Funny Films

[filkertom]

For the previous thread, I took a test that gauged what type of humor you have. One of its questions asked which of several movies you found funny. I was not a big fan of even seeing any of them, and all of them were, to my awareness, fairly crass comedies of very recent vintage. So I'm gonna turn the whole thing on its head.

What are your four favorite comedy movies? In my case, I'd say Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Kentucky Fried Movie, Young Frankenstein!, and Animal Crackers.

(Edit: Yeah, it's tough. Impossible, really. I reluctantly didn't name a bunch of films I could've thrown in for myself. And you guys are reminding me of more. But we're starting to edge near a Top Twenty Comedy list....)

Comments

[ratbastrd.livejournal.com]

I agree that all of those are very funny - some of my favorite movies in fact - but you do have to admit that Kentucky Fried Movie, if not the others, pretty much does fit the definition of "crass." Hysterical certainly, but crass nonetheless...

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

I actually disagree. In a world with There's Something About Mary, the Jackass movies, and Martin Lawrence and Adam Sandler, I disagree. My favorite parts of KFM are the newscast, which is just so freaking funny I can't breathe, the preview parodies (not merely Catholic High School Girls In Trouble but also That's Armageddon!), and A Fistful of Yen, which is both a brilliant satire of and a pretty darn good homage to Bruce Lee movies, as well as having some of the best visual gags ever (e.g., the bleeding wall, the transmission, the little man with the microphone...).

[ruisseau.livejournal.com]

Borat (no really. I have never laughed this hard EVER)
Spaceballs
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Road to Wellville

I think this comment reveals my youth. Oh dear.

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

I hated Spaceballs (as I mention below) but I adore Black Adder and love your icon! :-)

[blueeyedtigress.livejournal.com]

"The Court Jester" (Danny Kaye)
[Or anything with Danny Kaye! I adore his comic timing!]

"The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (Honestly, anything "Wallace & Gromit" is brilliant; for refined technique, though, this is the one to see)

"Duck Soup" (The Marx Brothers)

"Bedazzled" (the 1967 one with Peter Cook)

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

"The Court Jester"! How could I forget to list this? *headdesk* Funny, sweet, and Best. Hollywood. Duel. EVER!

[random314.livejournal.com]

I don't watch very many comedy movies, probably because the crass material Hollywood has been churning out doesn't suit me at all. For me, I'll choose Monty Python and the Holy Grail (a major influence on me as a young adult), Arsenic and Old Lace, Young Frankenstein, and Throw Momma From a Train. I have to admit the last is a bit fuzzy on the crassness border, but I didn't want to use two Monty Python movies (I am also very fond of The Life of Brian...)

[devospice.livejournal.com]

All very funny. But my favorites have always been:

Spaceballs
UHF
Airplane

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

You absolutely have to be kidding me. Four?

...OK. It's going to be four representatives more than anything else, I think, but here goes:

National Lampoon's Animal House. Every college movie since Animal House has tried to be Animal House, and absolutely none has even come close. Plus, Vir Cotto as a pledge.

Blazing Saddles. Definitely a representative, standing in for Mel Brooks's entire body of work, but a family favorite in my house, which gives it the nod.

Duck Soup. Edges out Horse Feathers, Animal Crackers, A Night At The Opera (though the scene with the steward really makes this a tough call) and A Day At The Races as my favorite Marx Brothers film, and since I could rattle off five brilliant Marx comedies, the Marxes definitely deserve a spot as one of the four.

...And this last one's a toughie, because I've been going for representative, so I can't exactly say one of the other Marxes or another Brooks. Monty Python And The Holy Grail probably deserves it, but I think I'm overbalancing my list in one direction. The Princess Bride isn't really a comedy per se, but I can watch it over and over and it makes me laugh, so might deserve a spot too. Doctor Strangelove might be a good addition, because it's serious dark humor to contrast with the lighter fare (so to speak) of the other three.

(Just call me Rob Gordon.)

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I don't know that every college movie since Animal House has tried to be it, but a whole lot have. (Note that on my list is a flick that has at least some roots in AH, Real Genius.)

I've long wished that at some point, the B5 crew had filmed a script with each of the principal actors playing as hir best-known prior role; e.g., Vir's lines, delivered as Flounder; Lennier's as Will Robinson, etc. It would have been a classic of comedy gold.

in no particular order

[sylverwolfe.livejournal.com]

The Villain
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Young Frankenstein
Snatch

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

The Princess Bride, Real Genius, Little Shop of Horrors (1986, Rick Moranis/Ellen Greene version), and a tie between a score of others (most of Monty Python, much of Woody Allen's early oevre, much of Mel Brooks' work, Singing in the Rain, a good chunk of Bill Murray's work, Back to School...this spot is just clogged with potential)

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

I almost said, "Throw in an extra musical". Little Shop, Singin' in the Rain, and South Park: The Movie would be my top choices there, with Disney's Aladdin right behind.

hmmm

[bathtubnz.livejournal.com]

Top Secret, Princess Bride, maybe Naked Gun, Monty Python and the Holy Grail...

Hard choices.

[sdelmonte]

Holy Grail is definitely up there. It's certainly the funniest Python film (though Life of Brian might be a better work of commentary and filmmaking).

Two films I can watch over and over, Back to the Future and Ghostbusters get honorable mention since they rely on humor, but I wouldn't call them comedies.

Spaceballs never fails to keep me watching and laughing, as overly broad as it is.

Others on my list would be Some Like It Hot, The Odd Couple, The Emperor's New Groove (which we saw on your recommendation, Tom), the Hot Shots films, and Galaxy Quest.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

You raise an excellent point -- there are a number of movies which have lots of laughs but aren't necessarily "comedies". BttF, GB, Princess Bride, Galaxy Quest, Singin' in the Rain, things like that. I guess that's where the hyphen comes in. ;)

And I'm glad you liked The Emperor's New Groove. I still think it's a hoot and a half.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

The Librarian (sequel being aired this weekend! *bounce*)
Victor/Victoria
Wallace and Grommit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Chicken Run

nerdgirl runners up: Emma and Much Ado About Nothing

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I just got through noshing on a run of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN last night on some cable channel or other, so this thread is rather well-timed for me. (Teri Garr in a filmy nightgown and a German accent...rrowwr!) That's one on my list. I'll also add another vote for MONTY PYTHON & THE HOLY GRAIL, especially since my Songbird and I are booked to catch the Atlanta run of SPAMALOT! in February. The other two slots are kinda hard to fill; there are so many films that have made me laugh in varying degrees of intensity. I have fond memories of FOUL PLAY with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn, although that was more of an adventure comedy than a gut-buster. Bob Hope & Bing Crosby's "Road" flicks also consistently produce at least a few chuckles, but I can't pick just one. And I can't believe only one other poster has yet mentioned AIRPLANE!

[sdelmonte]

I loved AIRPLANE! but it's been ages since I saw it, and I hesitate to put it on my list until I lose that sneaking suspicion that it hasn't aged well.

[xap]

No particular order:
Arsenic & Old Lace
Night At the Opera
Noises Off
MP/Holy Grail

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Add me to the list of Danny Kaye Fans, especially "Court Jester".

I love "Holy Grail" but I also love "Life of Brian" especially the scene where he tells the masses "You've got to work it our for yourselves!" and they all echo "Yes, we've got to work it out for ourselves!" (pause) "Tell us more!"

I must be the only person in fandom who just *hated* space balls. When I saw it I sighed "Mel, Mel, Mel! You can do better!!"
I guess his other movies including "Young Frankenstein" would be on my list of favorite comedies, were crass at times but still elegent. Space Balls just seemed way TOO over the top to me. I admit I love the scene where the short Darth Vader character is playing with the action figures. It is quite literally the only thing I remember liking in the movie.

On my list would also be "Tampopo" which I think is just really funny. I love lots of bits but especially the running theme of the little old lady who squeezes the fruit. Anyway - I like that one a lot if you include foreign films.

It would be hard to name a favorite Marx Bros movie since I went through a total Marx-nutty-fangirl phase. I guess if I had to pick one it would probably be the one on the ship (is that "Horsefeathers?" I forget since I haven't seen them in years) but the one where they hide in the kippered herring barrels and impersonate Maurice Chevalier and the great "a little snoop" mustache trimming bit and... lots of fun stuff. I believe it also has a wonderful Margaret Dumont / Groucho wooing bit with the wonderful line "That's what I always say - loves comes in your door when money comes inuendo!" (sorry if I misquoted it but you know the line I bet)

A favorite of Ed's that I quite like too is "Start the Revolution Without Me" but then I am a huge fan of Gene Wilder's.

Heh. Thanks. Lots of fun to think of all these movies!

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Favorite bit in Life of Brian is the very next line: "You're all individuals!" "YES, WE'RE ALL INDIVIDUALS!" "... I'm not." "SHUT UP!"

[partiallyclips.livejournal.com]

In terms of sheer joy they have brought me, the laughs again and again, and the influence they have had on my own sense of humor, these are the films and the order:

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Princess Bride
Blazing Saddles
Monty Python's Life of Brian

[ladystarblade.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm a huge fan of several movies already listed (MP & the Holy Grail, Spaceballs, Princess Bride, Animal House, Galaxy Quest, Emperor's New Groove...classics all), but I'll throw in a few newcomers...

Finding Nemo--The scene where Dory "speaks" whale had me laughing so hard that the little boy behind me was asking his mom if I would be okay.

Shrek--How Fiona got the eggs to make for breakfast. Point, set, match.

Bringing Up Baby--Hepburn at her daffiest and Grant in a frou-frou robe. Need I say more?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show--Anyone who thinks this wasn't played for laughs needs a refresher course in observation skills.

And I know I missed a whole lot of other worthy ones, but four is four, and there they are.

[knitmeapony.livejournal.com]

Oh man, Bringing Up Baby was a big bond-with-the-sister movie for so long. I need to get the DVD.

Comedies?

[illusionmajik.livejournal.com]

hoo booy

ok, My list:
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum (with Zero Mostel)
Emperor's New Groove
MST3K the movie (just cause they did one ;) )
Mallrats
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

ok that's me
hehe

[knitmeapony.livejournal.com]

Thank you for Smoking and The Producers both made me laugh 'til my stomach hurt.

[ladystarblade.livejournal.com]

LOL, I'd forgotten about Thank You For Smoking...I saw it just recently and I laughed so hard I was crying!

[trdsf.livejournal.com]

Ow. In no particular order, these are movies that have me off the couch and pounding the floor reliably:

• Duck Soup
• The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
• Young Frankenstein
  Wow, I guess I need a color film now... I like Kentucky Fried Movie (and Amazon Women on the Moon just a scootch better), Monty Python/Holy Grail, Curse of the Were-Rabbit (one of the exceedingly few movies I saw in the theater more than once during its initial run), It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World... but I think all in all, I have to round it out (by a hair) with
• Airplane!

Man, that's harder than it sounds...

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Ah. Well that explains why it looked familiar but didn't immediately ring a bell. (however, most of my Black Adder DvDs are in storage so haven't seen them in ages!)

[purpleranger.livejournal.com]

At the moment, the only comedy that I would definitely put in my top four is WHAT'S UP, DOC?

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

There are a lot of movies already mentioned that I love to bits. However...

The Ritz
Harvey and
Shakespeare in Love


are on my DVD list as 'comedies' and haven't got a mention so far, and I love them all. They also make me howl with laughter.

The fourth one... oh, it could be Bringing up Baby, The Phildelphia Story, Kung Fu Hustle, Team America: World Police, Galaxy Quest, anything by the Marx Brotehrs, Monty Python and the Holy Grail/Life of Brian. And some of the films I find funniest are not comedies, such as the Lethal Weapon series.

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

Man, I HATE trying list my favorites... its so hard to paint movies with the same brush for comparison.

First off, I'm with MEW.. I HATED "Spaceballs" over all. It has its moment (the scene with John Hurt in the bar kills me, most cause its so unexpected). But that came out just after we did "Once and Future Jedi" and frankly I thought our bits were as funny if not funnier than Mel's.

Hmm..

Here's a perfect example of trying to compare movies. "Young Frankenstein" vs "Blazing Saddles". YF is a much better movie, as in it has an over all plot that hold together and lives in its own little universe where it makes sense. Also, much better performances and probably over all better actors. BS, on the other hand is a much funnier piece on a "Laughs Per Hour" basis. And this is because its really just a series of themed gags all loosely held together. I love both films with a white hot passion.

I discount films like "Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum", "Noises Off" and such, mostly cause I know the plays very well and all the funny comes from the play just put onto film.

I LOVE "Kentucky Fried Movie" and "Amazon Women on the Moon" but again, not so much movies as real good sketch comedy bits.

Then there are the ZaZ Films. "Airplane" and "Top Secret". And if you haven't see "Top Secret" please do, really. The level of humor is amazing and the jokes they pull off just slay me every time. Hard not to include them on a 'funniest' list.

"Duck Soup". "The Great Dictator", "The General"... man. Again, if ANY of you have NOT seen these films.. GO DO IT NOW! All the films we're talking about owe there lives to these films.

Now, cruder films. "Porky's", "Animal House", "Jackass" all are "Smart Crude" films and yes, I laugh my ass off.

So.. Hmm.. So.. how to pick? I will pick from memory of the experience of seeing them. What films, when I think back about sitting in a theatre and LAUGHING my ass off come to mind first. Those would be:

- Young Frankenstein
- Real Genius
- Court Jester
- Holy Grail

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Re: Space Balls - Oh good! I'm not the only one. ;-) And yes, I think your parody was undoubtedly funnier. I still remember the early trek ones you guys did! :-)

Duck Soup! Yes yes!

A sweet comedy I was surprised by how much I liked was "Groundhog Day". I really loved the central message/theme that you can make conscious choices in how you live your life and they affect what happens to you. (and who could resist the running gag of having to wake up to "Babe, I got you babe" every single morning!! (grin)

I agree that although BS was cruder than YF it is very funny. There are some gags in it that I just love including "...they're always coming and going and going and coming... and always too soon..." (grin)

I don't really remember Real Genius but the other 3 on your list are near the top of my short list too. :-)

[galicola.livejournal.com]

Well, my top four two are:
A fish called Wanda
Danny Kaye's Knock on wood (Yes, I prefer that over Jester).

I have several movies fighting for the other places (among them, Python's Holy Grail & Life of Brian, Galaxy Quest, Spaceballs, The Gods must be crazy).

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Haven't seen that Danny Kaye one yet! I liked Inspector General too, but the Court Jester got me a little more.

And Fish Called Wanda, that IS a good one. I adored John Cleese in that and recall being delighted with how wonderful Jamie Lee Curtis was in a comedic role. She was also the reason I enjoyed "True Lies".

[danruk.livejournal.com]

Two of your four are on my list too! MOnty Python's "Grail" and "Young Frankenstein" are classics that I can watch over and over and OVER again, and sTILL laugh at.

Two others that tickle my funny bone, biased enough "Kangaroo Jack" (go figure, I'm a roo!) and B-movie horror-come-comedy "Fright Night" is an off kilter but crazy pleasure.

Mix that in with any zucker-abrams style comedy (Airplane, Hot Shots, etc..) even if not DONE by the zuckers (Scary Movie, Top Secret, Spy Hard etc..) and add a dash of MST3K'ing.. and you have good recipe for fun movies.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Two others that tickle my funny bone, biased enough "Kangaroo Jack" (go figure, I'm a roo!)

*grumblegrumblegrumble*