I feel like that's an unfortunate byproduct of modern-day film (and television) comedy in general, and probably a big reason why I've exponentially grown to love Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, early Laurel & Hardy, Charley Chase and other silent masters - that era was really the only time where all of a comedy was perfectly geared towards a visual medium for obvious reasons. Meanwhile, so much of a comedy in the modern era is based around sketch comedy and stand-up routines, becoming much more dependent on verbal cues.
― birdistheword, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:01 (seven months ago) link
*all of comedy
― birdistheword, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:02 (seven months ago) link
Darn these Talkies have ruined everything
― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:14 (seven months ago) link
https://img.nbc.com/sites/nbcunbc/files/images/2015/5/04/140208_2723724_Weekend_Update_Segment___Grumpy_Old_Man_anvver_1.jpg
In my day, we didn't have "DIALOGUE"!
― birdistheword, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:37 (seven months ago) link
That's an extremely clever sketch (idea) that somehow never actually reaches "funny".
― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:39 (seven months ago) link
I kind of like the few "famous stories about great artists" sketches I can remember from that era - it seems like a concept they really enjoyed doing, partly so they can go to town with depicting gross mischaracterizations. For example, the one where Ringo goes from "I'm just happy to be here!" to being really opinionated about the direction the Beatles should take during their formidable years, and also when Picasso is a loud-mouthed cheap buffoon who pays everything by scribbling a doodle. (Not even that - at one point he sneezes some snot into a tissue and says "why it's another masterpiece from Picasso!" and proceeds to sign it and toss it on to the ground, prompting all the waiters to dive for it.)
― birdistheword, Friday, 6 October 2023 18:48 (seven months ago) link
Showed my class the boxing match from City Lights; they laughed
Watching "City Lights" right now and the boxing match is so brilliantly choreographed - and funny. I feel like see dozens of "comical" boxing scenes in movies but this is the best by a million miles.
― I've left the box of soup near your shoes (Tom D.), Saturday, 4 May 2024 13:20 (four weeks ago) link
... I feel like I've seen, that is.
It really is, down to the split-second--especially the way Chaplin keeps disappearing behind the referee.
― clemenza, Saturday, 4 May 2024 16:27 (four weeks ago) link