Funny: The Movies

– The book talks about Tricksters; John Belushi in “Animal House” is one of the great examples, embracing havoc for havoc’s sake.

– Proof that comedy doesn’t get the respect it deserves: Steve Martin has never won an Oscar.

– “The Court Jester” was, at the time, the most expensive comedy ever made… and still one of the best. (“The chalice from the palace” is in a different trailer.)

– A Chaplin party trick became one of the iconic comedy bits of all time, reprised last year by Amy Adams in “The Muppets”.

Funny: The Movies: The Sequel

– “Some Like It Hot” is generally considered the funniest movie ever made.

– One of those lines constantly quoted by those irritating people who constantly quote Monty Python. Like me.

– No one did Stupid/Smart like Judy Holliday.

– Bringing American 6th-grade humor to the world: “Airplane!”

Funny: The Battle of the Sexes

– “The Thin Man” is still one of the most sophisticated (and sexy) depictions of marriage.

– Why you’re not friends with the people you think you’re friends with.

– “Two For The Road”: Man the Aggressor; Woman the Victorious.

– Snark, thy name is “Juno”.

Funny: The Stand-ups

– From what some believe is the greatest stand-up performance ever filmed.

– Lenny may be more provocative today than ever.

– Perhaps if it had been carefully explained that “Who” was the man’s actual name, all the confusion could have been avoided.

– Steve Martin brings existentialism to standup.

– Woody was probably the smartest comic in history; this joke made Carson collapse.

– Mel and Carl’s improvised routines made literal and figurative history.

Funny: The Chase

– Buster is my hero. Note how he slides facing the camera. And, by the way, that hurt.

– Buster is Jackie’s hero. But who else could do that bike-jump?

– Woody attacked by Freud.

– Director Peter Bogdonavich, a scholar of film history, revived the art of slapstick in “What’s Up Doc”.

Funny: The Body 1

– The world’s noisiest campfire was outrageous at the time; it still is.

– Mr. Creosote’s digestive issues also shocked audiences.

– A slumdog has a crappy day.

– Bridesmaids, please: Avoid the hair.