Comedy

  • Various – Questa è la vita AKA Of Life and Love (1954)

    1951-1960ClassicsComedyItalyVarious

    Movie in 4 episodes, taken from as many short stories by Luigi Pirandello.

    1) “La giara”: in order to repair the jar of quarrelsome Don Lolò, zi ‘Dima remains locked inside it;

    2) “Il ventaglino”: an unwed mother spends the first money received in charity to buy a fan;

    3) “La patente”: a jinx requires that he be officially recognized, with a licence, his ability to bring bad luck;

    4) “Marsina stretta”: the anger for a too tight tailcoat induces a best man to make celebrate a wedding that the groom’s rich parents were trying to avoid.Read More »

  • Vicco von Bülow & Renate Westphal-Lorenz – Pappa ante Portas (1991)

    1991-2000ComedyGermanyRenate Westphal-LorenzVicco von Bülow

    What happens if your husband is early retired? That is the master question of Germany’s famous actor, writer and director Vicco von Bülow’s comedy. He understands very well to show the audience the small things of life, that can be funny as well. Although nothing important or extraordinary happens in this movie, it is interesting for every minute. You won’t find simple jokes and gags (like in a Zucker movie) in this film, but you will be fascinated about the subtle sense of humor of Loriot. The only thing to criticise is the very poor quality of scenery and camerawork what seems to be an effect of the low budget of this film. But I would consider “Pappa ante portas” (a German-Latin play on words that means “Daddy in front of the door” and is an allusion to the Latin figure of speech “Hannibal ante portas”) as one of the ten funniest German movies in the history of German comedies.Read More »

  • Claude Faraldo – Themroc (1973)

    1971-1980Claude FaraldoComedyCultFranceThe Films of May '68

    Plot summary:
    From Channel 4 Film:
    Factory worker Piccoli gets into trouble when he’s caught watching his boss shag a secretary. It’s the final straw. Oppressed by the system, hounded by his mother (Herviale) and bored witless by his menial job, Piccoli cracks. He goes home, takes a sledgehammer to his possessions, turns his room into a cave and starts grunting like a horny Neanderthal before making a move on his sister, Romand.Read More »

  • Kaaren Kaer – Malev aka Men at Arms (2005)

    2001-2010AdventureComedyEstoniaKaaren Kaer

    “Estonian history gets a topsy-turvy interpretation in this satiric comedy from director Kaaren Kaer. Uru (Ott Sepp) is an adventurous young man who has been getting in touch with his compassionate side while studying at a monastery. When he comes back home to Estonia, he finds things are not as he might have hoped; both France and Germany are trying to lay claim to his homeland, and the nation is preparing itself for a long battle to win its independence. Despite his non-violent philosophy, Uru is drawn into the war to free his people, though it soon becomes evident neither strategy or combat skills are his strong suit. Malev (aka Men At Arms) was written by members of O-Fraktsioon, a noted Estonian sketch-comedy troupe. “
    by Mark DemingRead More »

  • Joe May – Music in the Air (1934)

    1931-1940ComedyJoe MayMusicalUSA

    Synopsis:
    Constantly quarreling couple decide to try the jealousy angle when a naive young couple comes along.

    Review:
    The screen edition of the Kern-Hammerstein musical play is a skillfully photographed work which includes among its ballads, songs and snatches some of the most distinguished melodies of this cinema season. From the Music Hall’s screen and also the throats of John Boles and Gloria Swanson, “Music in the Air” sends out in a high-hearted cavalcade all the gay, tender and superbly romantic lyrics which warmed the flinty heart of Broadway back in the Winter of ’32.Read More »

  • Tinto Brass – Cosi fan tutte AKA All Ladies Do It (1992)

    1991-2000ComedyEroticaItalyTinto Brass

    Synopsis:
    Diana is a Roman wife happily married to sympathetic Paolo but she is keen on playing benign games of seduction with other men while resisting the advances of chic lingerie shop owner Silvio. She narrates her adventures to Paolo in order to stimulate their otherwise monotonous sexual life. However, under the influence of her lesbian friend Antonietta and raunchy sister Nadia, Diana starts to move the ongoings further while Paolo is still prone to believing that events narrated by her are merely fantasies.Read More »

  • Sacha Guitry – Le mot de Cambronne AKA The Word of Cambronne (1937)

    1931-1940ComedyFranceSacha GuitryShort Film

    Ms. Cambronne, of British origin, to whom much has been said the “word” of her husband, the press questions in order to know the meaning. But the general refused any explanation and continues to be silent. Finally, Adele, a pretty maid, will build Ms. Cambronne uttering the famous words in a moment of awkwardness.Read More »

  • Tony Smith – What Mad Pursuit? (1985)

    1981-1990BBCComedyTony SmithTVUnited Kingdom

    BBC One London, 24 November 1985 21.05

    A series of stories by Noël Coward

    Screenplay by STANLEY PRICE starring Carroll Baker and Paul Daneman with Neil Cunningham , Jane Carr and Sandra Dickinson
    If you were a famous English novelist doing a whistle stop tour of the United States to promote your books, wouldn’t you welcome with open arms the chance of a quiet weekend away from it all in a remote corner of Long Island? Of course you would. Well, let what happened to Evan Lorrimer be an awful warning….Read More »

  • Tinto Brass – Miranda (1985)

    1981-1990ComedyEroticaItalyTinto Brass

    Miranda is a beautiful woman who runs a local tavern. After the loss of her husband in WWII, she tries out a variety of men. Over the course of four seasons she meets four men: in Winter the rich old council; in Spring there is the young chauffeur; in Summer the American G.I.; and in Autumn, the servant of the Tavern. Now she has to make a decision, who would be the best lover as well husband.Read More »

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