tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post1564609041108895949..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My favorite comedy screenplaysBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37168209272870116772013-08-02T11:08:23.737-07:002013-08-02T11:08:23.737-07:00I can't believe nobody mentioned The Adventure...I can't believe nobody mentioned The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother by Gene Wilder. Well, I mean, I can believe it since it's pretty obscure, but I don't understand why it's so obscure. It's absolutely hilarious. Wilder at his best, in my opinion. Stellar cast in the movie too. I've seen it hundreds of time and I'm still rolling on the floor in stitches while watching it.<br />As for age, my teenaged son says his favourite is Father of the Bride with Spencer Tracy, which I also find hysterically funny. <br />We watch a lot of TCM in our house.Deb. Hawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11073812042000693372007-12-14T18:19:00.000-08:002007-12-14T18:19:00.000-08:00The perfect comedy? "Bringing Up Baby" (1938)The perfect comedy? "Bringing Up Baby" (1938)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50934404887486557892007-08-11T19:31:00.000-07:002007-08-11T19:31:00.000-07:00Wow... 106 comments so far and no mention yet of O...Wow... 106 comments so far and no mention yet of OFFICE SPACE?? <BR/><BR/>I would rank this Mike Judge film is right up there with the screwball classics we all love.<BR/><BR/>Ditto, btw, on the comments on Lubitsch and Chasing Amy/Kevin Smith. Quite underrated, the former. Waaaay overrated, the latter.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01959807858303615531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40928616967333167902007-08-08T11:10:00.000-07:002007-08-08T11:10:00.000-07:00Cat Ballou (despite the fact that it stars the exe...Cat Ballou (despite the fact that it stars the execrable Jane Fonda).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79837183940208776362007-08-07T20:54:00.000-07:002007-08-07T20:54:00.000-07:00A few that I haven't seen mentioned are:Easy Money...A few that I haven't seen mentioned are:<BR/><BR/>Easy Money, Back to School,(Big Rodney fan), and My Cousin Vinny.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Brett<BR/>(Writer - Reinvented, Tapout, Harsh Reality)<BR/><BR/>Here's one I wrote. I'd like to think it's pretty funny:<BR/><BR/>http://www.myspace.com/reinventedmovie<BR/><BR/><BR/>Reinvented <BR/><BR/>Richie Whalen, lead singer of the hairmetal band, Wailin', gets signed to a record deal in the early 1990's, at the same time that the Seattle grunge sound is about to take over the music world. Richie thinks he's gonna be a big rock star, but the opposite happens. The band's album tanks. The tour flops. They're dropped from the label and Richie ends up so broke that he has to move back in with his parents. After some humbling experiences living life as a "regular guy," Richie decides to take another crack at music. He writes some great songs, which reflect his new perspective on life, and cuts a demo, but labels won't touch him because of his past. So, in order get a record deal, Richie REINVENTS himself by changing his name and appearance.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12214368430065162304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41626970403489299312007-08-07T12:16:00.000-07:002007-08-07T12:16:00.000-07:00Duck Soup. The Marx brothers at their bestDuck Soup. The Marx brothers at their bestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50266733697382242322007-08-07T11:26:00.000-07:002007-08-07T11:26:00.000-07:00Teddy: "Elizabeth Berkley has a career?" Coinciden...Teddy: "Elizabeth Berkley has a career?" <BR/><BR/>Coincidentally enough, she's in the above-mentioned Curse of the Jade Scorpion. So, um, maybe your point is well taken. Still, in the last couple of weeks, I've seen her in reruns of L&O:Criminal Intent and CSI.<BR/><BR/>What's this thread again? Oh, favorite comedy screenplays... Mankiewicz's "A Letter to Three Wives" is pretty fantastic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5741675970979083702007-08-07T07:13:00.000-07:002007-08-07T07:13:00.000-07:00Elizabeth Berkley has a career? I heard she appear...Elizabeth Berkley has a career? I heard she appearing Dustin "Screech" Diamond's Dirty Sanchez II.Teddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05809349354876729611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1567540412846077462007-08-07T01:19:00.000-07:002007-08-07T01:19:00.000-07:00i liked hollywood ending... i think it's one of th...i liked hollywood ending... i think it's one of the best films of woody allen late period. if you really are looking for a stinker... try The Curse of Jade ScorpionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62192949997454028182007-08-06T19:16:00.000-07:002007-08-06T19:16:00.000-07:00Just HAD to make the comments to this awesome thre...Just HAD to make the comments to this awesome thread an even <B>100</B>...LouOCNYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16151395857835632917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10114086614687255892007-08-06T15:23:00.000-07:002007-08-06T15:23:00.000-07:00Just remembered George Steven's great "The More th...Just remembered George Steven's great "The More the Merrier," another all-time fave for me. "Stage Door" and "My Man Godfrey" director Gregory La Cava also made some lesser-known beauties such as "Affairs of Cellini" (which I saw on a La Cava double bill at LACMA with Fay Wray in attendance), and a wild Lee Tracy/Lupe Velez vehicle called "The Half Naked Truth," which happily turns up on Turner Classics occasionally.<BR/><BR/>As for more recent fare, I'm a big fan of the Judd Apatow stuff. Nice to see all those "Freaks and Geeks" alums getting their due. "Knocked Up" is one of the few recent films I've seen twice in the theatre.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54386498983472490772007-08-06T15:17:00.000-07:002007-08-06T15:17:00.000-07:00"Election" is a jewel of a script."Election" is a jewel of a script.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29300332018890298362007-08-06T14:20:00.000-07:002007-08-06T14:20:00.000-07:00Of course, THE FRONT PAGE is based on the same pla...Of course, THE FRONT PAGE is based on the same play as HIS GIRL FRIDAY, with Jack Lemmon in the Roz Russell Role. And there's a MUCH earlier version (1931), also called THE FRONT PAGE, with Adolphe Monjou and Pat O'Brian.<BR/><BR/>I didn't watch the classic films because I was studying film. I watched them because they were the funniest movies. It seems like I was born already loving Laurel & Hardy. Jim Carrey is talented, but he is not a GREAT comedian. And the current mania for Will Ferrell leaves me slack-jawed and agape as well. The best comedies being turned out these days, in my opinion, are the ones being made by Chris Guest and his repertroy company of all the best comic actors working, including some friends of mine.<BR/><BR/>And I HATED The Royal Tennebaums.<BR/><BR/>My parents listened to swing music too. I did not develop a taste for it, though I did acquire a taste for classical music and opera. And yes, still loved The Beatles and Queen. (And George Harrison produced some of the BEST comedies ever, when he created Handmade Films.) And I was lecturing the kid to encourage him to see better movies for HIS sake. When all you've eaten is oatmeal, that first mouthful of lobster is almost orgasmic. He can't relive my life. I was lucky enough to meet Groucho and Lucille Ball and Bud Abbott (And Bob Hope, though I don't file that under "Lucky"). I got to see Jack Benny work live. He can't have those experiences. He CAN see Eddie Izzard or Barry Humphries live, and is well-advised to.<BR/><BR/>And I just saw one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, with a great screenplay, in a theater last week. It is called THE SIMPSONS MOVIE. Best comedy I've seen since SOUTH PARK, BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT. There are people still making great comedies.<BR/><BR/>Among fairly recent movies, BOWFINGER is a very good film. So is ELECTION. So is DICK. (I've always loved DICK.)<BR/><BR/>Re: STAGE DOOR. My mother played the Katherine Hepburn role onstage in college, long before I was born. I'm sure she made Hepburn look like a piker. Heaven knows Mom was prettier. (Mother when young looked very like Olivia De Havilland.)<BR/><BR/>"Being young doesn't mean it's impossible to see older films, but what young person who isn't specifically trying to study films made before they were born is going to see most of the films you're promoting?"<BR/><BR/>Ones with taste. And I have met many a person under 30 who is intimately familiar with classic films and weren't film students. <BR/><BR/>I haven't seen KNOCKED UP yet, but will. I've seen all three Austin Powers movie, one film's worth of jokes stretched over three. Amusing? Yes, but not "great" films.<BR/><BR/>I second RUGGLES OF RED GAP, with it's great performance by Charles Laughton, vastly superior to the Lucille Ball/Bob Hope remake. I like to imagine Hope in other Laughton roles, like Quasimodo. Notice the total absence of any Bob Hope movie in any of my postings here, though I would recommend THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938, but only because of WC Fields and Martha Raye. A Friend of mine dubbed it THE AGONY (Hope) AND THE ECSTASY (Fields). Same with Jerry Lewis, the Jim Carrey of his day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37567326584078167602007-08-06T11:58:00.000-07:002007-08-06T11:58:00.000-07:00Hey, john pearley hoffman, I was born and raised i...Hey, john pearley hoffman, I was born and raised in Kentucky, so I have to take issue with your implication that we marry our sisters. Outrageous! I mean, why buy the cow...? :)<BR/><BR/>d. mcewan, I thought for sure I'd be the first (and only) one to mention "Murder, He Says." I, too, saw it ages ago, and it had me in stitches. A few years ago, I found a publicity still of the cast at an antique store and grabbed it up. Would love to see it again, but I'm not holding my breath. By the way, your upcoming book sounds great. Will definitely keep an eye out for it.<BR/><BR/>A few years ago, the New Beverly theatre ran a double bill with great prints of "The Awful Truth" and "Midnight." That was one fantastic night at the movies. Great to see both mentioned here.<BR/><BR/>My favorite comedy, and probably my favorite movie, is Awful Truth director Leo McCarey's "Ruggles of Red Gap." Not sure how much the scripts of his films owe to his semi-improv technique, but the results are comedy gold.<BR/><BR/>A couple not yet mentioned:<BR/>"The Good Fairy" - William Wyler, with a script by Preston Sturges<BR/>"Shampoo" - there are dramatic, even tragic, notes in it, but it's mostly comedy, and quite an intelligent one at that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33594512920643863212007-08-06T09:19:00.001-07:002007-08-06T09:19:00.001-07:00I'm 56. I enjoy a lot of the old comedies, and cou...I'm 56. I enjoy a lot of the old comedies, and count many of them among my favorites. But please, d.mcewan, could we have a little less attitude? There are plenty of funny movies in the modern era. I consider Raising Arizona to be the funniest film I've ever seen. Personally, I like some of the older screwball comedies, but the artificial speaking style and zing zing zing dialogue completely ruins any chance that I will lose myself in the film and forget that I am watching a movie. If you prefer the good old days, fine, but please spare us the lectures. For every Jim Carrey movie there's a Royal Tennenbaums, which I loved. I also liked Knocked Up and the first Austin Powers movie. You can add Rushmore to the list, as well.<BR/><BR/>Being young doesn't mean it's impossible to see older films, but what young person who isn't specifically trying to study films made before they were born is going to see most of the films you're promoting? I was fortunate to grow up listening to my parents' swing records, and still enjoy big band music. But I certainly wasn't going to ignore rock so I could immerse myself in my parents' music. You're lecturing this kid because he isn't reliving your life.ChrisOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01323685811367184117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41210254835828419092007-08-06T09:19:00.000-07:002007-08-06T09:19:00.000-07:00"Chasing Amy" was a good try, but it was all over ..."Chasing Amy" was a good try, but it was all over the place. I couldn't stand it. I was trying to think of some movies people haven't mentioned, and I came up with these:<BR/><BR/><B>Fletch.</B> Perhaps the best one-liners of any movie ever made.<BR/><BR/><B>The Groove Tube.</B> This movie started what SNL made mainstream. Everything in this movie has been stolen at least a dozen times.<BR/><BR/><B>The Front Page.</B> An old, lesser known Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau movie. Very funny sendup of the news media.<BR/><BR/><B>Kung Fu Hustle.</B> A goofball gem, one of the few newer comedies that's stood the test of time with me.<BR/><BR/><B>Spaceballs.</B> I have seen this movie roughly 10,000 times.<BR/><BR/><B>UHF.</B> See above.<BR/><BR/>Honestly though, TV tends to have better comedy than movies. Some of the best weird stuff like "Mr. Show", "Stella", and "Kids in the Hall" can just never be matched.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18138124005671590152007-08-06T08:51:00.000-07:002007-08-06T08:51:00.000-07:00Hm. Does "Stage Door" count as a screenplay, given...Hm. Does "Stage Door" count as a screenplay, given how much of it was improvised on the set, and how much of it was completely dependent on the delivery of the actresses involved? Lucille Ball saying "I wanna do something with my hands" is flat-out hilarious in the film but on paper would probably seem baffling.<BR/><BR/>And it's not exactly the funniest screenplay ever, but for one-line zingers that still zing, I nominate "42nd Street."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13417623241886787242007-08-06T08:05:00.000-07:002007-08-06T08:05:00.000-07:00"Dogma" is one of the funniest scripts you'll ever..."Dogma" is one of the funniest scripts you'll ever read. The acting in the movie (cough / Linda / cough) practically ruins it, but if you just read the script, it's laugh after laugh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39137326006212679042007-08-06T05:53:00.000-07:002007-08-06T05:53:00.000-07:00Maybe this should be considered a Guilty Pleasure ...Maybe this should be considered a Guilty Pleasure but my favorite screenplay is the original In-Laws.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43956628307516380902007-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:002007-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:00Your avatar is awfully emotional for a dead woman....Your avatar is awfully emotional for a dead woman. In any event, "Anonymous" was mistaken in saying no one had brought up IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, as one Frank Conniff did bring it up earlier, as did "Dave", and they probably feel slighted by being called "Nobody" by someone who is themself anonymous.<BR/><BR/>I meant to mention earlier that I hartily second your mention of LIBELED LADY, a terrific movie.<BR/><BR/>I see I've leaned so far towards classics, that I've mentioned almost no more-recent films. I think ALL OF ME has a great screenplay, as does - gasp! - Jim Carrey's LIAR LIAR. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I saw LL, and thinking, "If only this starred Steve Martin instead of Jim Carrey, it would be a really good movie."<BR/><BR/>For another very obscure, forgotten comedy with a terrific screenplay (by Lou Breslow) the 1945 MURDER HE SAYS, with Fred MacMurray, Helen Walker, and Marjorie Main, directed by George Marshall. I haven't seen it in YEARS, but I remember finding this bizarre black comedy, in which Fred & Helen run afoul of a family of hayseed hillbilly murderers, really funny. Sort of MA & PA KETTLE crossbred with the family from THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and yes, just as weird as it sounds.<BR/><BR/>Regarding MIDNIGHT, which I felt so-so about. I checked out the redoubtable Miss Pauline Kael's write-up, and find I am definitely in the minority, as she loved it. Here's what she had to say in 5001 NIGHTS AT THE MOVIES:<BR/><BR/>"Rapturous fun. Slim-hipped, wide-eyed Claudette Colbert, stranded in Paris in an evening gown, gets involved with rich, aristocratic John Barrymore, who is trying to regain the affections of his straying wife, Mary Astor, who is hooked on dapper gigolo Francis Lederer. This romantic comedy, directed by Mitchell Leisen for Paramount, from a script by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, is one of the authentic delights of the 30s. The cast includes Hedda Hopper, Monty Woolley, Elaine Barrie, Rex O'Malley, and Don Ameche. Actually, Ameche has an important role; he isn't bad--for Ameche. Based on a story written for the screen by Edwin Justus Mayer and Franz Schulz."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27473303705977405492007-08-05T21:53:00.000-07:002007-08-05T21:53:00.000-07:00Anonymous said... No one mentioned Oscar winning "...<B><I>Anonymous said...</B> <BR/>No one mentioned Oscar winning "It Happened One Night"!</I><BR/><BR/>My avatar was a trifle upset when I brought up the oversight, since she dated the writer, Robert Riskin, but then noted that because of a scheduling conflict at her home studio, Paramount, she turned down "It Happened One Night" to do "Bolero," with George Raft, instead. <BR/><BR/>"Sorry I brought it up," I said nervously.<BR/><BR/>"Ah, it's the nature of the motion picture business," Carole replied. "Anyway, why should <I>you</I> be complaining? 'Bolero' was pre-Code -- you got to see me strip to my underwear!"VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39444292238167698002007-08-05T17:21:00.000-07:002007-08-05T17:21:00.000-07:00I am surprised that Ken did not include a Marx Bro...I am surprised that Ken did not include a Marx Brothers film. No list of favorite comedy screenplays seems to be complete without one. I am also a bit surprised at the choice of Tin Men over Diner from Barry Levinson. I would definitely give the nod to Diner as a better screenplay.<BR/><BR/>I admit that I have not seen the movie version of The Man Who Came to Dinner but the stage play is one of the funniest I have ever seen. Movie screenplay by Julius and Philip Epstein based on the Hart and Kauffman play.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to all the other commenters for giving me so many movies to add to my "Want to See" list.The O'Brien's Teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00851127128535644788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67915777119673190122007-08-05T17:09:00.000-07:002007-08-05T17:09:00.000-07:00No one mentioned Oscar winning "It Happened One Ni...No one mentioned Oscar winning "It Happened One Night"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45284698182633741132007-08-05T16:38:00.000-07:002007-08-05T16:38:00.000-07:00"Doug, you're not younger than you think. You're a..."Doug, you're not younger than you think. You're a school teacher."<BR/><BR/>Well, guilty, but only briefly. I did guest-teach a film appreciation course at Saddleback College for one semester 30 years ago. Great job. I would select favorite movies of mine, run them for the class, and then lecture on them afterwards. But other than that, all I've taught is improv.<BR/><BR/>However, I do have a book on Classic Monster Movies of the 30s, 40s, & 50s coming out September 25. The primary purpose of the book is to encourage young people who have never watched anything in black and white, and who think scary movies should be about slicing off bits of hot models in filthy warehouses, fun though that may be, to watch the great Karloff, Lugosi, Chaney, Price, Cushing & Christopher Lee films, and learn to enjoy the classics. They're classics for a reason.<BR/><BR/>Gee, this HAS been fun. Thanks Ken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60168494171762943042007-08-05T15:45:00.000-07:002007-08-05T15:45:00.000-07:00in response to dhppy, it might have been helen hun...in response to dhppy, it might have been helen hunt. <BR/><BR/>is there anything more fun (than the obvious sex, drugs and perversity) than listing out one's fave comedies?<BR/><BR/>so many of mine listed here but i wish to add 'fargo' and 'starship troopers' to the black comedy list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com