agree with Horatio - might add that Hollywood of old recruited performers who were successful already: in Vaudeville, dance, radio, singing (think Hope, Crosby, Astaire, Jack Benny, Jack Burns, Grable, etc. etc.) - comedies were written around these talents. Note, too, that several of these 'comics' succeeded for decades on multiple platforms (stage, radio, movies, TV i.e. Crosby, Abbot & Costello, Benny). Today, a standup comic might move to movies and make 2 or 3 flicks, before bombing out.
Production Code kept the wisecracks subtle and witty. Satire and self-deprecation made for ongoing laughs. Bob Hope: "I get the bends when I'm dunking for apples!" "I couldn't happen to a nicer girl!". Plots weren't too important, and the pace tended to be quick. Several actors did 'physical' comedy, a lost art.
Modern productions also feature gross jokes, explicit sight gags, and toilet humor. Each film tries to outdo the other in crudeness. In the end, the comedy is dead. Also, we get those insufferable modern 'romantic' comedies featuring two B-class actors bickering and making up for 2 hours - and getting together at the end anyway - ha ha ha -- boy, is that funny.... no, it's just formula.
To our headliner 'was anyone funny in 1952?' - we're sorry it's come to this - you missed a great era.
:-) canuckteach (--:
reply
share