Posted on 08/31/2017 11:11:11 AM PDT by Phlap
this year BBC Culture decided to get serious about comedy. We asked 253 film critics – 118 women and 135 men – from 52 countries and six continents a simple: “What do you think are the 10 best comedies of all time?” Films from any country made since cinema was invented were eligible, and BBC Culture did nothing to define in advance what a comedy is; we left that to each of the critics to decide. As always, we urged the experts to go with their heart and pick personal favourites, films that are part of their lives, not just the ones that meet some ideal of greatness.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEE_-C0Nwjw
From the cutting room floor of “Return of the Pink Panther”.
The ‘pup-out’ lighter...
Woody Allen’s “Bananas”, “Take the Money and Run” and “Sleeper” are all hilarious and all WAY better than “Annie Hall”, which sucked.
No, “Back to School” wasn’t on the list and neither was “Porky’s”, both of which should’ve been. I’d have rather ranked them by decade, because each has its own sensibilities. Some of those films I’ve never heard of (and recent). I was floored that “Step Brothers” was on the list. It was utterly vile and I switched it off about 10 minutes in.
Eddie Murphy was in top form in the ‘80s, but seemed to drop off due to his poor choices of films. Has he even done stand-up in 25 years ? His brother Charlie was great at telling stories, sadly he just passed recently. Chappelle was great, too. Alas, he burned out doing his show. It would be interesting to see if he could do it again, but it’s hard to recapture the magic.
George Carlin could probably be put in the giants category, and he has also since passed. Gallagher was more amusing in the ‘80s (plus both he and his brother were doing the same schtick).
I’ve seen some of Red Skelton’s stuff, but I think it’s silly and dated (the latter, of course, is hard to avoid). Abbott & Costello I put in the same category. I don’t think it’s fair, however, as I cited above, to put different era films and comedians into the same competitive category.
Jackie Mason still does some bits, though he gets ignored because he’s Conservative.
Sarah Silverman I regarded as “OK”, but the older I get, the closer I seem to feel that Jerry Lewis was right and that most women aren’t funny in the comedic sense. Other than for Lucille Ball, who was often a bit too slapstick, a lot of women have to cross the line into obscene in order to register as funny. Once they’ve done that, they’re not really ladylike. Cursing women is a decided turn-off to me.
Bill Cosby should be in the giants, but his dark and twisted personal life as a sex predator/serial rapist has and will cast a permanent shadow over him and his work.
With respect to Seinfeld, I enjoy Larry David’s show, even though Larry David himself is a prick. I wonder how much different “Seinfeld” would’ve been if David had taken on the Costanza role that he was the model for instead of Jason Alexander. I think David would’ve overshadowed Seinfeld himself.
Birdie num nums.
Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke (1978) - “Whatch you lookin at man?” (Strawberry Scene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoedlXS3XD4
I bought a ticket to the movie on two different locations with an attractive young pot dealer. I was young and she was , well you get the picture. i don’t remember the movie, but I remember entering the theatre. Wonder what happened to her?
Good movies you may believe them to be, I will not argue.
Comedies they are not.
True. True.
Sarah Silverman I regarded as “OK”, but the older I get, the closer I seem to feel that Jerry Lewis was right and that most women aren’t funny in the comedic sense. Other than for Lucille Ball, who was often a bit too slapstick, a lot of women have to cross the line into obscene in order to register as funny.
Carol Burnett and Phyllis Diller were very funny without resorting to obscenity. Joan Rivers was very funny too, but she did occasionally get a little risque. Ruth Buzzie was okay but not "great".
I was never a big "Lucy" fan, but I recognize that others found her to be very funny.
Bill Cosby should be in the giants, but his dark and twisted personal life as a sex predator/serial rapist has and will cast a permanent shadow over him and his work.
Despite his personal life, as a talent he was quite good. Also among the "giants" I believe we should have George Burns, Jack Benny, and Groucho Marx. Groucho didn't really do a standup routine, but he as much did one as the host of "You bet your life." Close enough, and he was absolutely witty off the cuff.
I wonder how much different “Seinfeld” would’ve been if David had taken on the Costanza role that he was the model for instead of Jason Alexander. I think David would’ve overshadowed Seinfeld himself.
I don't know. Jason Alexander did make a very good character, and I'm not really familiar with Larry David as a comedian, but he did produce a very good show. I still try to catch an episode just about every night.
It's not the funniest comedy show i've seen, (My favorite is Beverly Hillbillies) but it was pretty good. (Honorable mentions are "Big Bang Theory" and "2 1/2 Men.")
I go back and watch some of the Dean Martin Roasts on YouTube. Those things are superb, and to see people like Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater and Hubert Humphrey sitting at the same table without politics being thrown in their faces (or just a light jibe). Foster Brooks makes Rickles look like a rank amateur with his drunk act.
Today, so much that passes for comedy is just ugly, weaponized hate directed at a majority of middle America that the left loathes. Letterman, who once was funny, just got nasty and vicious and he managed to be succeeded by one of those weaponized scumbags, Colbert. Calling him using his own vile attack, his soulless mouth is the left’s cockholder. 10 or 20 years ago, filth like him wouldn’t have been considered for network tv under any circumstances.
Some of my favorites that I would have thought were obscure cult favorites made the list, like Amarcord.
However, awful as they were, I've rarely laughed harder than in Dumb and Dumber or Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, but they didn't make the list. Also nearly wet the seat at Analyze This; again, no cigar.
(Disclaimer: The mention by Albion Wilde of any work of cinema or feature film is not to be construed as approval, appreciation or endorsement by Albion Wilde of the private, public or political lives of any person or persons appearing in such works of cinema as may be cited, mentioned or quoted by Albion Wilde.)
90. A New Leaf (Elaine May, 1971)
I love this one and own it. So sweet and funny.
20. Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974)
This might be my #1.
If they had done that, Jerry Lewis would have scored much higher. My opinion:
"They took the bar! The whole f-ing bar!"
I would definitely vote for O Brother— saw it multiple times in the theater, even before buying the video and the music CD. "Do nawt seek the traysure!"
I guess Bob Hope films are before this list compiler's time, too.
Someone upthread mentioned Christmas Story, My Cousin Vinnie and The Russians Are Coming, which really should be on the list for American audiences. I rather liked Hairspray with Travolta and Walken; and one of my obscure faves from long ago is The Milagro Beanfield War with Rubén Blades. Another undersung fave is Something to Talk About with Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Kyra Sedgewick, Robert Duvall and Gena Rowlands.
And for Euroweenies, it would be hard to beat the romantic drawing room romantic comedy A Room with a View, or the ensemble comedy Love Actually. Let's not forget Peter Sellers in Chauncey Gardner.
I also got a kick out of Coming to America with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, and Eddie in Beverly Hills Cop.
I can. Looooved his work. Was so distraught when he died that if I'd had a spare thou lying around, I'd have flown over for his funeral. Did you ever see É la Nave Va (And the Ship Sails On)? It was brilliant.
It is indeed underrated, although as someone said it at least made #98 on the AFI list.
I think Court Jester took a backseat to Inspector General for years, though, and may be why it was neglected for much of the time as a Kaye classic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.