I’ve been keeping this under wraps for years, but, well, I don’t like most of today’s comedy flicks.
Case in point, last night I finally started streaming a popular 2018 comedy, but I switched to Tom Hanks’ distinctly non-comedic SULLY less than 30 minutes into it. Sigh.
And, here I am focusing on writing comedy scripts …
What’s wrong with me?
I don’t like stupid humor. And I don’t like humor at the expense of a character getting hurt (yeah, never did like the THREE STOOGES).
I like smart writing and smart characters verbally sparring. I revel in the classic comedies of the 20th century. Here are nine favorites (with two being from the 21st century):
It Happened One Night (1934) with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert
Dunking donuts into coffee properly and effective hitchhiking are just two “lessons” in this film. But more important lessons are the cost of privilege and the cost of assumptions.
My Man Godfrey (1936) with William Powell and Carole Lombard
This film’s hilarious take on homelessness and privilege is still surprisingly relevant today.
A New Leaf (1971) with Walter Matthau and Elaine May
Elaine May and Jack Ritchie wrote this wonderful and simple film about a newly impoverished rich playboy (Matthau at his droll finest) marrying for money and murder.
What’s Up Doc? (1972) with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neil
My millennial daughter played this movie for friends at numerous sleepovers. A perfect blend of slapstick and smart, often ironic, banter.
Raising Arizona (1987) with Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter
A movie that shows off the best of the over-the-top brilliance of the Coen brothers!
Grosse Point Blank (1997) with John Cusack and Minnie Driver
One of my favorite concepts of all time: A hitman goes to his 10-year high school reunion.
Galaxy Quest (1999) with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman(!), Tony Shalhoub(!), et al
By Grabthar’s hammer, this perfect comedy is packed more quotable one-liners than 99.5% of all films.
Legally Blonde (2001) with Reese Witherspoon
Another terrific concept: Send an apparently shallow airhead to Harvard Law School. A great reminder that looks can be deceiving.
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019) with Jillian Bell
I didn’t expect to love this film, but what a terrific (and very funny film) film about finally growing up.
This is not my complete list of favorite comedies by any means, but I finally am opening admitting to being disappointed in most of what passes for comedies today.
What are your top comedies? What have I overlooked or judged unfairly?
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