Here's a list of the funniest movies ever produced, as well as the funniest TV show ever aired. I put 'em all in alphabetical order for ya because I know my letters better than I know my pluses and my minuses.
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What are my qualifications for producing such a list as this? Why am I an authority on this subject and why is my assessment unassailable? Well, if you really must know...for your information, friend...I was my Junior High School's Chess Champion in 1972. OK? OK?!!
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OK, now that we've got that settled, here's the list:
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American Graffiti [1973]
This seriocomic movie was released just one year after I won the chess championship at John Adams Jr. High School in Santa Monica, California. What can a person say about AMERICAN GRAFFITI that hasn't been said before? Well, "This movie sucks", I suppose, but anyone who'd say that would be cruisin' for a bruisin'. Get it? "Cruisin' for a bruisin'." Aw, forget it.
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Arthur [1981]
"If you get caught between the moon and New York City, the best that you can do is..." 15 or 16 martinis. Hold the olives - I've found the drinks are more effective if taken on an empty stomach.
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Better Off Dead [1985]
I can sum up this movie in one word: "Two dollars!"
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Blazing Saddles [1974. That's only 2 years after I won the Chess Championship at my Junior High School.]
"Blazing Saddles" was the first and last time I ever found flatulence funny. Phew! That's funny stuffs.
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Born Yesterday [1950; Black & White]
Can ("real man") William Holden (hiding behind clunky glasses) educate the ditzy bonehead, Judy Holliday, and steal her from tyrant Broderick Crawford before she gives up on love?
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A Christmas Story [1983]
Oh yeah?! Well, let's see you place your tongue against the frozen North Pole. Go on! "I triple-dog dare you!"
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And don'tcha just love that scene with the impatient elves and the evil Santa? Ha! I knew it, man!
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Defending Your Life [1991]
Are you going "On" or going "Back To Earth"? A love story that happens in limbo - a place between death and reincarnation. Rip Torn is hilarious as a good-hearted lawyer whose ethics might also be a shade in "limbo." Great food - no waiting!
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The Devil And Miss Jones [1941; B&W]
No, not the porno, ya Low IQer! The Charles Coburn classic! This breezy comedy from Hollywood's 'Golden Era' about a multi-millionaire businessman clerking undercover in his own store is a real hoot!
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Dr. Strangelove, Or 'How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb' [1964; B&W]
Guys, withhold your "precious bodily fluids!" Don't you know they are stealing your "essence"? This movie almost makes me proud to be an American. Go, Slim, go!
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Frasier [1993-2004]
FRASIER was the funniest TV sitcom of all time! My very favorite episode may have been "Dial 'M' For Martin" in Season 6. But the 3rd Season DVD set includes the episode "CHESS PAINS", in which Frasier loses at chess repeatedly to his 'blue-collar' dad, Martin, and it drives the psychiatrist mad! Some people take the game of chess way too seriously.
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Heaven Can Wait [1943]
A funny love story about a playboy trying to settle "down." Gene Tierney in a pale blue dress is too beautiful for poetry (most gorgeous woman God ever created!) and the breakfast scene with Jasper and the Strables is too funny for words! A genuine Hollywood classic that far too few Americans have seen.
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Hollywood Shuffle [1987]
Hokey-Smoke, funny stuffs! The skit, 'Sneakin' In The Movies', has one of the greatest lines in filmdom. I wish I had a dime for every time me 'n' the boys in the 'hood said, "THAT SH!T COULD REALLY HAPPEN!"
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The Longest Yard [1974]
Burt Reynolds and a bunch of big, dumb guys wearing Brut cologne (dat's before "Men" even needed to come "back") and playing some serious football. But there's sumpin' "funny" 'bout dem cheerleaders!
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Love And Death [1975]
I still think 'LOVE AND DEATH' is Woody Allen's funniest film. It takes place in Russia in 1812. Now, LOVE, I can take or leave alone, but "GIVE ME LAUGHTER OR GIVE ME DEATH!"
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Monty Python And The Holy Grail [1974. Two years after I became chess champ.]
Be sure to see this movie because everyone should be historically educated! [I used to be a newt, but I got better. Oh, never mind! Ya gotta know the movie.]
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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [1975]
True, this is not really a comedy; it's a sad but uplifting drama. Still, the humorous portions (and there are many) are as funny as anything you'll find in any comedy! Without a doubt, one of the greatest movies ever made!
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The Pink Panther Strikes Again [1976]
Herbert Lom almost steals da show in what for my money is the funniest installment of the Pink Panties series... Uhm... I believe that should have been "Panther". Ya know, like Pepto-Bismol Panther?
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Plan 9 From Outer Space [1959; B&W]
Ed Wood's ineptitude as a director is what keeps me in stitches. I mean, when a cop absentmindedly scratches his head with the barrel of a loaded gun... that's funny, babe! That's funny!
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Planes, Trains and Automobiles [1987]
'Planes, Trains And Automobiles' DVD copy - $7.97
Large soda and popcorn - $5.50
John Candy's facial expressions while playing imaginary keyboards on his dashboard - priceless!!!
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Rustlers' Rhapsody [1985]
Tom Berenger as a "confident heterosexual" singing cowboy and Andy Griffith as a... uhm... "sensitive" cattle baron. Only if you know the Western genre inside and out will this hilarious movie turn you inside out!
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The Spirit Of '76 [1991]
A superstupid movie, but boy does it take me back to 1976 and my senior year at Santa Monica High School. I can't watch it without my face breaking out. I always bring soda, popcorn and Clearasil.
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Support Your Local Sheriff [1969]
James Garner tames a wildly funny wild west town while "just passing through" on his way to Australia. 1872 was 100 years before I won the chess championship at my Junior High School. Where were you in '72?
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Swingers [1996]
"SWINGERS" - you know... like Dean-O and Sammy and Sinatra in... "Vegas, Baabeee!" My Brother turned me onto this one. And here you thought he was just a real tough guy with no Sense O'Humor, didn't ya?
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This Is Spinal Tap [1984]
In 1975, I got my little cousin Johnny hooked on Rock 'N' Roll and he went on to become a singer in Rock 'N' Roll bands. Ten years later, he got me hooked on the movie Spinal Tap. We're even.
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Tortilla Flat [1942; B&W]
Superb characterizations in a very funny and heartwarming story. Frank Morgan (the wizard in "The Wizard Of Oz") as the dog-loving vagabond nearly steals this wonderful show! This is one of my Top Ten favorite movies of all time! ["We are going to drink wine!"]
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Laurel & Hardy In "Way Out West" [1937; B&W]
"Way Out West": Two oafs go West to deliver a notice of inheritance and they tend to hurt themselves. This came out 35 years before I won the chess championship. I ain't done nuttin' since.
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit [1988]
When Jessica Rabbit sings, suddenly I find that I have CARROT CAKE on the brain!
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"A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."
~ Roger Rabbit
(Don't tell me that Rabbit's not a philosopher!)
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The Wind In The Willows [1983]
Based on the wonderful children's book by Kenneth Grahame, this is my favorite "stop-motion" animated picture ever. Mr. Toad is just too much - I love the bloke! ...But I'll bet I could beat the green off of him at chess. ...Well... we'd better make it just a "gentleman's/gentletoad's bet". (I'm outta practice.)
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Checkmatedly Yours,
~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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YE OLDE COMMENT POLICY: All comments, pro and con, are welcome. However, ad hominem attacks and disrespectful epithets will not be tolerated (read: "posted"). After all, this isn’t Amazon.com, so I don’t have to put up with that kind of bovine excrement.
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Truth is I own about half (if not slightly more than half) of these movies. Classic stuff brother. Just classic. Next time we talk I'll have to do my Roger Rabbit impression.
ReplyDeleteBrer Marc
I'm gonna disagree with some of these, and then on the other hand a lot of them I haven't seen or don't really remember very well.
ReplyDeleteI don't really remember American Grafitti being very funny.
A Christmas Story definitely funny.
One of the few movies that to me was hurtin' had me in tears funny was Being John Malkovich, but then again it was so weird that it couldn't help but tickle me.
Bitter Moon was another really weird movie that totally had me in stiches. It's a Polanski film starring Hugh Grant.
I know there are others, but right now I can't remember them. I'll check out some of these on your list.
Lee
Tossing It Out
BR'ER MARC ~
ReplyDeleteYou do Roger too, eh? Cool. Well, if it's as good as your Uncle Jimmy Stewart, I'll wanna hear it.
r-LEE-b ~
"American Graffiti" falls into the same category as "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" - it's not primarily a comedy, but there are plenty of humorous scenes and they are all worthy of an A-List comedy. Terry "The Toad" Fields attempting to score some booze at the liquor store? That's a CLASSIC bit! My Brother and I end up laughing out loud every time the subject even comes up. (Every scene with Terry "The Toad" is funny.)
There were several funny moments involving John Milner and Carol Morrison ("Uh-uh! Not ol' Carol!"), and Milner's response when Debbie tells him he is just like the Lone Ranger makes me laugh.
And how about Steve telling Laurie that they ought to date others because, "I think it would strengthen our relationship."? ("Unity Through Diversity", eh?)
I for one think "American Graffiti" includes more than enough humor to make this list. And besides that... are you questioning my authority? Did I happen to mention that I was the chess champion of my junior high school in 1972?
:o)
I never saw "Being John Malkovich" or "Bitter Moon", so I'll just halfta take yer word on 'em. (You have any old chess trophies?)
~ Stephen
"As a dog returns to his own vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly."
~ Proverbs 26:11
Well, seeing as I never won any chess tournaments at all, I am singularly unqualified to comment on the humor value of movies. However, I do OWN a book on chess, so I'll take a stab at your list.
ReplyDelete(Catalan Opening) I've seen 3/4 of these movies, and liked most of 'em.
(Budapest Gambit) I love Frasier. As you say: funniest TV show ever. Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Blazing Saddles are certainly in my top five funniest movies ever made. Others in that short list would be Kentucky Fried Movie, Ten From Your Show of Shows, and one other that I cannot recall. At least I can count. (Sicilian Defense)
However, American Graffitti is, as you yourself point out (Torre Attack), NOT a comedy. I would go so far as to say the funny parts are minimal, though it is a Great Movie.
And One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? (Albin Countergambit) I can't stand the film. In fact, it is another movie I walked out of in it's initial run.
But, what do I know? My game is Go Fish.
Mr. Paulboygan
MR. PAULBOY #VI ~
ReplyDelete>>...Well, seeing as I never won any chess tournaments at all, I am singularly unqualified to comment on the humor value of movies.
You said it, man! No argument from me. (Ya ever notice how sometimes there's not much funnier than a well-placed non sequitur? Of course a poorly placed non sequitur is only mystifying - which may be the case here.)
>>...At least I can count.
Yeah. That's always been one of the things I've most admired about ya.
>>...(Catalan Opening)
(Budapest Gambit)
(Sicilian Defense) - [Isn't that also known as "Rocco, Take 'im For A Ride" or "Sleepin' With The Fishes"?]
(Torre Attack) - [And at one time I believe that was known as "The New York Yankees".]
(Albin Countergambit)
You forgot to mention:
The Gambino Gambet
The Capone Capture
The Gotti Gambit
The Costello Capture
The Luciano Lead-In
The Siegel Trade-Off
The Graziano Gambit
The Big Georgie Remini Retreat
and The Fat Tony Salerno Salami Back One-And-A-Half Somersaults, Tuck Leading Into A Lime Twist On The Rocks.
Obviously you know very little about chess.
>>...And One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? I can't stand the film. In fact, it is another movie I walked out of in it's initial run.
WTF?! Get outta here!!! "Go Fish!"
~ D-FensDogg
'Doggtor Frankenstein Of Chess 'N' Comedy'
Hey, Stephen:
ReplyDeleteWell, Pal, some of these I would agree with – some not so much. I think the problem is that you were a chess champion (too dang cerebral).
I am thoroughly ashamed to say that I found both of the "Porky’s" movies pretty hilarious. OMG – I’m so low-brow. And “Big” (with Tom Hanks) still makes me laugh even though I’ve probably seen it 50 times.
I would have picked "Young Frankenstein" over "Blazing Saddles" for a favorite Mel Brooks film and "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex..." as my favorite Woody Allen film (loved, Loved, LOVED the scenes with Gene Wilder), but "Love and Death" is a good un too.
I noticed an absence of most of the classic screwball comedies on the ‘30’s and ‘40’s from your list. No Preston Sturges? No “My Man Godfrey”? Nary a William Powell film? A great comedy actor! Even his “The Thin Man” series were full of hilarious and witty repartee (probably because these were adapted by Dashiel Hammett and Lillian Hellman from his books).
Only one Laurel and Hardy and no Marx Brothers films at all? Boo! No Cary Grant comedies - not even "Topper"? And no Carole Lombard? I think she was the best screen ditz ever. Happily, you had at least one Jean Arthur comedy.
Most Preston Sturges comedies still make me laugh because of their oddball but good hearted characters who come up with the most hare-brained schemes imaginable. Part of the charm of those films is that the characters are completely unaware of how ridiculous they are. Joel McCrea (an underappreciated and multifaceted actor) in “The Palm Beach Story” is seriously looking for an investor to underwrite his latest invention (a gigantic net that will simply catch planes as they fall out of the sky – like a trapeze flyer under the Big Top - ending the need for those pesky landing strips at airports). Boing!
The film that surprised me on your list though was "The Devil And Miss Jones". You liked a movie that featured union organizers and leftist politics? End times are surely upon us…
"Stand still, Godfrey. It'll all be over in a minute." Weird comment unless you have seen the film -- you should really see the film. ;-)
~The Aard~
AARDPAL ~
ReplyDelete>>...The film that surprised me on your list though was "The Devil And Miss Jones". You liked a movie that featured union organizers and leftist politics? End times are surely upon us...
Oh, heck, is THAT what it's about? I thought it was a porno!
I think I've always been entertained too much to notice what the movie was about.
Well, ya gotta understan', I LOVE Charles Coburn - he has to be my all-time favorite character actor (note that two of his movies made the list - "Heaven Can Wait" being the other).
I will definitely return and address the rest of your comment when I gotz mo' time.
Thanks for submitting this, Flyin' Aard! Yer a pal!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Charles Coburn Fan'
Sorry, McDogg-
ReplyDeletePenalty flag.
Failure to include "Animal House" and "Seinfeld."
If ya wasn't gonna quit bloggin' I'd have ya fired!
TODDFAN DISCDUDE ~
ReplyDeleteWell, I lived through "Animal House" and believe me, it was MUCH funnier in "real life".
Seinfeld -- Well, this was meant primarily as a movie list but I decided to include just one TV show. And it HAD to be Frasier since it was "head and shoulders" (or "Freud and Jung") funnier than any other sitcom. Sorry, DiscDude, but facts is facts.
~ McDoggboy
How did I miss this? Wait, I know how.
ReplyDeleteYou picked several of my all time favorites - Blazing Saddles, Better Off Dead, A Christmas Story, Holy Grail, and This is Spinal Tap!
ALEX ~
ReplyDeleteWell, clearly YOU know funny stuffs when you see/hear it. Which is more than I can say for a few of the folks who have commented here.
;o)
[I'm jus' jokin', kids.]
Say, incidentally, Brother, did you happen to see the comment I left about (for) you on Arlee Bird's blog bit about your book being published?
I shouted it out in general, but it was really meant most of all for your eyes.
~ D-FensDogg
Part 1 Of 2:
ReplyDeleteDEARAARD ~
Your comment here is the one I found most challenging because you are probably the movie-knowingest person I know.
>>...I think the problem is that you were a chess champion (too dang cerebral).
Yeah, I'm REAL cerebral... in a Chinese Checkers sort of way. You can tell how cerebral I am by some of the movies I selected for my list (e.g., Better Off Dead; The Spirit Of '76; The Pink Panther Strikes Again; Spinal Tap; Plan 9 From Outer Space - yes, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE! - now THAT'S some serious "cerebrality".)
>>...I am thoroughly ashamed to say that I found both of the "Porky’s" movies pretty hilarious. OMG – I’m so low-brow.
I gotta admit, that IS pretty low-brow. I never saw either one of them but I know it's supposed to represent the lowest "guy humor".
>>...And “Big” (with Tom Hanks) still makes me laugh even though I’ve probably seen it 50 times.
I like "Big". I've seen it a couple of times. I think my favorite part is his reaction to his first taste of caviar. I had the IDENTICAL reaction the time I put a "buttered popcorn" Jelly Belly jelly bean in my mouth. My girlfriend was laughing so hard because she said it was just like watching "Big".
>>..."Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex..." as my favorite Woody Allen film (loved, Loved, LOVED the scenes with Gene Wilder)
I was thinking that perhaps I'd never seen this one, but then parts of the description at NetFlix sounded pretty familiar. I KNOW I read the book though. I added the movie to my NetFlix queue, but it's currently unavailable.
>>...I noticed an absence of most of the classic screwball comedies on the ‘30’s and ‘40’s from your list...
Well, I feel out of my league in discussing some of these with you, as I am not an expert but a mere sampler. But let's see...
Sturges - I have seen "Sullivan's Travels" and "The Palm Beach Story" and liked them both but didn't "love 'em". And I have also seen "The Lady Eve" but felt it was pretty darned overrated, despite Charles Coburn's presence.
William Powell - I've seen "Mr. Roberts" (great!) and one or two from "The Thin Man" series, but that was ages ago and I can hardly remember anything about them.
Some of the screwball comedies from the '30s and '40s I like a lot and some don't hold up so well for me. For instance, I REALLY LIKE "The More The Merrier" and "It Happened One Night" but I did not at all like "Bringing Up Baby" or "Arsenic And Old Lace". So it's pretty "hit or miss" with me when it comes to the old screwball comedy classics.
Continued Below...
Part 2 Of 2:
ReplyDelete>>...Only one Laurel and Hardy and no Marx Brothers films at all? Boo! No Cary Grant comedies - not even "Topper"?
Well, Laurel And Hardy I love, period. And "The Flying Deuces" could have easily made this list if I had gone to 30 rather than stopping at 28. I like it almost as well as "Way Out West" and the very ending of that movie is hysterically funny. I was rolling on the floor with tears in my eyes.
Don't shoot, but I'm thinking I may have never seen "Topper". As you've probably already guessed, I'm not the world's biggest Cary Grant fan (particularly in comedies), but I do like Roland Young, so I will add "Topper" to my NetFlix queue as the description of it in my movie guide book makes it sound potentially funny.
(This is the first time I ever had to do reasearch in order to reply to a blog bit comment. Yer a tough cookie!)
:o)
The Marx Brothers - Sheesh. Well, I don't think I've ever seen one movie from start to finish; I've only viewed a scene here and a scene there, and what I've thus far viewed in my very young life has not left me howling from the humor. Is there any ONE Marx Brothers' movie you would MOST recommend? Duck Soup? A Day At The Races? A Night At The Opera? Sheer Heart Attack? If you pick one, I'll watch it.
>>...And no Carole Lombard? I think she was the best screen ditz ever. Happily, you had at least one Jean Arthur comedy.
I like Jean Arthur. Love her scrathy voice. But...
C'mon! C'mon! Judy Holliday in "Born Yesterday". Don't make me have-ta come over there!
>>..."Stand still, Godfrey. It'll all be over in a minute." Weird comment unless you have seen the film -- you should really see the film. ;-)
I haven't seen it. But at your urging, I have already put it on my Netflix list and bumped it to the very top of the queue. I will be seeing it next Monday night for sure.
Thanks for your great comment, Aard. I did not extend this list to 30 because it would be leaving out too many comedies that would be fighting for those last two spots - comedies I really, really like. "What A Way To Go" should be here, and it's crazy, crazy ridiculous that I don't have a single W.C. FIELDS movie on this list when 2 or 3 could and should be here. And where's "Ruggles Of Red Gap"? This list is incomplete because it was too hard... like chess.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I enjoyed the Aard's comments.
ReplyDeleteWith Aard, I vote YES on the Marx Brothers. I love most of their films, but my favorite is Duck Soup, followed by A Night at the Opera and Horsefeathers.
In Duck Soup, President Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) is wooing Margret Dumont, and they have this exchange:
Firefly: “not that I care, but where is your husband?"
Dumont: "why, he’s dead."
Firefly: "I’ll bet he’s just using that as an excuse."
Dumont: "I was with him to the very end."
Firefly: "no wonder he passed away."
Dumont: "I held him in my arms and kissed him."
Firefly: "I see, then it was murder!”
Firefly is the leader of a small European country, and he is having a council of state around a large table with his ministers.
Minister of War: "Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Enough of this. How about taking up the tax?"
Firefly: "How about taking up the carpet?"
Secretary of War: "I still insist we must take up the tax!"
Firefly: "He's right. You've got to take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet."
Minister of War: "I give all my time and energy to my duties and what do I get?"
Firefly: "You get awfully tiring after a while."
Minister: "Sir, you try my patience!"
Firefly: "I don't mind if I do. You must come over and try mine sometime."
Minister: "That's the last straw! I resign. I wash my hands of the whole business."
Firefly: "A good idea. You can wash your neck, too."
HA!
Great stuff(s)!!!
Then again, you could watch A Night at the Opera. Knowing how much you like opera, I KNOW you'd like that one!
Paulboy
MR. SHEBOYGANBOY SIX ~
ReplyDeleteI must say, "Duck Soup" reads like a winner!
~ D-FensDogg
'Who Reads Like A Third-Grader'
>>…Yeah, I'm REAL cerebral... in a Chinese Checkers sort of way. You can tell how cerebral I am by some of the movies I selected for my list (e.g., Better Off Dead; The Spirit Of '76; The Pink Panther Strikes Again; Spinal Tap; Plan 9 From Outer Space - yes, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE! - now THAT'S some serious "cerebrality".
ReplyDeleteWell, we all have our Achilles’ heels. I know I have seen “Better Off Dead”, but I honestly don’t remember that much about it. Before John Cusack became a ‘serious actor’, he did a bunch of transitional silly teenage comedies – most of which I enjoyed for what they were. I even remember a very brief funny scene or two where he appeared as one of Anthony Michael Hall’s nerd posse in the film “Sixteen Candles.”
>>…I like "Big". I've seen it a couple of times. I think my favorite part is his reaction to his first taste of caviar. I had the IDENTICAL reaction the time I put a "buttered popcorn" Jelly Belly jelly bean in my mouth. My girlfriend was laughing so hard because she said it was just like watching "Big".
I loved that scene as well. I know Tom Hanks has had some great film roles (“Saving Private Ryan”, etc.), but “Big” remains one of my favorite of his films. And, by the way, ‘butter popcorn’ is my second FAVORITE Jelly Belly (right after black licorice). ;-)
[>>..."Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex..." as my favorite Woody Allen film (loved, Loved, LOVED the scenes with Gene Wilder)]
>>…I was thinking that perhaps I'd never seen this one, but then parts of the description at NetFlix sounded pretty familiar. I KNOW I read the book though. I added the movie to my NetFlix queue, but it's currently unavailable.
You may have seen it, but it was one of Allen’s earlier films. It’s all sketch comedy, and some parts work better than others – but Wilder is priceless. If you still have a tape machine, I will loan you my old VHS copy. (I will have to dig around to find this and it may take some time – but I’ll send it along when I locate it.)
>>… Don't shoot, but I'm thinking I may have never seen "Topper". As you've probably already guessed, I'm not the world's biggest Cary Grant fan (particularly in comedies), but I do like Roland Young, so I will add "Topper" to my NetFlix queue as the description of it in my movie guide book makes it sound potentially funny.
Well, Roland Young is the main attraction in the film (a great physical comic). Constance Bennett and Cary Grant are really supporting characters. I will loan you my “Topper” DVD and you can watch it whenever you like (keep it as long as you want).
>>… The Marx Brothers - Sheesh. Well, I don't think I've ever seen one movie from start to finish; I've only viewed a scene here and a scene there, and what I've thus far viewed in my very young life has not left me howling from the humor. Is there any ONE Marx Brothers' movie you would MOST recommend? Duck Soup? A Day At The Races? A Night At The Opera? Sheer Heart Attack? If you pick one, I'll watch it.
I would probably recommend “Duck Soup” for you. It skewers government and the military. If you find you don’t care for it, then you may just not be a “Marx Brothers” sort of person (it happens). There is also the possibility that I just like idiotic slapstick comedy more than you do. Unfortunately, I don’t own it (it turns up on Turner Classic so often I have never felt the need to buy it).
>>… I haven't seen it. But at your urging, I have already put it on my Netflix list and bumped it to the very top of the queue. I will be seeing it next Monday night for sure.
Well, Pal, I sure hope you enjoy it. And, you are right, Judy Holliday is completely adorable - but I think you will find Carole Lombard a very endearing bubble-head as well. Please let me know what you think of the film when you see it.
~The Aard~
SWEETAARD ~
ReplyDeleteDid you see where Mr. Sheboyganboy Six said that he enjoyed your previous comment and that he concurred with your Marx Brothers inclusion? Ya see? You should comment more often because all of my friends are really cool and I'm the only dog here that barks and bites.
:o)
>>...I know I have seen “Better Off Dead”, but I honestly don’t remember that much about it. Before John Cusack became a ‘serious actor’, he did a bunch of transitional silly teenage comedies – most of which I enjoyed for what they were.
Yeah, well that's exactly what 'Better Off Dead' is. It's extremely silly and I love it - heck, I OWN it. But it does for newspaper boys what horror movies did for clowns.
>>...And, by the way, ‘butter popcorn’ is my second FAVORITE Jelly Belly (right after black licorice).
Uhm... are you serious? I happen to love black licorice jelly beans, but some flavors ought NEVER to appear in jelly bean form, and buttered popcorn is #1 on that list. I was gagging for five minutes! After the horror of it had passed, even I realized how funny I must have looked.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have seen "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sex", but probably only once and some decades ago.
>>...If you still have a tape machine, I will loan you my old VHS copy.
I do have a DVD/VHS player, and the movie is unavailable at NetFlix (I tried to add it). Yes, I would like to borrow it if you don't mind. Thanks!
>>...I will loan you my “Topper” DVD and you can watch it whenever you like (keep it as long as you want).
And likewise, "Topper" is unavailable at NetFlix. I will gladly accept your offer and promise to get both movies back to you within a few weeks. THANK YOU!
>>...I would probably recommend “Duck Soup” for you.
Well, the "Duck Soup" fans have it then (you and Mr. Sheboyganboy both)! I have added it to my Netflix queue (they have that one).
>>...you are right, Judy Holliday is completely adorable - but I think you will find Carole Lombard a very endearing bubble-head as well. Please let me know what you think of the film when you see it.
I sure will, Pal.
I once had something of a crush on Judy Holliday (I think I've mentioned this to you before) - until I read a biography about her and learned that she had been a neurotic, bisexual communist. Pretty well killed the romance (which was just as well because she was already a long time dead).
But I still like some of her movies, and none more so than "Born Yesterday". I love that part where the senator asks her if she is one of his "constituents", and she has to fight off the overpowering urge to reach for the nearby dictionary. Ha!
Of course, Broderick Crawford was also great in that movie and William Holden is probably my 3rd all-time favorite actor. So, I love "Born Yesterday" for a variety of reasons.
Judy Holliday in that high-pitched "blonde" voice: "I don't know any rabbits!!"
Ha!
Yak Later, ~Aard~.
~ Brodieboy
>>… Did you see where Mr. Sheboyganboy Six said that he enjoyed your previous comment and that he concurred with your Marx Brothers inclusion?
ReplyDeleteWell, I hadn’t noticed his comment until after I posted, but I LOVED that he put some of the dialog from the film on his response. I understand that the Marx Brothers put all of their comedy routines into live show performances (a la vaudeville) where they fine-tuned the jokes and sight gags until they were perfect. Then they were included in the movies. This is probably why everything still works so well – even after all this time. Although I haven’t seen “Animal Crackers” for a number of years, I seem to recall there was a wonderfully silly scene where the boys are trying to steal a painting (?) from a palatial home during a society party. When they hear the party guests coming their way, they madly scramble to find hiding places. Harpo panics as all the hiding places are taken and he decides to stand on his head just as the door is opening (as if no one will notice just because he is upside own). The goofy part is that nobody does! The guests filter in and out of the room and Harpo remains undetected.
>>… And likewise, "Topper" is unavailable at NetFlix. I will gladly accept your offer and promise to get both movies back to you within a few weeks. THANK YOU!
“Topper” is on its way (regular mail to your home address). I have VHS boxes to go through in the closets, so “Everything…” will take a little longer. As soon as I locate it though, I will shoot it your way.
>>… Of course, Broderick Crawford was also great in that movie and William Holden is probably my 3rd all-time favorite actor. So, I love "Born Yesterday" for a variety of reasons.
Well, I remember watching and enjoying old reruns of “Highway Patrol” on the television when I was a Little Aardvark. Crawford played a “no nonsense” cop and you would never want to get on his bad side. Did you ever see these?
William Holden was a very versatile actor and jaw-droppingly gorgeous in his youth. I am sure that the theaters had to provide drool bibs for all the female audience members during the original theatrical release of “Golden Boy”. I realize that the whole ‘hunk’ aspect probably doesn’t factor into it for you though. :o)
~The Aard~
~FLYIN' AARD~
ReplyDelete-->...“Topper” is on its way (regular mail to your home address)... As soon as I locate it ["Everything..."] though, I will shoot it your way.
Yer a pal. THANKS, Pal!
-->...Well, I remember watching and enjoying old reruns of “Highway Patrol” on the television when I was a Little Aardvark.
~HA!~ I guess that was before your wings were fully formed, eh? Back when you were still "grounded"?
-->...Crawford played a “no nonsense” cop and you would never want to get on his bad side. Did you ever see these?
Nope, I sure didn't. But you know, Broderick Crawford played himself in the movie "A Little Romance", and I think I'd have to rate it as my very favorite time when an actor or actress played themself in a movie or TV show. He was really FUNNY! He only had a couple of scenes, but they were CLASSIC!
-->...I realize that the whole ‘hunk’ aspect probably doesn’t factor into it for you though.
Ha! Uh... no. I can honestly, HONESTLY say that I'm a "confident heterosexual" and that William Holden's "hunkiness" has NOTHING whatsoever to do with why he's one of my favorite movie stars.
The real reason? Well, he was in some good movies (the best of them being the Best Western, "The Wild Bunch") and he had natural charisma and a genuine "real man" presence about him. William Holden was what men were back when men were men. (Not to mention that he died like a "real man", too - falling down and hitting his head while in an extremely intoxicated condition. What more can a man like me aspire to?)
I've enjoyed yakkin' with ya, Flyin' Aard. Thanks for biting the bullet and making a public appearance.
:o)
~ Stephen
"As a dog returns to his own vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly."
~ Proverbs 26:11