I feel strongly about comedy, perhaps more so than any other genre of film. Why? Because a truly inspirational and captivating drama takes a fresh and believable story, emotional acting, artistic vision, and hundreds of other essential qualities. But a really good comedy has to have all of this plus it must be funny. It has to be funny and somehow also address the seriousness of life. The humor cannot be a shadow of the narrative, nor can it become the narrative. Balancing this out is critical for success and usually is found in those few, expert jugglers: the comedic geniuses of Cary Grant, Danny Kaye, Peter Sellers, Gene Wilder, Woody Allen, Barbara Stanwyck, Buster Keaton, Michael Palin, Lily Tomlin, Red Skelton, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and on and on...
Comedy is really hard to get right and has so many levels and angles. To explain what I mean, just think about how some people love slapstick and hate witty banter. Others might laugh at stand up routines and cringe at dark or dead pan humor. It is so complex.
Anyway, I thought I'd share the 100 Laughs list and highlight those films I especially love.
My Top Ten (rated P=8) = Yellow
My 11-25 (rated at least P=6) = Green
My 26-40 (rated at least P=5) =Blue
*Note: All other films, that are not highlighted, are still well worth watching
The Top Ten
Some Like it Hot (1959)
Tootsie (1982)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Annie Hall (1977)
Duck Soup (1933)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
M*A*S*H (1970)
It Happened One Night (1934)
The Graduate (1967)
Airplane! (1980)
11-25
The Producers (1968)
A Night at the Opera (1935)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Singin' In The Rain (1952)
The Odd Couple (1968)
The General (1927)
His Girl Friday (1940)
The Apartment (1960)
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Adam's Rib (1949)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Born Yesterday (1950)
The Gold Rush (1925)
26-40
Being There (1979)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Ghostbusters (1984)
This is Spinal Tap (1984)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Raising Arizona (1987)
The Thin Man (1934)
Modern Times (1936)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Harvey (1950)
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
The Great Dictator (1940)
City Lights (1931)
Sullivan's Travels (1941)
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)
41-55
Moonstruck (1987)
BIG (1988)
American Graffiti (1973)
My Man Godfrey (1936)
Harold and Maude (1972)
Manhattan (1979)
Shampoo (1975)
A Shot in the Dark (1964)
To Be Or Not To Be (1942)
Cat Ballou (1965)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Ninotchka (1939)
Arthur (1981)
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
The Lady Eve (1941)
56-70
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Diner (1982)
It's a Gift (1934)
A Day at the Races (1937)
Topper (1937)
What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Sherlock, Jr. (1924)
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Broadcast News (1987)
Horse Feathers (1932)
Take the Money and Run (1969)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
The Awful Truth (1937)
Bananas (1971)
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
71-85
Caddyshack (1980)
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Monkey Business (1931)
9 To 5 (1980)
She Done Him Wrong (1933)
Victor/Victoria (1982)
The Palm Beach Story (1942)
Road to Morocco (1942)
The Freshman (1925)
Sleeper (1973)
The Navigator (1924)
Private Benjamin (1980)
Father of the Bride (1950)
Lost in America (1985)
Dinner at Eight (1933)
86-100
City Slickers (1991)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Beetlejuice (1988)
The Jerk (1979)
Woman of the Year (1942)
The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
Ball of Fire (1941)
Fargo (1996)
Auntie Mame (1958)
Silver Streak (1976)
Sons of the Desert (1933)
Bull Durham (1988)
The Court Jester (1956)
The Nutty Professor (1963)
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here
