Marrow	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Edward Allen	....	production accountant
Toni Basil	....	choreographer
Adam Bayless	....	production secretary
Steve Berens	....	head animal trainer
Colin Borden	....	production assistant
Amanda Columbus	....	assistant: Ms. Faris
Nicky Craft	....	assistant accountant (as Nicole Craft)
Erin Dicker	....	assistant: Mr. Wolf
J.D. Donaruma	....	assistant: Mr. Sandler
Sophie Engel	....	production assistant
Quentin Halliday	....	location manager
Lucy Herrera	....	assistant accountant
Jeff Ketcham	....	assistant: Mr. Covert
Gavin Kleintop	....	production assistant (as Gavin Keintop)
Christian Krieger	....	assistant location manager
Kym Langlie	....	unit publicist
Ken Lavet	....	location manager (as Kenneth D. Lavet)
Max Lavet	....	production assistant
Paul LaZebnik	....	assistant production coordinator
Murph	....	assistant: Mr. Giarraputo (as Brian Murphy)
Jennifer Perkins	....	assistant: Mr. Sandler
Lois Radcliff	....	craft service (as Lois B. Radcliff)
Willie Radcliff	....	craft service (as Willie L. Radcliff)
Anna Ramey	....	production assistant
Arestia Rosenberg	....	assistant: Ms. Parry
Ryan Salzman	....	production assistant
Matthew Shire	....	production assistant
Anthony Steinhart	....	production assistant
Jeremy Tate	....	assistant: Mr. Giarraputo
Judi Townsend	....	script supervisor
Cay Templeton	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Amanda Warren	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures (presents)
• Relativity Media (in association with)
• Happy Madison Productions
• Alta Loma Entertainment (in association with)

Distributors

• Buena Vista Sony Pictures Releasing (BVSPR) (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2008) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• LK-TEL (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (2009) (Japan) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2009) (Argentina) (all media)

Special Effects

• Framework Studio (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Gala Catering  catering
• Reel Team, The  loop group
• Sony Pictures Studios  post services
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate
• Panavision  Genesis digital cinematography
• DeLuxe Laboratories  prints
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes & dollies
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Framework Studio  titles
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• Movie Movers  star trailers
• Movie Movers  transportation
• NPI Production Services  payroll services - sound editors
• Star Waggons  hair and make-up trailers
• Star Waggons  wardrobe trailer
• i24P  dailies and color correction

Also Known As:

I Know What Boys Like (USA) (working title)
Untitled Anna Faris Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44141) | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Ireland:12A | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Malaysia:U (cut) | Peru:14 | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | Finland:S | Argentina:13 | Brazil:12 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

During Oliver and Shelley's date, she tells him that when voting she would not take Simon's opinion into consideration, but would listen to Paula and Randy. This is a reference to "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002), a reality show in which Katharine McPhee was runner-up after contesting.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the scene when the sorority girls are on the lawn talking about boys, Emma Stone's character Natalie has her glasses on for most of the scene, but for one shot back to her they are off, and then the cut back scene they are magically back on again without her arms even moving.

Quotes:

Carrie Mae: Do you guys know where the crapper is? I have to do a *very mysterious* thing in there...
[whispers]
Carrie Mae: drop some timber.

Movie Connections:

References "Battlestar Galactica" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Boys

Agreeable Time Filer for Late August

I went with my mother and my nine-year-old niece to see "The House Bunny" in the early morning in a relatively empty theater where there were only women. Of course it won't be the most memorable movie I've seen, but for late August, it's not all that bad.

Comedienne Anna Faris is perfectly cast as a carefree, big-haired and hare-brained Playboy bunny who after celebrating her 27th birthday (that's 59 in bunny years) at the Playboy Mansion, where she has lived much of her life, gets kicked out of there by yours truly, Hugh Hefner. With nowhere to turn, she looks at a sorority house that seems to resemble her previous house, only not as big. There, she accepts the job of a house mother to seven social misfits who make up the sorority Zeta Alpha Zeta. They need 23 more pledges before they are totally ousted as a campus sorority by the beautiful but snooty Pi Alphu Mu sorority.

Do the clichés sound familiar? Yes, they do. It seems like the creators of this movie grew up on "Revenge of the Nerds," one of my all-time favorite movies and the granddaddy of all jocks vs. nerds and losers who become winner comedies. So they decided to make a "Nerds" comedy a generation later with a feminist perspective. Faris's character, appropriately named Shelly Darlingson, first takes on all the wallflowers and makes them like her with flashy clothes, heavy makeup, costume jewelry, and platform shoes. At first, it is successful and boys fall for them. Soon enough, they see Shelly as frivolous and teach her to have brains as well as beauty. This leads Shelly to a forced, clumsy conversation with the man of her dreams (Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks). At the end of the movie, everyone wins except for the Pi Alpha Mu sorority.

There is a fine cast. Anna Faris perks everything up in what could have been a total lamebrainer. Her appearance and high voice get laughs, but when she does a dead-on "Exorcist" voice by saying everyone's names in order to remember them, that is the real deal. Colin Hanks and fellow Hollywood Offspring Rumer Willis, daughter of Demi Moore (and looks a lot like her) and Bruce Willis, provide able support. Katharine McPhee, the American Idol Runner Up of 2006, is made first ugly, then beautiful, as one of the sorority members. Listen for an "Idol" reference in which Faris tells Hanks she listens to Paula and Randy and that Simon is mean. The rest of the cast is amiable as well. We tend to know more about Shelly and the misfit sorority than the snobby girls or the hunky boys. Small parts by Beverly D'Angelo as a snide veteran house mother and Christoper McDonald as the prissy dean are provided nicely as well.

Now I would not put this on a must see list, but it is okay for a lazy day. As they dump out leftover movies for the summer, I would rather see this than a truly terrible one I was made to see with a friend - "Stepbrothers," where Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly did nothing but scream their heads off and I was so exhausted the night before that I fell asleep and could barely stay awake. For "The House Bunny," I was awake the whole time through.