Comedy Films

Skyla Tosh

Understanding Film

Mr. Carpenter

12 April 2015

Comedy Films

        Comedy films are made to make people happy. Sitting in a movie theater, laughing out loud, in a crowd full of happy people is a wonderful feeling. I personally love the feeling I get when I watch a funny movie with my friends. Most of the time people watch a comedy movie when they need a laugh. Costume Drama films came along a little later, but also leave you with a ton of emotion. Comedy films have been around for many years, are made to make viewers laugh, Costume Drama films are full of emotion and detail.

        Comedy films have been around for many years. The first comedy film was made in 1907 by the French. The U.S. did not get comedy films until 1912. Mack Sennett was one of the first comedy film makers. He started the “Keystone Kops.” He would end these films with a rapid chase with many stunts that the comics actually performed themselves. (Bergan, 87).

        The Jews were also famous for comedy films. “The ‘Jewish comedies’ of post- World War I German film utilized and emphasized stereotypes in order to examine the notion of assimilation and its (imagined) boundaries. Notably, the protagonists of these films did not wish to assimilate into the German nation, but rather directed their yearning towards a comparatively limited milieu, defined by its location and its culture: the urban liberal bourgeoisie” (Ashkenazi, 570).  The Jewish filmmakers did use the “Jew” stereotype in their films. “During the years 1918 and 1933 Jewish film-makers played a crucial role in the endeavor to formulate links between the cinematic image and the nature and boundaries of modern identity. Jewish filmmakers did not shy away from contemplating the cinematic construction of ‘the Jew’ and the prospects and limits of assimilation. Consequently, Jewish characters were seen in the most popular genres of Weimar cinema, such as the exotic adventure films and war films” (Ashkenazi, 570).  Most of the comedy films were not made in the studio’s until the war had ended. (Ashkenazi, 571).

        Romantic comedies were called Black Satire’s. “Dr. Strangelove” was made in 1964 and is an example of a black satire. In a typical romantic comedy there are two young lovers who seem to be meant for each other, but they are kept apart for various reasons. After getting past all of the problems they finally get to be with each other in the end. The ending is almost always a fairy-tale-style wedding and overly done. (Bergan, 89)

        Ealing Studios produced a few comedies between 1947 and 1957. Some of those movies consist of “Hue and Cry” and “Barnacle Bill.” (Bergan, 90).