|
Dad's Top
20 Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
|
Honorable
Mention |
|
 |
|
Dumb and Dumber
(1994)
For Harry
and Lloyd everyday is a no brainer.
Director: Peter Farrelly, rated PG-13 for language,
crude humor
  Starring:
Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Holly, Karen Duffy, Mike Starr,
Charles Rocket, Teri Garr, Victoria Rowell, Joe Baker
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"You know, Lloyd, just when
I think you couldn't possibly be any dumber,
you go and do
something like this... and totally redeem yourself!" -
Harry
Why watch this?
I expected this from the crazy Carrey, but it was Jeff Daniels
who surprised
me.
Plot Summary:
Loyd, a dim-witted limousine driver, falls for a beautiful woman
who accidentally leaves a briefcase at the airport after he
drives her there. Mistaking it for a forgotten item, Lloyd
convinces his equally clueless friend, Harry, to embark on a
cross-country journey to Aspen, Colorado to return it to her.
Unbeknownst to the two, the briefcase was actually intended as a
ransom payment, leading them into a hilarious and chaotic
adventure involving criminals and mistaken identities.
| |
Dad's Preview:
When I first sat through this film, it was painful. These two
dumb-butts and their moronic antics are THAT stupid. On my second viewing,
I relaxed and could appreciate the first-rate performances by
all actors involved. This is no
Ben-Hur for sure, but
there are some
really funny lines... that you'll quote and re-quote for quite some
time. So I stopped fighting it, and gave in. I love this flick,
there, I said it! Go figure. |
|
Katja
Motion Picture Corp., Krevoy/Stabler/
Wessler
Production;
New Line Cinema
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#20 Top |
|
 |
|
Way Out West
(1937)
They're
WILDWEST OUTLAWS of Trouble and Trigger Men
Director: Robert Zemeckis, rated Passed
Starring: Stan
Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Sharon Lynn, James Finlayson, Rosina
Lawrence, Stanley Fields, Vivien Oakland
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"I
think we've given that deed to the wrong woman. That's the first
mistake we've made since
that guy sold us the Brooklyn Bridge."
- Stan
Why watch this?
All their shorts and full-length films are classics. This is one
of their
best.
Plot Summary: Stan
and Ollie venture into the Wild West to deliver a gold mine deed
to its rightful owner, Mary Roberts. However, a crooked saloon
owner, Mickey Finn, and his wife, Lola, trick the hapless duo
into giving them the deed instead. Upon realizing their mistake,
the duo embarks on a comedic quest to reclaim the deed and
ensure Mary receives her inheritance.
| |
Dad's Preview:
By the time "talkies" (motion pictures with sound)
began, this
hilarious duo were already an experienced and beloved comedy
team. The pair starred in numerous short films and features. Here,
the two travel to the Wild West town of Bushwood Gulch to
deliver a deed to the daughter of their late partner. Of course,
they run
afoul of a shady saloon owner and his sassy wife who want to
steal that deed.
For one of
Laurel & Hardy's most entertaining 30-minute shorts, watch
the boys take a grand piano up some daunting stairs in
The Music Box (1932).
You'll enjoy it, too. |
|
Hal Roach Studios;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#19 Top |
|
 |
|
Foul Play (1978)
It's a highly dangerous comedy!!
Director: Collin Higgins, rated PG
Starring:
Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Brian Dennehy,
Dudley Moore, Rachel Roberts, Eugene Roche, William Frankfather
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"That's
right, honey. You've attacked... an innocent dwarf." - Lt.
Tony Carlson
Why watch this?
I can watch Chevy and Goldie all day.
Plot Summary:
Gloria Mundy is a mild-mannered librarian who becomes embroiled
in a murder plot after picking up a hitchhiker. She finds
herself pursued by mysterious figures and a seemingly clueless
police detective. As the situation escalates, the two must
uncover the truth behind the conspiracy before it's too late.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn made two films together, the other
being
Seems Like Old
Times (1980). Both are wonderful, light comedies that
feature their enjoyable chemistry. This film centers on several
topics: a girl
being wrongfully pursued, an overly-amorous detective, an albino
assassin, a dwarf, a different guy called "The Dwarf" and a friendly
pervert. It's a hilarious who-done-it romp with ton of laughs.
The scene in the temporarily hijacked limo is one of the
funniest ever! |
|
Edward K.
Millkis, Thomas L. Miller;
Paramount Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#18 Top |
|
 |
|
Airplane! (1980)
What's
slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall
buildings at a single bound?
Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, rated PG for language,
suggestive humor
Starring: Robert
Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd
Bridges, Robert Stack, Stephen Stucker, Barbara Billingsley
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"There's no reason to
become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your
flight. By the way,
is there anyone on board who knows how to
fly a plane?"
- cabin
announcement by Head Flight
Attendant Elaine Dickinson
Why watch this?
A superb comedy if you just want to laugh and not have to think.
Plot Summary:
(as if the plot matters...) When the crew and passengers of a
commercial flight fall victim to severe food poisoning, a former
fighter pilot, who is afraid of flying, must step up to the
challenge. With the help of a gruff air-traffic controller and
his old commander, he faces his fears and attempts to land the
plane safely. He navigates difficult weather and personal trauma
to ensure the lives of everyone on board.
| |
Dad's Preview:
"Surely, you must love this film?"... "I do... and please don't
call me Shirley". This is the spoof of all film spoofs, taking
aim at the lauded Airport film franchise. It's a series of absurd situations,
snappy one-liners, and it is ALL hilarious! You'll find
something you like amid all the segments, be it a sex-craved inflatable
autopilot, the ding-bat stewardess, or the airport control tower
loaded with morons and drug-addicts. And there are a slew of
Hollywood legends lending a hand including, Lloyd
Bridges, Peter Graves and Leslie Nielsen! |
|
Howard W.
Koch Productions;
Paramount Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#17 Top |
|
 |
|
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
(1985)
The Story of a
Rebel and His Bike.
Director: Tim Burton, rated PG
Starring:
Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane Salinger, Judd
Omen, Irving Hellman, Monte Landis, Damon Martin
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I wouldn't sell my bike
for all the money in the world.
Not for a hundred million,
trillion, billion dollars!" -
Pee-wee Herman
Why watch this?
It's childish, silly and mindlessly fun - sometimes, I just need that.
Plot Summary:
Pee-wee Herman, a man with a childlike innocence and an
extraordinary love for his bicycle, finds his world turned
upside down when his prized possession is stolen. Determined to
recover it, Pee-wee embarks on a whimsical, cross-country
adventure, encountering a diverse cast of characters and comical
situations along the way. His journey leads him to discover that
his bike is being used as a prop in a film, setting the stage
for a grand finale where he must retrieve it and face the
consequences of his audacious quest.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Somehow I stumbled across the children's show
Pee-wee's
Playhouse on TV. I was in my late
20's, and instantly loved the colorful, creative show. Then Pee-wee's
Burton film hit screens. You'll either
get it, or you won't. It's goofy and innocent, but there is an
underlying comedic sophistication.
Mr. Herman, with his heart on his sleeve, teaches us this:
Just be a nice, fun person to everyone you meet. And,
eventually, everyone will like you, even a gang of tequila-shootin'
Hell's Angels. Love your neighbors and
laugh a lot. |
|
Aspen Film
Society; Warner Bros.
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#16 Top |
|
 |
|
Wayne's World
(1992)
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll hurl.
Director: Penelope Spheeris, rated PG-13 for crude
humor
Starring:
Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere, Brian
Doyle-Murray, Laura Flynn Boyle,
Donna Dixon, Meat Loaf, Chris Farley
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"That bass player's a babe.
She makes me feel kinda funny, like when we used to climb the
rope in gym class." –
Garth Algar, speaking of
Cassandra
Why watch this?
Don't over-think it. Just sit back, and let this movie make you laugh.
Plot Summary: Wayne
Campbell and Garth Algar host a popular public-access television
show from Wayne's parents' basement. A slick television producer
discovers the show and offers them a chance to bring "Wayne's
World" to a wider audience. However, their journey from basement
to big time is fraught with challenges, testing their friendship
and artistic integrity.
| |
Dad's Preview:
There's much to love in this frolic through, rock and roll, as
seen from the couch of two goofy teens, just trying to set the
standard for slackery. Myers' positivism is as infectious
as Carvey's sheepish lack of confidence; all traits many guys
can relate to. What started as an excellent skit on SNL,
WW seamlessly
transitioned to the big screen. It's a heck of a
fun ride when
Bohemian Rhapsody is blasting! |
|
Lorne Michaels;
Paramount Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#15 Top |
|
 |
|
The
Blues Brothers
(1980)
They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God.
Director: John Landis, rated R for language
Starring: John
Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles,
Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, James Brown, John
Candy, John Lee Hooker, Twiggy, Charles Napier, Steve Lawrence,
Frank Oz
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Use of unnecessary violence in the
apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved." - Police Dispatcher
Why watch this?
Great blues music, edgy humor and the car crashes are off the charts!
Plot Summary: Newly
released convict brothers, Jake and Elwood Blues, embark on a
"mission from God" to save the Catholic orphanage where they
were raised from foreclosure. To do this, they must reunite
their old band and perform to raise the $5,000 needed to pay the
property taxes. Their efforts lead them on a chaotic adventure
across Illinois, encountering a series of zany characters and
being pursued by various groups, including the police, a
vengeful ex-girlfriend, and a neo-Nazi group.
| |
Dad's Preview:
How is it possible to take an Saturday Night Live skit and turn it into
a cinematic
spectacle?! On the heels of the raunchy
Animal House
(1978),
John Belushi had more cred with the studio execs, so he brought in John Landis
to direct. Beside being a wonderful homage to Chicago blues, it manages to be a
road/buddy, car-chase-filled action/comedy. Hell, there are even
a few Nazi's. Not
to mention cameo's from Carrie Fisher, James Brown, Twiggy, Ray Charles and the goddess of
soul herself, Aretha Franklin. |
|
Robert K. Weiss; Universal
Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#14 Top |
|
 |
|
Tommy Boy
(1995)
If at first you don't succeed, lower your standards.
Director: Peter Segal, rated R for language, crude
humor
Starring: Chris
Farley, David Spade, Bo Derek, Brian Dennehy, Dan Akyroyd, Rob Lowe,
Julie Warner, Sean McCann, Zach Grenier
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I can practically hear you
getting fatter." – Richard, to Tommy
Why watch this? I learned to never load an injured deer in your car's back
seat.
Plot Summary:
Tommy Callahan Jr., a somewhat naive and underachieving son of a
successful auto parts magnate, returns home to work in the
family business. However, after the sudden death of his father,
the company faces financial ruin and a potential takeover. To
save the factory and the jobs of its employees, Tommy embarks on
a cross-country sales trip to secure a large order for a new
brake pad division. He is begrudgingly accompanied by his
father's tightly-wound assistant, Richard.
| |
Dad's Preview:
This lovable film is simply great fun.
Farley and Spade are having a helluva good time. It really captures the chemistry between the unpredictable Farley
and deadpan Spade. It's like watching Abbott and Costello in
their heyday, but funnier. For a low budget flick, there is
a lot going on, plot-wise. It is part comedy, part romance, and
part road film. Farley's genius was leaning into his faults, and
getting folks to laugh at him. It will always sadden me
that he followed his idol, John Belushi, too perfectly, and now
all we can do is mourn those two amazing comedians. |
|
Lorne Michaels;
Paramount Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#13 Top |
|
 |
|
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
(1988)
If you see
only one movie this year...you ought to get out more often.
Director: David Zucker, rated PG-13 for
language, crude humor
Starring: Leslie
Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy,
O. J. Simpson, Susan Beaubian, Nancy Marchand, Raye Birk,
Jeannette Charles
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"It's true what they say:
Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano.
Sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." –
Frank Drebin
Why watch this?
To laugh... A lot. It's non-stop.
Plot Summary:
Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad investigates the attempted
murder of his partner, Nordberg. This investigation leads him to
uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during her
visit to Los Angeles. Frank must work to thwart the
assassination attempt, find out who shot Nordberg, and manage
his romantic entanglement with Jane Spencer, the assistant to
the suspicious businessman Vincent Ludwig.
| |
Dad's Preview:
I thought the silly
Airplane!
(1980) was
entertaining with its puns and
goofy skits and sight gags. It also starred straight-faced Leslie Nielsen. Why
Naked Gun impacted me so differently I cannot guess, but I
love this film. It is a spin-off from a failed TV show that was
surprisingly cancelled after 8 episodes. Nielsen plays dead-pan police Lt.
Frank Drebin. He bumbles his way through every scene with
hilarious skill (or lack of). Every gag and funny line feels new.
You'll find it hard to stop laughing. I DO recommend the two sequels -
they are almost as funny as the original.
|
|
Robert K. Weiss; Paramount Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#12 Top |
|
 |
|
Some Like It Hot
(1959)
The MOST comedy ever
made! The BIGGEST comedy ever made!
The HOTTEST comedy ever
made!
Director: Billy Wilder, rated Approved
Starring:
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Lack Lemmon, George Raft, pat O'Brien, Joe E.
Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, Joan Shawlee, Billy Gray, George E. Stone, Dave Barry,
Mike Mazurki
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Will you look at
that! Look how she moves! It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have
some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a
whole different sex!" - Jerry after Sugar strides by
Why watch this?
Marilyn. Monroe.
Plot Summary:
Two male musicians witness a mob hit and, to escape the
gangsters, disguise themselves as women and join an all-female
band heading to Florida. While maintaining their false
identities, one falls for the band's beautiful singer, Sugar,
while the other is pursued by a millionaire. Their attempts to
evade the mobsters and navigate these romantic complications
lead to a series of comedic and often precarious situations.
| |
Dad's Preview:
It really wasn't fair to Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Here they
give incredible performances, acting as male and female
characters (Lemmon was nominated for Best Actor, Curtis should
have been). They're incredibly funny as two cross-dressing mob
band members on the sly. But neither could hold a candle to
Marilyn. She's captivating. She sings. She's funny. She's sexy -
they never had a chance. In this
well-paced, bouncy joyride, I found myself smiling a lot and
laughing often. It sits on a ton of Best Of All Time film
lists, usually at the top. It certainly upped the sexuality ante
for films going forward. This is a delightful classic has that
left its mark on cinema. |
|
Billy Wilder,
Mirisch Co.; United Artists
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#11 Top |
|
 |
|
National
Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Every summer
Chevy Chase takes his family on a little trip. This year he went
too far.
Director: Harold Ramis, rated R for crude
humor, language
Starring: Chevy
Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Imogene Coca, Randy Quaid, John Candy,
Christie Brinkley
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Clark, let's just skip the
house of mud. I think Dodge City was enough fun for one day." -
Ellen Griswold
Why watch this?
This is the Griswald family origin story - this started it all.
Plot Summary:
Clark Griswold, hoping to bond with his family, decides to take
his wife Ellen and their two children on a cross-country road
trip from Chicago to the renowned Walley World amusement park in
California. Despite Ellen's preference for flying, Clark insists
on driving, believing it will be a memorable experience for the
family. However, the journey quickly devolves into a series of
comedic mishaps and escalating frustrations as everything that
can go wrong seems to do so.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Chevy Chase exited
SNL after one season. His first film was
Vacation. Nice move. He will be forever remembered as the
bumbling, Clark Griswald, an over-zealous dad (like we all were) who just wants the perfect
family event, in this case, a cross-country trip to the theme
park Wally World.
He is the living embodiment of bad dad jokes, secret lusts, and a
burning desire to impress his family. Of course, nothing goes
according to plans, but it's certainly
memorable, and that's great for the movie audience.
|
|
Matty Simmons;
Warner Bros.
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#10 Top |
|
 |
|
The General
(1926)
The tale of a
lad, a lass and a locomotive
Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, rated Passed
Starring:
Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick
Vroom, Frank Barnes, Charles Henry Smith, Joe Keaton, Mike
Donlin, Tom Nawn
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Please don't lie - I
don't want you to speak to me again until you are in uniform." -
Annabelle Lee, to Johnnie Gray, regarding his enlistment
rejection
Why watch this?
Before Chaplin, there was Buster Keaton, and he was a comedic
genius.
Plot Summary:
At the start of the American Civil War, Johnnie Gray, a train
engineer aboard The General, is rejected from service.
This brings shame upon him and infuriates his girlfriend,
Annabelle Lee. A year later, when Union spies seize The
General, Annabelle is captured and held captive. Johnnie
rushes to free her, using any means available including a
handcar and bicycle. Eventually Johnnie boards a locomotive
called the Texas, but accidentally leaves the Rebel troop
car behind. This starts an epic adventure where a lone man must
stop the Union army, get back his favorite engine, and win back
Annabelle Lee.
| |
Dad's Preview:
This film initially flopped
at the box office, however time has been very kind. Keaton
himself was very proud of this work. This chase
movie is a true work of comedic genius. The stunts and effects are
themselves choreographed motion picture art. It also semi-chronicles an actual
event in history, called the
Great Locomotive Chase. Today, many film historians and
societies rank this comedy classic as one of the greatest films
every made.
|
|
Buster Keaton
Prod., Joseph M. Schenck
Productions;
United Artists
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#9 Top |
|
 |
|
The Mask (1994)
FROM ZERO
TO HERO
Director: Chuck Russell, rated PG-13
Starring: Jim
Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck,
Richard Jeni, Jim Doughan, Orestes Matacena, Jeremy Roberts
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Kiss
me, my dear, and I will reveal my croissant. I will spread your
pate.
I will dip my ladle in your vichyssoise." - The
Mask
Why watch this?
Carrey is a force of nature in this zany role.
Plot Summary:
Stanley Ipkiss is a shy and unlucky bank clerk who stumbles upon
a magical mask that transforms him into a zany, green-faced,
cartoon-like alter ego. This new persona empowers Stanley to
seek revenge on those who mistreat him and pursue the glamorous
singer Tina Carlyle. However, his actions also attract the
attention of both the police and a dangerous gangster seeking to
exploit the mask's power.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Similar to Robins Williams' portrayal of the Genie in
Aladdin
(1992), this is the perfect marriage between
an outrageous comic book character and real-life comedian. Jim Carrey
literally IS
The
Mask! Add to that some cutting-edge CGI, and the result is pure
movie mojo. While wearing the mask, Carrey can change, literally, into
anything he desires. Lucky for us, this means countless personas and film
references. You'll catch a lot on the second viewing of this
comedy classic. |
|
Dark Horse Ent.,
Katja Motion Pics
Corp.; New Line Cinema
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#8 Top |
|
 |
|
City Lights
(1931)
HE RETURNS -And the
world rocks again with laughter!
Director: Charles Chaplin, rated G
Starring:
Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers, Al Ernest Garcia,
Hank Mann, Robert Parrish, Henry Bergman, Albert Austin, Eddie Baker
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Tomorrow the birds will
sing." - The
Tramp
Why watch this? This
is one of Chaplin's best. What a brilliant filmmaker.
Plot Summary: The
story follows the misadventures of the Little Tramp as he falls
deeply in love with a beautiful, yet blind, flower girl. The
Tramp endures various comedic tribulations, including a
tumultuous friendship with a wealthy, perpetually drunk
millionaire, in his earnest attempts to secure the money needed
to pay her rent and restore her eyesight.
| |
Dad's Preview:
There is so much richness to this little romance between the iconic
street tramp and a poor blind girl. When taken as a whole, the
amount of comedic timing and choreography required for each
scene is mind-boggling, but that is standard Chaplin fare.
You'll enjoy the opening scene at the statue dedication, the
nightclub dance chaos, the spaghetti dinner and my favorite -
the boxing match. It also features one of the most memorable romantic
stories on film. You will shed a tear during the final scene.
The entire film is simply mesmerizing. Don't miss it. |
|
Charles
Chaplin; United Artists
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#7 Top |
|
 |
|
Dead
Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
Laugh... or I'll blow your lips off!
Director: Carl Reiner, rated PG-13 for crude humor
Starring: Steve
Martin, Rachel Ward, George Gaynes, Reni Santoni, Carl Reiner and special
appearances by Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Burt
Lancaster, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart to name a few
noir stars.
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 100
#93 -
Dad's Full
(Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Dead Men Don't Wear
Plaid
"Carlotta was the kind of
town where they spell trouble T-R-U-B-I-L,
and if you try to correct them, they kill you." - Det. Rigby Reardon
Why watch this?
This Steve Martin comedy stands alone for its incredible creativity.
Plot Summary:
Hardboiled private eye Rigby Reardon is hired by a beautiful
woman to investigate the suspicious death of her scientist
father, who was killed over a secret cheese recipe. While
navigating 1940s Los Angeles, Reardon uncovers a sinister plot
involving lists of friends and enemies, encountering various
suspicious characters along the way.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Martin's SNL skits were getting stale. His first movie,
The Jerk
(1979),
has its moments, but didn't knock me off my feet. Next
Mr. Martin releases this
comedic effort... and Wow! The film's who-done-it plot consists of
inter-spliced scenes from many of
Hollywood's most famous noir films of the 1940's. We follow detective
Rigby Reardon as he encounters gangsters (Burt Lancaster,
Alan Ladd, Vincent Price) and femme fatales
(Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Bette Davis) on his way to solving the
big case. Rachel
Ward fogs up the camera as his sultry cohort. The film's editing
is so good, many
of you will never guess that Martin is interacting
with actors who have been dead for years. |
|
Aspen Film
Society; Universal Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#6 Top |
|
 |
|
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Everyone's
talking about Mary...
Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly, rated R for
language, crude humor
Starring:
Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott, Lin Shaye,
Jeffrey Tambor, Markie Post, Keith David, Sarah Silverman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I want a guy who can play
36 holes of golf, and still have enough energy to take Warren
and me
to a baseball game, and eat hot dogs, I'm talking sausage
hot dogs and beer, not Lite beer, but beer.
That's my ad, print
it up." - Mary
Why watch this?
This film has certainly grown on me. It's gross and crude, but
what the hell - it very much fits me.
Plot Summary:
Ted attempts to reconnect with his high school crush, Mary, whom
he hasn't seen since a disastrous prom night incident. He hires
a private investigator to find her, but the detective, Pat
Healy, also becomes infatuated with Mary and tries to win her
over by sabotaging Ted's efforts. This leads to a comedic
entanglement as various men, including Mary's friend Tucker,
resort to increasingly desperate and deceptive measures to
secure her affection.
| |
Dad's Preview:
This Farrelly brothers' effort is inappropriate, gross, sexually
over-the-top, yet somehow manages to be one of the funniest love
stories committed to film. Ben Stiller, per usual, plays the nice guy
who is too shy
and awkward to get the girl. Matt Dillon, as Healy, steals a lot of scenes,
yet it's the clumsy chemistry between Stiller and Diaz that
carries the film. That and the fact that no "dating disaster"
topics are off-limits for our demented filmmakers. My biggest
take-away: when somebody
offers you hair gel, just say, "No thanks." |
|
Michael Steinberg,
Bradley Thomas, Charles B.
Wessler,
Frank Beddor;
20th Century Fox
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#5 Top |
|
 |
|
Bridesmaids
(2011)
Save
the Date
Director: Paul Feig, rated R for crude humor,
language, sexual content
Starring:
Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, Ellie
Kemper, Jill Clayburgh, Wendy McLendon
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"This is such a stone-cold
pack of weirdos, and I am so proud!" -
Lillian
Why watch this? ...
the bridal shop scene after spicy Mexican food. OMG!
Plot Summary:
Annie's BFF is getting married. Though marriage has
eluded Annie, she's happy for her friend and eager to meet the
bridesmaids. One in particular, Helen, a rich, snobby trophy
wife, seems determined to oust Annie as maid-of-honor. As the
pre-wedding plans enfold, poor Annie seems to cause more harm
than good.
| |
Dad's Preview: Every time I watch this comedy, I realize
that this is a damn good movie.
My heart smiles seeing these ladies act opposite one
another. Scene after scene plays out all the classic tropes
pertaining to wedding disasters - from the female perspective. Wiig is
such a comedic force, and McCarthy devours every scene she's in.
These two may be the funniest two humans on the planet. |
|
Apatow
Productions, Relativity
Media;
Universal Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#4 Top |
|
 |
|
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
It was the
Deltas against the rules... the rules lost!
Director: John Landis, rated R for nudity, crude
humor, language
Starring: John
Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce,
Donald Sutherland, Stephen Furst, Bruce McGill, Karen Allen
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"What? Over? Did you say
"Over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is!
Was it over when
the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!" - Bluto
Blutarsky
Why watch this?
This film was THE FILM for me and all my McMurry College
frat brothers.
We could not get enough of it.
Plot Summary:
At Faber College in 1962, the rowdy Delta Tau Chi fraternity
finds themselves on "double secret probation" under the strict
Dean Wormer, who is determined to expel them from campus. The
Deltas, known for their unruly antics and low academic standing,
clash with the snobby Omega Theta Pi fraternity, who collaborate
with the Dean to achieve their expulsion. Despite the escalating
pressure and mischievous pranks, the Delta brothers remain
defiant.
| |
Dad's Preview:
Irreverent, absolutely. Tasteless, yep. Gratuitous, oh yea. All
that, and it
is happens to be one of the funniest films ever made. Director
John Landis wanted to
capture the wanton fraternity life that raged on college campuses
during the 1960's, and he used SNL's bright young comic, John
Belushi, to accomplish that feat. This anti-establishment romp
is one raunchy, uproarious scene
after another, building to an unforgettable climax that leaves
Dean Wormer and Faber College wounded forever. We loved every
second of it. |
|
Matty Simmons,
Ivan Reitman;
Universal Pictures
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#3 Top |
|
 |
|
The Gold Rush
(1925)
"The Picture I
Want to Be Remembered by." -Charlie Chaplin.
Director: Charlie Chaplin, rated Approved
Starring: Charlie
Chaplin, Georgia Hale, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Malcolm Waite,
Henry Bergman, Jack Adams, Frank Aderias
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I thought you was a
chicken!"
– Big Jim McKay,
as his hunger causes him to see things
Why watch this?
The entire film showcases Chaplin's non-verbal comedic genius.
Plot Summary:
During the Klondike Gold Rush, the little tramp ventures to
Alaska seeking fortune, facing harsh conditions and other
prospectors. He becomes entangled with a successful, but
memory-addled, prospector named Big Jim and a fugitive known as
Black Larsen. Amidst the struggle for survival, he falls for a
dance hall girl and strives to win her affection, despite a
rivalry with another suitor.
| |
Dad's Preview:
This is one of, if not the best, of Chaplin's "Little Tramp"
silent films. These masterpieces were a combination of small
intimate interactions to craft an elaborate comedy scene. Chaplin,
as the tramp, portrays a starving prospector trying to survive.
He winds up in a mining town and falls for a dance hall girl who
barely knows he exists. She initially makes fun of him around
her friends. Still, he dreams of
her, yet, she does not return his affection. Critics have long
lauded this as a comedy classic. I certainly agree.
Watch the full movie free
HERE on YouTube. |
|
Charlie Chaplin;
United Artists
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#2 Top |
|
 |
|
Ace
Ventura: Pet Detective
(1994)
To
Serve and Protect... Your Pets!
Director: Tom Shadyac, rated PG-13 for off-color
humor, sexual content
Starring: Jim
Carrey, Courtney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc, Dan Marino, John
Capodice, Troy Evans, Noble Willingham, Troy Evans, Raynor
Scheine
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"It's
all that Dan Marino's fault, everyone knows that. If he had held
the ball, laces out, like he was supposed to, Ray would never
have missed that kick. Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and
rot in hell. Would you like a cookie, son?" – Mrs. Finkle
Why watch this?
...
'cause it is one of the funniest films ever made.
Plot Summary:
Ace Ventura is a flamboyant, eccentric pet detective. He is
hired to find Snowflake, the missing mascot of the Miami
Dolphins. Ace employs his rather unique methods to track down
the aquatic mammal and finds himself entangled in a wider
mystery along the way.
| |
Dad's Preview:
I heard there was this outrageous young new comic named Jim Carrey
on the cable
show
In Living Color. This low-budget, comedic melee
was his first
feature film. Carrey's style sort of assaults you, and it
takes some getting used to.
This gut-buster is scene after scene of outrageousness. It also
is genius at work. Incidentally, the great
film critic Roger Ebert absolutely HATED this film. Like many
critics and viewers alike, he
just didn't get it. For me, it
never gets old. (Sidenote: the sequel just wasn't as funny.) |
|
Morgan
Creek Productions; Warner Bros.
|
|
|
|
Top 20
Physical/Slapstick Comedy Films
#1 Top |
|
 |
|
Modern Times
(1936)
LAUGH...
CRY and THRILL TO HIS GENIUS..!
Director: Charlie Chaplin, rated G
Starring:
Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford,
Chester Conklin, Hank Mann, Stanley Blystone, Al Ernest Garcia,
Richard Alexander, Cecil Reynolds
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"The Billows Feeding
Machine is a practical device which automatically feeds your men
while at work! Don't stop for lunch: be ahead of your
competitor. The Billows Feeding Machine will eliminate the lunch
hour, increase your production, and decrease your overhead." -
The Mechanical
Salesman
Why watch this?
Chaplin's best films are like watching choreographed art in
motion. This classic film is a real work of art.
Plot Summary:
The Little Tramp works at a merciless assembly line conveyor
belt, unable to keep up his repetitive job of turning two bolts
on every unit. He suffers a breakdown, then is mistaken for a
Communist and thrown into jail. Between jobs and jail, chaos
ensues, all blamed on the funny little man with oversized shoes.
Then he meets Ellen... and his heart is forever hers.
| |
Dad's Preview:
This is Chaplin's last film portraying the familiar Little
Tramp, and it's sheer perfection. As "talkies" hit screens, and the Industrial
Revolution changed America, Director Chaplin gives us some
biting prophetic wisdom about too much technology and greedy
corporations treating their employees like machine cogs. He also
interweaves a delightfully sweet romance between two vagabond
tramps destined to be together. Chaplin was a true genius at
physical humor and the timing of precise stunts, all designed to
get the audience to laugh out loud. I dare you to keep a
straight face during the Billows Feeding Machine test, skating
blindfolded in the department store or the Tramp's
unwilling song and dance performance at the restaurant.
Watch the full movie free
HERE on YouTube. |
|
Charles
Chaplin Productions; United Artists
|
|
|
|