Jenny in Florida Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Okay, we're getting pretty tired of watching the same movies over and over. Plus, my son seems to have the makings of a genuine film lover. So, we're trying to expand his horizons a bit. Specifically, we're trying to think of some classic "screwball" comedies. You know, the ones with the silly, impossibly complex plots? Some of our favorites of the genre are: Some Like It Hot Bringing Up Baby What's Up, Doc? Foul Play Philadelphia Story Noises Off (although that's probably more of a farce, if you want to get technical) I've done some web surfing and keep finding lists, but nothing is really jumping out at me as being our next favorite. Any ideas? My son is 10, but we're not terribly worried about romantic content. As long as there's nothing graphic, it's no big deal. I would prefer to avoid serious language issues, and violence should be minimal (although that's not likely to be a big problem in these flicks). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Not sure if it's your cup of tea, but how about Dr. Strangelove? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 It Happened One Night Harvey Arsenic and Old Lace (its been awhile since I've seen it so it may not be all that screw ball-y, but....) and that's all my befuddled brain can think of at this point on Sunday night (wine with dinner, doncha know?!!) Although, the early Rogers and Astaire musicals have pretty screw ball plots: Top Hat Swing Time Gay Divorcee ummmm -- can't think of the other titles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 I always loved Foul Play, lol. How about... Seems Like Old Times Murder by Death The In-Laws some of the old Pink Panther movies Monty Python movies Deathtrap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 It Happened One Night The Front Page (and the other one, like it) Adam and Eve....shoot, the Tracy Hepburn one about two attorneys. Its a Mad....Mad World Marx Brothers...maybe Arsenic and Old Lace Ohhhh can't remember name...the one were the dad and uncle were inventors in the basement and mother was an writer and they had a pack of daughters from the late 40's I think Drop Dead Darling (Tony Curtis as a lady killer) If Its Tuesday, this must be Belgium Mother, Jugs, and Speed (although it gets stupid in the middle, Larry Hageman as the perverted ambulance driver who is bitten by a rat after falling through a staircase carrying out the hugest woman alive on a stretcher, which gets away from him and flies down the city streets is an opening scene you just can't miss). ooops, I just saw this was for your son. Mother, Jugs and Speed is for grown-ups. Genevieve (an antique car race in England) A New Leaf The Out of Towners with Sandy Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Once Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 We just finished watching Mr. Bean's Holiday. It is rated G. My kids laughed alot. I think Mr. Bean is as screwball as you can get. Dh and I remembered It's a Mad Mad Mad World. It is an oldie but we remembered liking it way back when. There is a 1970's version out but I have not watched it. I'm thinking of the one from 1963. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The North Avenue Irregulars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The Man Who Knew Too Little The Man With One Red Shoe Shanghai Noon Glass Bottom Boat Happy Go Lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Cat Ballou (1965, Jane Fonda & Lee Marvin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 In addition to some of the oldies but goodies already mention I offer up the following from the screwball comedy genre: Murder, He Says with Fred McMurray (if you've never seen it you'll recognize a few of the scenes because it is frequently ripped off) Topper with Cary Grant My Man Godfrey with William Powell The Thin Man and sequels with William Powell and Myrna Loy (which also have a mystery element) I Was a Male War Bride with Cary Grant His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell (this is one of my all-time favorites) Nothing Sacred with Carole Lumbard and Fredric March Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Alfred Hitchcock's only true comedy) kalanamak-are you thinking of Adam's Rib? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Cary Grant made quite a few of them -- 80 movies to pick screwball comedies from :) I love Cary Grant.. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laylamcb Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell (this is one of my all-time favorites) His Girl Friday is one of my all-time faves, too--fabulous movie! I don't know if others would agree, but The Hudsucker Proxy reminded me of it in some ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 I would check out Mel Brooks' films, anything with Steve Martin, Pink Panther, we love Mr. Bean around here. Love Young Frankenstein! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 You can't forget all of the Abbott and Costello, Three Stooges, Marx Brothers, Ma and Pa Kettle, and Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis movies (and Charlie Chaplin). Then there's: The Incredible Mr. Limpit (w/Don Knotts as a fish--I loved this movie as a kid!) Mr. Mom The Money Pit The Long, Long Trailer Mrs. Doubtfire InnerSpace Home Alone What About Bob RV Ghostbusters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivetails Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Spaceballs :D (I think that fits this genre?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 the one where the dad is an inventor in the basement and the mom is a writer and the entire family is wacky is You Can't Take it With You. It has Jimmy Stewart in it and it is one funny,screwball movie I also agree with His Girl Friday and Arsinic and Old Lace, both very crazy funny movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Virginia Dawn Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Some that haven't been mentioned: Don Knotts: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Hot Lead and Cold Feet Gus Monkeys Go Home (Dean Jones) Doris Day is in a lot of romantic comedies besides The Glass Bottom Boat, that one is hilarious. Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis movies (did someone mention that?) The Naked Gun movies (Leslie Neilson) Happy Gilmore (this is not one of my favorites but dh loves it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhM Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 A lot of good ones mentioned! Thanks for the list, dh and I love to watch these. I don't think these were mentioned yet: Another Tony-Curtis-as-lady-killer: Arrivederci, Baby! Cary Grant: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Not really screwball, but I love the original Bedazzled. Did anyone mention His Girl Friday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Everyone has covered all the classics - I'd add Harold Lloyd in The Milky Way (talkie) and has your son seen Gunga Din? If you want to have some big laughs - try the silent Lloyd features The Freshman, Safety Last, The Kid Brother, - heck, any Lloyd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Not quite screwball, but one of our favorite older comedies is Whiskey Galore! (aka Tight Little Island). It's unfortunately not available standalone, but is part of the Ealing Studios Comedy Collection. Netflix carries it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The Thin Man movies (with Myrna Loy and William Powell) Arsenic and Old Lace (Cary Grant) Pretty much Cary Grant movie (comedy not drama) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbledeb Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 'Road to .....' movies with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Almost anything with Charlie Chaplin. Rat Race (a modern update of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 I saw the title of your thread and was all prepared to respond, but you've already listed my favorites! I didn't know anyone else was a fan of Noises Off! :D I know you asked for movies, but you might also enjoy old Police Squad! videos if you can find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Whew! I was afraid no one was going to mention the Bob Hope movies! Abbott and Costello: Africa Screams, and Jack and the Beanstalk are loved here. Danny Kaye in The Court Jester! Laurel and Hardy... You guys have listed many of my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria from IN Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 My Favorite Year with Peter O'Toole and Mark Linn-Baker.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laylamcb Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Cary Grant: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Oh.my.garsh! YES. Mr. Blandings is a side-splitter that never gets old. One of Cary Grant's best comedic turns, along with His Girl Friday (did I already mention that it's one of all-time faves? :D). And for funniest onscreen moments, his double-take in Arsenic and Old Lace takes the cake. I've seen it a thousand times, and his face makes me laugh every single time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 One Two Three with James Cagny (1961) Hopscotch with Walter Matthau (1980) The Great Outdoors with Dan Ackroyd and John Candy (1988) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happygrrl Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell (this is one of my all-time favorites) Oh Yes. mine too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The first thing that came into my mind was : Doris Day. For better or for worse. But here is my fav link for that sort of film: http://www.greencine.com/static/primers/screwball.jsp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 The Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez Road to Zanzibar/Morocco/Rio/Singapore/Bali movies with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope Mr. Roberts What about Strictly Ballroom? I haven't seen this in a long time, so I can't remember if there is anything that I wouldn't let my kids watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma23peas Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Don Knotts was mentioned, but two of my FAVES of his are without a doubt Private Eyes (he and his sidekick are investigating a haunted mansion! :) the Apple Dumpling Gang Enjoy!! Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'm writing down notes and adding things to my Netflix queue as we speak. Some of these are things that we've already watched, but there are a lot of great suggestions here. Thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.