Pete's Comedy Flick-Picks

Sherlock, Jr (1924)

I know what you're thinking. Damn, this movie is old. And it's silent. But it is less than an hour and a half long, and it stars one of the great silent actors, Buster Keaton. These jokes are timeless, and the physical stunts will make more than one jaw drop. Give it a try and be pleasantly surprised, I was.
Scene to watch for: a driverless motorcycle ride.

City Lights (1931)

If you've never seen a Charlie Chaplin movie, do yourself a favor and start with this one. At one time the Chaplin was the most recognized figure in the world, mainly through heart-winning performances like this one. More tender emotion than a modern drama, and the incomparable side-splitting antics of the little tramp.
Scene to watch for: the eye-opening ending.

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

"Insanity runs in my family, it practically gallops!" muttters Cary Grant at one point in this movie, and truer words were never spoken. With a brother who is convinced that he's Teddy Roosevelt, another brother who is fond of practicing "experiments" on human subjects, and two kindly old aunts who are reducing the number of elderly men in their town, it's easy to see why Grant becomes exasperated! Frank Capra directed this silver screen classic, and the sinister Peter Lorre is entertaining as always.
Scene to watch for: building the Panama Canal.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

This Billy Wilder classic has lost none of its brilliance over the years. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis star as jazz musicians in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. Of course, this also means the era of prohibition, speakeasies, and tommy gun wielding gansters. After witnessing a mob rubout, they flee south to Florida with another band -- the only catch is that it's an all-girls band and Lemmon and Curtis are forced to dress in drag. Marilyn Monroe plays the sultry bandleader who naturally wins the affections of both of her "girlfriends". Excellent timing between Lemmon and Curtis, steady direction by the legendary Wilder, and standout perfomances by Joe E. Brown (Osgood Fielding III) and Geoge Raft (Spats Columbo) combine to leave one saying "Zowee!"
Scene to watch for: Lemmon's revelation, and Brown's reaction.

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Stanley Kramer set out to create the "comedy to end all comedies", and directed this epic and zany roller coaster ride. The plot concerns a race across the country to find a buried treasure, and the long running time and huge cast list create almost unlimited possibilities. Even a partial listing of the cast reads like a who's who in Hollywood at the time: Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Ethal Merman, Jonathon Winters, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Spencer Tracy, and cameos by the Three Stooges, Buster Keaton, Peter Falk, Don Knotts, Joe E. Brown, Carl Reiner, Jack Benny, Jimmy Durante, and Jerry Lewis. Whew!
Scene to watch for: the famous "kick the bucket".

The Party (1968)

Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers, fresh from two Pink Panthers, team up again to create this slapstick gem. Sellers shows off his virtuoso talent for impersonations, this time as Hrundi V. Bakshi, a bumbling Indian actor accidentally invited to a glamorous party held by a big shot media mogul. Weaving his way among the crowd of people, stopping to feed the pets ("Birdie Num Num"), and becoming involved the most hilarious situations form the basis of the movie. Claudine Longet costars, but Sellers steals the show. Henry Mancini provides the perfect background jazz score, and Edwards keeps the quick pace throughout.
Scene to watch for: when nature calls.

Take the Money and Run (1969)

The debut of Woody Allen, in a docu-drama spoof which he wrote, directed, and starred in. He plays Virgil Starkwell, a misfit who turns to a life of crime to make ends meet. Starting out with petty thefts (gumball machines) and working his way up to bank robberies, Virgil winds up being thrown in jail, working on a chain gang, playing the cello in a marching band, and busting out of prison with a bar of soap. In between, he finds time to fall in love and become a rabbi, if only temporarily. The pseudo-documentary style, narration, and voice-over commentary fit perfectly, and the budding talent of Woody Allen is on full display.
Scene to watch for: the perils of poor penmanship.

Bananas (1971)

Another early Woody Allen, this one is filled with mostly adolescent gags, which will leave teenagers in hysterics. Allen becomes the dictator of a third world country, and must cope with (among other urgent problems) how to order enough cole slaw to feed the troops. Howard Cosel steals the two scenes that he's in, and the memorable wedding night sequence is unforgettable. Puns, one-liners, visual gags, and Allen's typical comic lunancy abound.
Scene to watch for: Allen at the magazine rack.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)

John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and all those other lunatic Brits hold nothing sacred in their version of the King Arthur legend. This is the least offensive of the three Python movies, and also the most fun. Repeated viewings enable all of the subtle jokes to be noticed, and most of the humorous action takes place in the backgrounds of the scenes. Thy Holy Hand Grenade, the Knights Who Say Nee, and the duel with the Black Knight will all live on in infamy for years to come. Pure midnight movie madness at its best.
Scene to watch for: the witch trial.

Airplane! (1980)

Does this movie even need an explanation? There are enough one-liners, zany characters, and gags in these ninety minutes to wake anyone out of a coma. Gladiator movies, turkish prisons, jive-talkin' homeboys, airplane glue, and tea drinking kids -- the list is endless. With Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, and Llyod Bridges (and one happy auto-pilot!)
Scene to watch for: the disco flashback

National Lampoon Vacation Series

• National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
  The first of the series, introducing such memorable characters as Clark W. Griswald (Chevy Chase) and Cousin Eddy (an inspired Randy Quaid). The Griswald's set off on a family vacation across America, hoping to end up at the Wallyworld amusement park. In between, Murphy's Law holds true, as the well-intentioned yet unrealistic trip hits one snag after another.
  Scene to watch for: scenic detour in St. Louis.
• National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)
  The Griswald's are at it again, this time tackling the famous sites of Europe. The jokes are more hit and miss in this one, but there are enough to keep you entertained. Memorable videotapes, hotels, waiters, and nightclubs. Even includes a cameo by Eric Idle.
  Scene to watch for: the German brats & beer party
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
  Possibly the best of the series. Cousin Eddie is back, and as repulsive as ever. Poor Clark just wants to use his forthcoming paycheck on a family gift, but if only it were that easy. Nearly everything associated with the holidays is ridiculed, and everybody can relate to the relatives. An early movie performance by Julia Louise-Dreyfuss (Seinfeld's Elaine).
  Scene to watch for: the famous Freudian slips while shopping
• National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation (1997)
  The Griswald's just don't get a hint, and continue to travel. This time the glittering neon lights of Las Vegas provide the backdrop for a zany adventure. Christie Brinkley reprises her role from the first movie, Wallace Shawn is perfect as the house, and what can be said about Wayne Newton. Packs more jokes than you might expect, and a fitting end to the series.
  Scene to watch for: the dam tour