Ten Seriously Funny Movies
- 1. GROUNDHOG DAY [93]
- 2. LIFE OF BRIAN [79]
- 3. THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK [44]
- 4. MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL [74]
- 5. MR HULOT'S HOLIDAY [53]
- 6. A NIGHT AT THE OPERA [35]
- 7. DR STRANGELOVE [63]
- 8. PLAYTIME [67]
- 9. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN [74]
- 10.ZELIG [83]
1. To coin a phrase: it's funny, and it makes you think.
2. The religious epic was overripe for send-up. "Welease Wodewick!"
3. Back in '44 they made a comedy about a girl who couldn't remember who had fathered her child.
It's still roll-on-the-floor funny. See it.
4. The medieval epic was...etc. I make no apology for quoting: "We are the knights who say 'ni'."
5. Through the 50s and 60s, this French guy, Jacques Tati, was continuing the tradition of the silent comedy. This one is very, very funny and utterly charming.
6. Everyone's favourite Marx movie - or second favorite, at least.
7. It starts with two aircraft copulating and ends with the end of the world. In between there are three acting performances, by Peter Sellars, George C.Scott, and Sterling Hayden, that are almost miraculously good.
8. Another of Jacques Tati's. Number 5 is set in a quaint seaside village; this one is set in a big-city office block and a new night-club. Watch out for that loose tile.
9. The peak of Mel Brooks's career, and of Gene Wilder's.
10. Woody Allen plays a human chameleon: a rare disorder that makes the sufferer begin to look like whoever he spends time with. He becomes famous and spends time with many other famous people. Funny and technically brilliant.
Wow! I've not seen Zelig or the Miracle of Morgan's Creek. Of the others, I enjoyed them all. Tati is one of my favorites, and of course The Marx Brothers. I'm looking forward to the two I haven't seen yet. Thanks!
You're very welcome, Unc. Good to meet another Tati fan. Any LandRovers in Traffic? - I can't remember.
Regarding Sturges, Lady Eve is one of my all time favorite comedies, and Sullivan's Travels is also great. I still have not seen MofMC yet, but I will definitely take your recommendation.
Yes, and unfortunately I've never met up with the two you mention. Good luck to both of us.
Bertie, I just rented MofMC, and it was hilarious. Definitely vintage Sturges with the madcap situations and the wonderful supporting performances especially the Constable (father). Thanks for the suggestion.
Tsk, tsk. I'll take Mel's The Producers over Young Frankenstein anyday.
But hey, I realize I'm in the minority here. Heck, anybody who has seen The Producers is probably in the minority... A shame.
Glad to see somebody remembers the fantastic Zelig.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I've noticed your comments elsewhere on YF vs TP, and I wondered if you'd get around to this list. I have seen TP, but it was many moons ago; perhaps if I see it again I'll appreciate it more. It'll have to go some to overthrow YF in my estimation though.
Saw ZELIG and Terry Gilliam's BRAZIL on a double bill and they both blew me away. What a great day at the movies that was!
You have EXCELLENT taste in comedies.
Thanks. Flattery is always welcome. And if I have excellent taste then I guess you do too - congratulations :-D
Thank you so much for listing MIracle of Morgan's Creek. I was looking online for funny movies to get for my daughter, who is in the hospital. Many, Many years ago I saw the film and loved it. The term Ratsky Watsky was always in my lexicon but I never ran into anyone who had experienced it in context.
I even tried to look for Betty Hutton films but never recognized the title. ( It does throw one off a bit) anyway, it's a wonderful movie and I'm glad to see it get the attention it deserves.
I also adore Groundhog Day. Meanwhile for very funny listening - checkout the HBO concert of Flight of the Concords. They are very funny!