Part 12/15:
The editing process involved cutting down a lengthy 175-minute rough cut to a tighter, more commercially viable version. Director George Roy Hill advised threading the film like a tree—shaking out unnecessary branches to focus on the core narrative. The first private screenings yielded an overwhelmingly positive, riotous response, especially among fraternity audiences, confirming the film’s potential popularity.
Simmons recounts the thrill of witnessing their audience's visceral reactions, with the film generating laughter, applause, and an undeniable buzz. The movie's success seemed assured, promising audiences a raucous, infectious comedy that pushed the envelope.