Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by danj (A) on March 04, 2009 at 11:04:33

In Reply to: RE: Ya Gotta Laugh posted by Harmonia on March 02, 2009 at 19:27:36

I can hardly improve upon it.

I think the funniest film I've ever seen, other than a few of the best Three Stooges shorts, has to be Buster Keaton's classic "Sherlock Jr.", also on your list. I don't think this has been bettered in the 85 years since it was made. It's a work of pure hilarity and unfettered genius.

The French actor, Jacques Tati, made some hilarious films, the most memorable of which is "Mr. Hulot's Holiday." It was made in 1953 but could have been a silent as one need not hear it to enjoy it. When one watches the best of Jerry Lewis or John Candy one is seeing a lot of Jacques Tati.

I love Laurel and Hardy and one of my favorites from them is "Bonnie Scotland." The snuff scene, the one where Ollie sneezes the river dry, makes me laugh until it hurts. It's silly but wonderfully so.

All of "The Thin Man" entries with William Powell and Myrna Loy bring me great pleasure. They are fast paced and clever and the casting of Powell and Loy can't be topped.

My vote for the greatest American talkie comedy film of all time is difficult but I would have to nominate "It Happened One Night." I can't imagine any way this film could be improved upon. It's been the standard bearer since 1934.

I think the best comedies of the recent past are "Silver Streak, "Airplane", "Fargo", and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?".

And I've always had a weak spot for "No Time For Sergeants" and "Stripes." Neither is exactly high art but I find them both very funny, especially the former.

Edits: 03/04/09   03/04/09