ANIMALISM

First “Elephant Man.” Now “Ratboy.” The concept sure seems familiar.

So how come director and Clint Eastwood chum Sondra Locke is trying to blame the film’s test-run fizzle on the fact that it’s not “mainstream”? Seems to me “Elephant Man” managed to lumber over that particular hurdle.

Maybe the problem is just the unfortunate choice of animals Locke foisted on the kid--most folks not being real fond of rats, after all. (And who doesn’t like elephants?!)

Maybe she should try again with a more sympathetic animal-human combo. Like maybe “Panda Woman,” “Squirrel Girl,” “Bush Baby Baby” or “Woodchuck Senior Citizen.”

LINDA WHITEHEAD

West Hollywood