Comedy Tonight
May. 23rd, 2003 07:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jlhThe comedies. A lot more silents here than the first list, but then, there are truly amazing silent comedies; it's too bad you have to be a film student or watch TCM on Sunday nights to see them. But hell, it's hard enough getting a lot of people to watch a B&W film, let alone a silent. And some annoying film purists made silent prints with no music, and let me tell you, it's really hard to laugh in a completely silent theater. Not to mention that that wasn't how the films were meant to be seen.
1 SOME LIKE IT HOT 1959 As good a movie as any to be at the top of the list. Brilliant from start to finish, and light as air.
2 TOOTSIE 1982 It ages really well. I don't think there is all that much that sailed over my head when I saw it at 13. Deepened my Gradutate-based crush on Dustin.
3 DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB 1964 That final shot!
4 ANNIE HALL 1977 The classic. Deserves all its praise, though Diane Keaton's wardrobe really shouldn't have started a fashion trend.
5 DUCK SOUP 1933 A lot of old comedies don't quite make modern viewers belly laugh, but the Marx Brothers--if you don't laugh, man, you're dead.
6 BLAZING SADDLES 1974 No question the funniest Mel Brooks.
7 M*A*S*H 1970 Where I learned the concept of the carpet matching the curtains.
8 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT 1934 Pulling down the walls of Jericho.
9 THE GRADUATE 1967 Again, that last scene. What are they going to do now?
10 AIRPLANE! 1980 Looks like I picked the last week to quit sniffing glue.
11 THE PRODUCERS 1968 Now I'm in pain! I'm hysterical, and I'm wet, and I'm in pain!
12 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1935 Marx Brothers, etc. etc.
13 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 1974 Where a horse neighing becomes a running joke. Saw it in the drive in when I was five. One of the first grown-up movies I ever saw in a "theater"
14 BRINGING UP BABY 1938 To Aja: Because it is. Because Kate never plays a character like that again, because Cary in that robe is funny, because it's all about sex but in a Freudian way.
15 THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1940 EWFS is an extended reference to this film, and there are quotes from it in nearly every chapter. I have written three papers on it.
16 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952 Moses supposes his toeses are roses . . .
17 THE ODD COUPLE 1968 Which I hadn't actually seen all the way through until quite recently. Usual Neil Simon brilliance, plus Walter Matthau/Jack Lemmon brilliance.
18 THE GENERAL 1927 One of the most controversial things about the original AFI list is that there is no Buster Keaton or Harold Lloyd, only Charlie Chaplin. If you would rather no sentimentality, I direct you to Keaton.
19 HIS GIRL FRIDAY 1940 My favorite film when I was 9-11, and the basis of my crush on Cary Grant. Where's my hat?
20 THE APARTMENT 1960 There are not enough good things in the world to say about this film. Pitch-perfect Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine at the top of their game. Great film, romance-wise.
21 A FISH CALLED WANDA 1988 I'm disapPOINTed!
22 ADAM'S RIB 1949 I actually don't like this one all that much. Battle of the sexes a little to pat for me, and Kate cut off all her hair.
23 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… 1989 This is the thing: they aren't actually ever just friends. Next time you see it, pay attention to Bruno and Carrie.
24 BORN YESTERDAY 1950 Judy Holliday. William Holden. George Cukor. That should be enough.
25 THE GOLD RUSH 1925
26 BEING THERE 1979 Which I always thought was an odd little movie. Can't collect my thoughts enough to be glib.
27 THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY 1998 Brett Farve!
28 GHOSTBUSTERS 1984 And a blockbuster, just absolutely HUGE at the time, and hysterical.
29 THIS IS SPINAL TAP 1984 And oh 'ow they danced at Stone'enge.
30 ARSENIC AND OLD LACE 1944 Sweet. Not hysterical, I didn't think.
31 RAISING ARIZONA 1987 There are ambitious Cohen brothers movies, and then there are just funny ones. This is one of the latter.
32 THE THIN MAN 1934 For everyone who thinks you can't have a story once the couple is together.
33 MODERN TIMES 1936
34 GROUNDHOG DAY 1993 Great conceit, great use of Bill Murray, and I like Andie MacDowell!
35 HARVEY 1950 People love this movie, but I find it annoying.
36 NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE 1978 The end, where we find out that Bluto becomes a senator? Brilliant.
37 THE GREAT DICTATOR 1940
38 CITY LIGHTS 1931
39 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS 1941 Where the title "O Brother Where Art Thou" comes from. The first Preston Sturges I ever saw. And hey, Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake!
40 IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD 1963
41 MOONSTRUCK 1987 I agree with Aja on this one. Leaves me flat.
42 BIG 1988 It's sweet and all, but Splash is a better film.
43 AMERICAN GRAFFITI 1973 Young Harrison Ford!
44 MY MAN GODFREY 1936 Carole Lombard cannot be denied, Aja.
45 HAROLD AND MAUDE 1972 Offbeat.
46 MANHATTAN 1979 The Bad Place, but in a creepy way, especially when you know what happens later.
47 SHAMPOO 1975 SO seventies.
48 A SHOT IN THE DARK 1964 Bleh, I hate Inspector Clouseau.
49 TO BE OR NOT TO BE 1942 Wow, I really should see this.
50 CAT BALLOU 1965 They used to show us this film and The Apple Dumpling Gang at grade school. Especially love Nat King Cole randomly wandering through as the balladeer.
51 THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH 1955 Actually sort of creepy, I think.
52 NINOTCHKA 1939 Garbo laughs! Plot is paper thin but hey, who cares?
53 ARTHUR 1981 Plot is paper thin and it shoes, but the acting makes up for it.
54 THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK 1944 More Sturges!
55 THE LADY EVE 1941 Even more Sturges! And Stanwyck and Fonda! And card hustlers! A truly great film.
56 ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN 1948 Abbott and Costello, and Laurel and Hardy, used to be on tv on Sunday mornings when I was a kid, so they remind me of sitting around in my jammies eating Cream of Wheat with my dad.
57 DINER 1982 See this and you'll know what all that other stuff was derived from. And hey, Barry Levinson.
58 IT'S A GIFT 1934 Not so much with the WC Fields, actually.
59 A DAY AT THE RACES 1937 However, there is not enough Marx Brothers in the universe.
60 TOPPER 1937 Cary Grant is really best when he's outside the story and knows more than anyone else, as here, as Philadelphia Story, as The Bishop's Wife.
61 WHAT'S UP, DOC? 1972 For everyone who doesn't think Barbra can be funny.
62 SHERLOCK, JR. 1924
63 BEVERLY HILLS COP 1984 The best Eddie Murphy film. He gets to be smart, AND funny, AND tough. "Tell him I have Herpes Simplex Ten, and he should get himself to a doctor before things start falling off on the man."
64 BROADCAST NEWS 1987 Where she doesn't end up with either of them.
65 HORSE FEATHERS 1932 I have absolutely no problem with all the Marx Brothers on this list. Nope.
66 TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN 1969 Very good early Woody Allen.
67 MRS. DOUBTFIRE 1993 Why is this here? WHY?
68 THE AWFUL TRUTH 1937 Again, the final scene! With the clock!
69 BANANAS 1971
70 MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN 1936 SUCH a classic. I do love Capra.
71 CADDYSHACK 1980 The first R rated movie I ever saw. Our theater was very lenient. I didn't even lie to my parents--they didn't realize it was R rated until I was home. I told them it was just because of the language.
72 MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE 1948 I agree with Aja, it should be higher because it is a riot. And there is no better wife than Myrna Loy.
73 MONKEY BUSINESS 1931 But where is Cocoanuts?
74 9 TO 5 1980
75 SHE DONE HIM WRONG 1933 Cary Grant impossibly young. Not so much about the Mae West, though.
76 VICTOR/VICTORIA 1982 It really stands up. And if Alex Karras can be gay, then hey, so can Ron.
77 THE PALM BEACH STORY 1942 Even more Sturges!
78 ROAD TO MOROCCO 1942 The road films are truly brilliant.
79 THE FRESHMAN 1925
80 SLEEPER 1973
81 THE NAVIGATOR 1924
82 PRIVATE BENJAMIN 1980 I actually really like this film, likely because of the ending, and because Goldie used her power to get this made, and because it has such a weird meandering plot.
83 FATHER OF THE BRIDE 1950 Poor Spence. Liz of course looks great. I wanted that dress for a long time.
84 LOST IN AMERICA 1985 You have to like Albert Brooks. If you do, it's a great film. If you're not sure, see Defending Your Life first.
85 DINNER AT EIGHT 1933 I finally saw this not too long ago, and man, it's a great film but I'm not sure it's actually a comedy. Though in it you can see how many actors were just not doing the transition to talkies that well.
86 CITY SLICKERS 1991 It's fine. It doesn't belong on this list.
87 FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH 1982 Such an important part of my adolescence, I can't even tell you.
88 BEETLEJUICE 1988 I actually quite like Winona.
89 THE JERK 1979 Steve Martin. I have SUCH a crush.
90 WOMAN OF THE YEAR 1942 This is very good, but Pat and Mike is still my favorite Kate/Spence.
91 THE HEARTBREAK KID 1972 I should really see this, actually.
92 BALL OF FIRE 1941 Just, a classic, really. Great premise, and Cooper couldn't be sweeter.
93 FARGO 1996 I love it, but is it a comedy?
94 AUNTIE MAME 1958 Where the original is so much better than the musical. I first saw this as a wee thing so it's very close to my heart.
95 SILVER STREAK 1976 The best of the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor films. Makes absolutely no sense but who cares?
96 SONS OF THE DESERT 1933 I can't even tell you if I've seen this one; all those Laurel and Hardy movies run together, like Abbott and Costello.
97 BULL DURHAM 1988 The speech! Back when we thought Kevin Costner could act. Men love this movie.
98 THE COURT JESTER 1956 The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle but the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.
99 THE NUTTY PROFESSOR 1963 I. hate. Jerry. Lewis.
100 GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM 1987 A bit heavy-handed. For truly funny Robin Williams, rent one of the stand up concerts or watch Mork and Mindy.
So, again with the Chaplin, but it's mostly the silents and a couple of Woody Allen films that I've missed. I can live with that.
1 SOME LIKE IT HOT 1959 As good a movie as any to be at the top of the list. Brilliant from start to finish, and light as air.
2 TOOTSIE 1982 It ages really well. I don't think there is all that much that sailed over my head when I saw it at 13. Deepened my Gradutate-based crush on Dustin.
3 DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB 1964 That final shot!
4 ANNIE HALL 1977 The classic. Deserves all its praise, though Diane Keaton's wardrobe really shouldn't have started a fashion trend.
5 DUCK SOUP 1933 A lot of old comedies don't quite make modern viewers belly laugh, but the Marx Brothers--if you don't laugh, man, you're dead.
6 BLAZING SADDLES 1974 No question the funniest Mel Brooks.
7 M*A*S*H 1970 Where I learned the concept of the carpet matching the curtains.
8 IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT 1934 Pulling down the walls of Jericho.
9 THE GRADUATE 1967 Again, that last scene. What are they going to do now?
10 AIRPLANE! 1980 Looks like I picked the last week to quit sniffing glue.
11 THE PRODUCERS 1968 Now I'm in pain! I'm hysterical, and I'm wet, and I'm in pain!
12 A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1935 Marx Brothers, etc. etc.
13 YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN 1974 Where a horse neighing becomes a running joke. Saw it in the drive in when I was five. One of the first grown-up movies I ever saw in a "theater"
14 BRINGING UP BABY 1938 To Aja: Because it is. Because Kate never plays a character like that again, because Cary in that robe is funny, because it's all about sex but in a Freudian way.
15 THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 1940 EWFS is an extended reference to this film, and there are quotes from it in nearly every chapter. I have written three papers on it.
16 SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952 Moses supposes his toeses are roses . . .
17 THE ODD COUPLE 1968 Which I hadn't actually seen all the way through until quite recently. Usual Neil Simon brilliance, plus Walter Matthau/Jack Lemmon brilliance.
18 THE GENERAL 1927 One of the most controversial things about the original AFI list is that there is no Buster Keaton or Harold Lloyd, only Charlie Chaplin. If you would rather no sentimentality, I direct you to Keaton.
19 HIS GIRL FRIDAY 1940 My favorite film when I was 9-11, and the basis of my crush on Cary Grant. Where's my hat?
20 THE APARTMENT 1960 There are not enough good things in the world to say about this film. Pitch-perfect Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine at the top of their game. Great film, romance-wise.
21 A FISH CALLED WANDA 1988 I'm disapPOINTed!
22 ADAM'S RIB 1949 I actually don't like this one all that much. Battle of the sexes a little to pat for me, and Kate cut off all her hair.
23 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… 1989 This is the thing: they aren't actually ever just friends. Next time you see it, pay attention to Bruno and Carrie.
24 BORN YESTERDAY 1950 Judy Holliday. William Holden. George Cukor. That should be enough.
25 THE GOLD RUSH 1925
26 BEING THERE 1979 Which I always thought was an odd little movie. Can't collect my thoughts enough to be glib.
27 THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY 1998 Brett Farve!
28 GHOSTBUSTERS 1984 And a blockbuster, just absolutely HUGE at the time, and hysterical.
29 THIS IS SPINAL TAP 1984 And oh 'ow they danced at Stone'enge.
30 ARSENIC AND OLD LACE 1944 Sweet. Not hysterical, I didn't think.
31 RAISING ARIZONA 1987 There are ambitious Cohen brothers movies, and then there are just funny ones. This is one of the latter.
32 THE THIN MAN 1934 For everyone who thinks you can't have a story once the couple is together.
33 MODERN TIMES 1936
34 GROUNDHOG DAY 1993 Great conceit, great use of Bill Murray, and I like Andie MacDowell!
35 HARVEY 1950 People love this movie, but I find it annoying.
36 NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE 1978 The end, where we find out that Bluto becomes a senator? Brilliant.
37 THE GREAT DICTATOR 1940
38 CITY LIGHTS 1931
39 SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS 1941 Where the title "O Brother Where Art Thou" comes from. The first Preston Sturges I ever saw. And hey, Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake!
40 IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD 1963
41 MOONSTRUCK 1987 I agree with Aja on this one. Leaves me flat.
42 BIG 1988 It's sweet and all, but Splash is a better film.
43 AMERICAN GRAFFITI 1973 Young Harrison Ford!
44 MY MAN GODFREY 1936 Carole Lombard cannot be denied, Aja.
45 HAROLD AND MAUDE 1972 Offbeat.
46 MANHATTAN 1979 The Bad Place, but in a creepy way, especially when you know what happens later.
47 SHAMPOO 1975 SO seventies.
48 A SHOT IN THE DARK 1964 Bleh, I hate Inspector Clouseau.
49 TO BE OR NOT TO BE 1942 Wow, I really should see this.
50 CAT BALLOU 1965 They used to show us this film and The Apple Dumpling Gang at grade school. Especially love Nat King Cole randomly wandering through as the balladeer.
51 THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH 1955 Actually sort of creepy, I think.
52 NINOTCHKA 1939 Garbo laughs! Plot is paper thin but hey, who cares?
53 ARTHUR 1981 Plot is paper thin and it shoes, but the acting makes up for it.
54 THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK 1944 More Sturges!
55 THE LADY EVE 1941 Even more Sturges! And Stanwyck and Fonda! And card hustlers! A truly great film.
56 ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN 1948 Abbott and Costello, and Laurel and Hardy, used to be on tv on Sunday mornings when I was a kid, so they remind me of sitting around in my jammies eating Cream of Wheat with my dad.
57 DINER 1982 See this and you'll know what all that other stuff was derived from. And hey, Barry Levinson.
58 IT'S A GIFT 1934 Not so much with the WC Fields, actually.
59 A DAY AT THE RACES 1937 However, there is not enough Marx Brothers in the universe.
60 TOPPER 1937 Cary Grant is really best when he's outside the story and knows more than anyone else, as here, as Philadelphia Story, as The Bishop's Wife.
61 WHAT'S UP, DOC? 1972 For everyone who doesn't think Barbra can be funny.
62 SHERLOCK, JR. 1924
63 BEVERLY HILLS COP 1984 The best Eddie Murphy film. He gets to be smart, AND funny, AND tough. "Tell him I have Herpes Simplex Ten, and he should get himself to a doctor before things start falling off on the man."
64 BROADCAST NEWS 1987 Where she doesn't end up with either of them.
65 HORSE FEATHERS 1932 I have absolutely no problem with all the Marx Brothers on this list. Nope.
66 TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN 1969 Very good early Woody Allen.
67 MRS. DOUBTFIRE 1993 Why is this here? WHY?
68 THE AWFUL TRUTH 1937 Again, the final scene! With the clock!
69 BANANAS 1971
70 MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN 1936 SUCH a classic. I do love Capra.
71 CADDYSHACK 1980 The first R rated movie I ever saw. Our theater was very lenient. I didn't even lie to my parents--they didn't realize it was R rated until I was home. I told them it was just because of the language.
72 MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE 1948 I agree with Aja, it should be higher because it is a riot. And there is no better wife than Myrna Loy.
73 MONKEY BUSINESS 1931 But where is Cocoanuts?
74 9 TO 5 1980
75 SHE DONE HIM WRONG 1933 Cary Grant impossibly young. Not so much about the Mae West, though.
76 VICTOR/VICTORIA 1982 It really stands up. And if Alex Karras can be gay, then hey, so can Ron.
77 THE PALM BEACH STORY 1942 Even more Sturges!
78 ROAD TO MOROCCO 1942 The road films are truly brilliant.
79 THE FRESHMAN 1925
80 SLEEPER 1973
81 THE NAVIGATOR 1924
82 PRIVATE BENJAMIN 1980 I actually really like this film, likely because of the ending, and because Goldie used her power to get this made, and because it has such a weird meandering plot.
83 FATHER OF THE BRIDE 1950 Poor Spence. Liz of course looks great. I wanted that dress for a long time.
84 LOST IN AMERICA 1985 You have to like Albert Brooks. If you do, it's a great film. If you're not sure, see Defending Your Life first.
85 DINNER AT EIGHT 1933 I finally saw this not too long ago, and man, it's a great film but I'm not sure it's actually a comedy. Though in it you can see how many actors were just not doing the transition to talkies that well.
86 CITY SLICKERS 1991 It's fine. It doesn't belong on this list.
87 FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH 1982 Such an important part of my adolescence, I can't even tell you.
88 BEETLEJUICE 1988 I actually quite like Winona.
89 THE JERK 1979 Steve Martin. I have SUCH a crush.
90 WOMAN OF THE YEAR 1942 This is very good, but Pat and Mike is still my favorite Kate/Spence.
91 THE HEARTBREAK KID 1972 I should really see this, actually.
92 BALL OF FIRE 1941 Just, a classic, really. Great premise, and Cooper couldn't be sweeter.
93 FARGO 1996 I love it, but is it a comedy?
94 AUNTIE MAME 1958 Where the original is so much better than the musical. I first saw this as a wee thing so it's very close to my heart.
95 SILVER STREAK 1976 The best of the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor films. Makes absolutely no sense but who cares?
96 SONS OF THE DESERT 1933 I can't even tell you if I've seen this one; all those Laurel and Hardy movies run together, like Abbott and Costello.
97 BULL DURHAM 1988 The speech! Back when we thought Kevin Costner could act. Men love this movie.
98 THE COURT JESTER 1956 The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle but the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true.
99 THE NUTTY PROFESSOR 1963 I. hate. Jerry. Lewis.
100 GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM 1987 A bit heavy-handed. For truly funny Robin Williams, rent one of the stand up concerts or watch Mork and Mindy.
So, again with the Chaplin, but it's mostly the silents and a couple of Woody Allen films that I've missed. I can live with that.
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Date: 2003-05-23 09:46 am (UTC)