Lampoon buys 'Electric'

Claypool to direct jam band film

By DAVE MCNARY

National Lampoon has purchased its first feature film, acquiring "Electric Apricot," a comedy about the jam band phenomenon that marks the feature directorial debut of Les Claypool.

Company plans to release the title theatrically this year as "National Lampoon Presents Electric Apricot -- Quest for Festeroo." Claypool's a singer and bassist best known for his work with the band Primus.

National Lampoon's also planning a release this year for its first inhouse feature production, "National Lampoon's Bagboy," starring Brooke Shields, Dennis Farina and Larry Miller, as it moves into producing its own fully financed comedies. Company's been involved in more than two dozen pics starting with 1978's "Animal House," usually through licensing.

It also recently formed distribution and homevid arms, National Lampoon Releasing and National Lampoon Home Entertainment, with Tom Daniels, former CEO of MediaWorks, heading the divisions on a day-to-day basis.  Daniels reports to topper Daniel Laikin.

The operations will release up to 12 titles annually -- four original movies and up to eight acquisitions. Distribution will be handled independently, with some titles receiving broader distribution in partnership with major studios.

"Entering the theatrical and home entertainment distribution businesses falls in line directly with our larger strategies of building the brand and reinforcing our relationships with the young adult audience," Laikin said.