Subgenre Sampler

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Big Business (1988): Dir. Jim Abrahams
Feat. Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Fred Ward…; Midler and Tomlin play sets of identical twins in this mixed–identity farce.
Bless This House (1972): Dir. Gerald Thomas
Feat. Sidney James; Sidney Carry–On James is the long–suffering head of a madcap household, whose constant tomfoolery cause him endless headaches; his…
Pocket Money (1972): Dir. Stuart Rosenberg
Feat. Paul Newman, Lee Marvin, Strother Martin…; Broke and in debt, an otherwise honest cowboy gets mixed up in some shady dealings with a crooked rancher. Amiable comedy written by a pre–fame…
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus (1971): Dir. Ian Macnaughton
Feat. John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam…; A particularly surreal later–Python, first released on German television. Features strange and often absurd English subtitles.
Plaza Suite (1971): Dir. Arthur Hiller
Feat. Walter Matthau, Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris…; Walter Mathau takes on three roles in this winning trilogy of one act plys by Neil Simon all set in the same hotel suite.
Skin Game (1971): Dir. Paul Bogart
Feat. James Garner, Louis Jr. Gossett, Susan Clark…; Beguiling comedy about a pair of con–artists who pose as master and slave to deceive unsuspecting rednecks in the post–civil war era.
Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came (1970): Dir. Hy Averback
Feat. Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Suzanne Pleshette…; Tensions rise to boiling point between an Army base and a neighbouring redneck town in this off–beat satire.
Where's Poppa? (Going Ape) (1970): Dir. Carl Reiner
Feat. George Segal, Ruth Gordon, Ron Leibman…; George Segal becomes determined to hurry along the demise of his ultra–demanding, super–senile 87 year–old mom (Ruth Gordon). Few…
Cactus Flower (1969): Dir. Gene Saks
Feat. Goldie Hawn, Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau; Broadway adaptation won a supporting actress Oscar for Goldie Hawn, playing second fiddle to Ingrid Bergman for the love of dentist Walter Matthau.…
Virgin Soldiers, The (1969): Dir. Norman Cohen
Feat. Lynn Redgrave, Hywel Bennett, Nigel Davenport…; Comdey–drama following a squad of naive young British soldiers in 1950's Singapore who fall for the daughter of the Regimental Sergeant Major.
Caprice (1967): Dir. Frank Tashlin
Feat. Doris Day, Richard Harris, Michael J. Pollard; Madcap comedy features Day as a spy for a cosmetics company who stumbles upon a drug smuggling ring. Richard Harris plays a fellow agent who may or…
Walk, Don't Run (1966): Dir. Charles Walters
Feat. Cary Grant; During the Tokyo Olympics, an American athlete shares an apartment with an amorous distraction and a wealthy businessman. Breezy comedy marks Cary…
Outlaws Is Coming, The (1965): Dir. Norman Maurer
Feat. Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Joe De Rita; In their last comic feature, the Three Stooges don cowboy hats for a slapstick romp in the Wild West.
Heavens Above (1963): Dir. John Boulting
Feat. Peter Sellers; Frightfully British satire of life in the clergy saved from 'Carry–On' status by Peter Sellers' winning performance.
Courtship of Eddie's Father, The (1962): Dir. Vincente Minnelli
Feat. Glenn Ford, Ron Howard, Shirley Jones; Wholesome family comedy, wherein widower Glenn Ford is prodded into romance by his six–year son Ron Howard (who went on to become the…
Three Stooges in Orbit / Meet Hercules (1962): Dir. Edward Bernds
Feat. Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe De Rita; Two features in which the three kings of slapstick are propelled into space with hostile Martians, and visit ancient Rome via a time machine.
Wrong Arm of the Law, The (1962): Dir. Cliff Owen
Feat. Peter Sellers, Lionel Jeffries, Bernard Cribbins…; Hilarious comic spoof, in which a gang of Australian thieves is pursued by Scotland Yard and criminal underworld alike. Peter Sellers is at the…
Days of Thrills and Laughter (1961): Dir. Various
Feat. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charles Chaplin…; The third in Robert Youngson's trilogy of definitive compilations of silent comedy, this time with swashbuckling action to match the outrageous…
Tall Story (1960): Dir. Joshua Logan
Feat. Jane Fonda, Anthony Perkins; A young Jane Fonda makes her screen debut in this candy–coated comedy as a bubbly co–ed with romantic yearnings for basketballer Anthony…
When Comedy Was King (1960): Dir. Various
Feat. Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel…; Second anthology of priceless silent comedy from complier Robert Youngson features excerpts from the likes of Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel & Hardy,…
Golden Age of Comedy, The (1957): Dir. Various
Feat. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Ben Turpin…; Perfect introduction to the world of silent comedy, this is the first of three celebrated compilations from cinephile Robert Youngson. Hailed as…
Forever Darling (1956): Dir. Alexander Hall
Feat. Lucille Ball, James Mason, Desi Arnaz; The unique talents of Lucille Ball is the strongest aspect of this 'dysfunctional marriage' comedy, starring James Mason as her Guardian Angel. Ball…
Hollywood or Bust (1956): Dir. Frank Tashlin
Feat. Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin; Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin try to crash the Hollywood lifestyle, in frenzied style.
Plucking the Daisy (Mademoiselle Striptease) (1956): Dir. Roger Vadim
Feat. Brigitte Bardot, Roger Vadim; One of the Brigitte Bardot/Roger Vadim light comedies that relies on Bardot's charms rather more than the simple story of a smalltown woman who is…
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955): Dir. Charles Lamont
Feat. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello; An interesting 'Abbott and Costello' where the duo, circa 1914, take refuge from crooks by hiding in the Mack Sennett studios and end up…
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955): Dir. Charles Lamont
Feat. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Marie Windsor; One of the better films in the 'Abbott and Costello' series, sees the bumbling duo wrapped up in the intrigue surrounding the excavation of The…
Long, Long Trailer, The (1954): Dir. Vincente Minnelli
Feat. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz; Gallivanting in an enormous RV across America, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz journey to disaster in this winning slapstick comedy. The classic TV…
Student Prince, The (1954): Dir. Richard Thorpe
Feat. Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, John Ericson…; Taken from the operetta by Sigmund Romberg, and the third filmed version of the tale of a young Prince breaking out into the real world by falling in…
Who Done It? (1954): Dir. Basil Dearden
Feat. Benny Hill; A young Benny Hill nudges and winks his way through his only feature film, as a novice private eye who gets involved with foreign spies.
Young at Heart (1954): Dir. Gordon Douglas
Feat. Frank Sinatra, Doris Day; Slick musical with Frank Sinatra wooing Doris Day, while trying to make it as a singer.
Captain's Paradise (1953): Dir. Anthony Kimmins
Feat. Alec Guinness, Yvonne De Carlo, Celia Johnson; Nautical romp with captain Alec Guinness paying the price of having a wife in two ports – sultry Yvonne De Carlo and a genial Celia Johnson.
Jumping Jacks (1952): Dir. Norman Taurog
Feat. Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin; The comic duo of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin make an unlikely pair of paratroopers.
Love Nest (1952): Dir. Joseph M. Newman
Feat. Marilyn Monroe; Unremarkable comedy about nosey neighbours in a broken–down apartment block, one of whom is Marilyn Monroe.
Pat and Mike (1952): Dir. George Cukor
Feat. Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy; Athlete Katharine Hepburn pursues track triumphs with the aid of coach Spencer Tracy. Hepburn–Tracy coupling runs like a well–oiled…
Scared Stiff (1952): Dir. George Marshall
Feat. Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin; Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin make a ‘spooktacle’ of themselves in this version of Paul Dickey and Charles Goddard’s Broadway hit.
We're Not Married (1952): Dir. Edmund Goulding
Feat. Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen…; Overlooked Marilyn Monroe starrer is a multi–episode comedy in which six married couples find out their weddings weren't legitimate.
What Price Glory? (1952): Dir. John Ford
Feat. James Cagney, Dan Dailey, Corinne Calvet; Soldiers James Cagney and Dan Dailey take time out from the trenches of WWI for some zesty romantic rivalry over local attraction Corrinne Calvet.
As Young As You Feel (1951): Dir. Harmon Jones
Feat. Marilyn Monroe; A young Marilyn Monroe has a support role in this affable corporate satire about a printing employee who won’t sit still for retirement. Based on a…
Green Grow the Rushes (1951): Dir. Derek Twist
Feat. Richard Burton, Honor Blackman, Roger Livesey…; Minor comedy, of the English variety, set in a brandy–soaked Kent village.
Magnet, The (1950): Dir. Charles Frend
Feat. Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh, James Fox; After tricking a school–chum out of a toy magnet, an 11yr–old James Fox gets the guilts and resolves to 'do good'. Quirkily…
It's a Great Feeling (1949): Dir. David Butler
Feat. Jack Carson, Dennis Morgan, Doris Day…; Soft–edged Hollywood satire with Jack Carson, Denny Morgan and Doris Day on the path to success. Notable for its great array of show–biz…
Love Happy (1949): Dir. David Miller
Feat. Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Marilyn Monroe; Final Marx Bros. comedy, is a downbeat entry, with a brief scene with Marilyn Monroe.
My Friend Irma (1949): Dir. George Marshall
Feat. Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin; Clown–prince Jerry Lewis first teamed with Dean Martin in this airheaded comedy based on a hit CBS radio–show.
Quartet (1949): Dir. Ken Annakin, Arthur Crabtree, Harold French
Feat. Dirk Bogarde, Basil Radford, Honor Blackman; Four W Somerset Maugham stories are given exemplary treatment by the best of British, incl. Dirk Bogarde, Basil Radford and Honor Blackman. Unlike…
Rachel and the Stranger (1948): Dir. Norman Foster
Feat. William Holden, Loretta Young, Robert Mitchum; Western 'rom–com' with husband William Holden and 'stranger' Robert Mitchum competing for the affections of Loretta Young ('Rachel') towards…
Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer, The (1947): Dir. Irving Reis
Feat. Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple…; Playboy bachelor Cary Grant is ordered by Judge Myrna Loy to escort her teenage sister (Shirley Temple), so that the ‘bobby–soxer’ might…
Farmer's Daughter, The (1947): Dir. H.C. Potter
Feat. Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore…; Congressman Joseph Cotton's maid, Loretta Young, decides to run against him in the next election. A perceptive comedy that won an Oscar for Young.
Sin of Harold Diddlebock, The (Mad Wednesday) (1947): Dir. Preston Sturges
Feat. Harold Lloyd; Harold Lloyd’s last film transplants his go–getting character from the silent film ‘The Freshman’ into the rather different comic…
Wonder Man (1945): Dir. Bruce Humberstone
Feat. Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo, Vera-Ellen…; A typically zany fairy–tale for Danny Kaye, as a mild–mannered student persuaded by the ghost of his dead twin to seek out his murderer.…
Road to Morocco (1942): Dir. David Butler
Feat. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour; Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour do their bit for the war effort by enchanting the public with mad–cap (rom)antics on the North African…
Devil and Miss Jones, The (1941): Dir. Sam Wood
Feat. Charles Coburn, Jean Arthur; Tycoon Charles Coburn goes undercover to investigate union activities, and instead falls for shopgirl Jean Arthur. Well–regarded social comedy.
You'll Never Get Rich (1941): Dir. Sidney Lanfield
Feat. Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, John Hubbard…; Generally amusing showbiz comedy has Fred Astaire play a star Broadway dancer who helps his boss (Benchley) out of trouble with his wife over a…
Road to Singapore (1940): Dir. Victor Schertzinger
Feat. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour; The first of half a dozen 'Road to' films has Bing Crosby and Bob Hope as clowning, crooning rivals vying for the affections of Dorothy Lamour.
Oh! Mr Porter (1937): Dir. Marcel Varnel
Feat. Will Hay; One of the best British comedies of the 1930s, this predates Ealing in its winning blend of whimsy, slapstick and inventiveness. Will Hay plays a…
Jacques Tati Shorts (1936): Dir. Jacques Tati; Three rare short comedies for those that can't get enough of the French funnyman. Watch your Left! (1936), School for Postmen (1947), and Evening…
Le Crime De Monsieur Lange (1935): Dir. Jean Renoir
Feat. Rene Lefevre, Florelle , Jules Berry; One of the dir.’s early classics. Rene Leferve rises to newsprint fame as the author of the serial “Arizona Jim” after his boss, a…
She Married Her Boss (1935): Dir. Gregory La Cava
Feat. Claudette Colbert; Pleasant romantic comedy stars Claudette Colbert, who just may regret her marital decision.
Whole Town's Talking, The (1935): Dir. John Ford
Feat. Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Arthur Hohl…; Edward G. Robinson stars in a duel role as a meek office clerk who bares a resemblance to Public Enemy Number One. Entertaining mix of farce and…
Merry Widow, The (1934): Dir. Ernst Lubitsch
Feat. Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald; Out of cold–blooded patriotism to his homeland Marshovia, gadabout Maurice Chevalier attempts to seduce millionairess Jeanette MacDonald into…
Devil's Brother, The (1933): Dir. Hal Roach
Feat. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy; Laurel and Hardy become fearless highwaymen in 1700s Italy but meet their match in a notorious highwayman. Funny spoof of Auber's operetta.
Monkey Business (1931): Dir. Norman Z. McLeod
Feat. Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx…; The four Marx Brothers stowaway, crash a society party and manage to hatch a few crooks in the process. Another exercise in breathlessly sustained…
Parlour, Bedroom & Bath (1931): Dir. Edward Sedgewick
Feat. Buster Keaton; Buster Keaton is mistaken for a rich playboy in one of his rare 'talkies'. Not in the same league as his silent classics, but an interesting curio.
Sally in Our Alley (1931): Dir. Maurice Elvey
Feat. Gracie Fields; Gracie Fields debuted in this lightweight English comedy as a heartbroke girl who, on moving to London, hits it off splendid with the Cockneys.…
Wizard of Oz, The (1922): Dir. Larry Semon
Feat. Oliver Hardy, Larry Semon; Original adaptation of the L Frank Baum story, conjures up more laughs than the Judy Garland version, with Oliver Hardy as the Tin–Man, and…
Laurel and Hardy's Laughing 20s (1920-1929): Feat. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy; A Robert Youngson compilation of shorts from the formidable comedy duo.
Harold Lloyd Collection - Disc 4 (The Kid Brother, Bumping into Broadway, Billy Blazes Esq.) (1919-1927): Dir. Ted Wilde, J A Howe, Hal Roach
Feat. Harold Lloyd; Three classic Harold Lloyd features/shorts. Includes THE KID BROTHER, one of Lloyd's best comedies; he plays an unappreciated sibling in a family…
Burlesque On Carmen (1916): Dir. Charles Chaplin
Feat. Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Ben Turpin; A twist ending highlights Chaplin's second 'feature' in which his forlorn soldier is loved and left by a gypsy girl.
Laffing Gas (1914-1929): Dir. Various
Feat. Charles Chaplin; Prime comic–narcotic from the early days of the movies and the heyday of Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Harold Llyod, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and…
Laugh with the Carry On's: Dir. Gerald Thomas
Feat. Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Sid James; Best of the Laugh with the Carry On's TV–Series which starred the same cast as the films.

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Subgenre Sampler