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British Comedy - Great or Grate?
Tuesday, 3rd June 2008, 04:38

ChangesPosted by Mark Oates on 3-6-2008 04:38

Having just watched the Adventures Of... movies, and for my own amusement working my way through the Rank Carry Ons, I've been giving a bit of thought to British comedy movies of that 1960s and 1970s period.

Are they great or do they grate?

This follows on from Stuart's thread about tv comedy transferring to the big screen - is British big screen comedy any better than small screen, or worse? Is it any good at all?

I'm biased, of course. I love the Carry Ons, thoroughly enjoyed the Adventures pictures, and I've watched dozens of other 1970s British comedy pictures, but I wonder how much is rose-tinted spectacles for the time of my youth rather than the movies being any damn good.

Are they better crafted than today's American gross-out comedies? Better written than the 1930s screwball comedies?

I'd say no, but they're exceptional in their own way, and they tap into what is basically the British sense of humour which since the year dot has been by turns bawdy and surreal.

Your views, ladies and gentlemen?

Comments on this Item

ChangesPosted by Si Wooldridge on 3-6-2008 08:19

They're just a bit 'meh' for me, never been into any of them, including the Carry On's (although obviously I've watched some of them). Britsh humour is ace when it's subtle, these films are all about in yer face innuendo's and thus doesn't fall in line with my own sense of humour.

ChangesPosted by Robert John Shepherd on 5-6-2008 12:23

Never really been a fan of Carry On (and similar style comedy) either. Much for the same reason as Si!

On a related note, I've always thought it a shame that during the same period (the 70s) so many classic British TV series totally failed to raise a smirk on the big screen.

Steptoe and Son is one that particularly springs to mind, but is certainly not alone.

ChangesPosted by Jitendar Canth on 9-6-2008 13:03

I grew up with Carry On, my dad is a massive fan and they certainly appealed to me when I was kid. But Carry On was a single series of films that represented a small part of a broad range of British comedies.

Then it seemed that all comedies wanted to be Carry Ons, especially thode that were making the jump from television and smut and innuendo laced everything. Some of my most lamented hours have been spent watching the On The Buses movies.

I prefer comedies as Si says, that are subtle, smart, and not grubby. My favourite Carry Ons are in black and white, my favourite comic actor is Terry-Thomas, and there's something indefinable about those Ealing comedies that make them stand out even now.

But ask someone from abroad about British cinema comedy, and they'll say Carry On. Smut and slapstick translate easier I guess.

But there are still smart British comedies being made, with a touch of elegance and class. You just have a harder time finding them. Also comedy is subjective, and I find those films that I like, most other people loathe. But, Local Hero is a recent classic that I cherish. I have a soft spot for Clement and La Frenais's Water, and I keep an eye out for The Steal whenever it's on late night TV. But comedy wise, all I want to remember from the smutty seventies are the Pink Panther sequels.

ChangesPosted by Stuart McLean on 8-7-2008 22:32

Oh Dear! As usual I'm with Mark. I never really know whether I like the Carry-Ons and their ilk in some ironic, post-modern way - or whether I just plain like them. I'm slightly ashamed to say it's probably the latter. and what's worse is that they seem to improve with age. I too have been working through all the Carry On's and thoroughly enjoying every moment - and seem able to quote nearly every gag seconds before its uttered making me the ultimate Carry On anorak!

However, I still maintain that many 70's sitcoms failed to cut the mustard on the big screen.

And by the time British Comedy descended to 'Confessions of' and 'Adventures of' and 'Rosie Dixon Night Nurse' et al, it got a little bit tragic.

But part of me still can't help lovin' even those - which must be to do with the rose tinted specs Mark refers to because they are utterly indefensible in any other way!

ChangesPosted by MilesR on 11-11-2008 15:35

Actually folks, you could help me with this topic.
My sister-in-law (to be) is from across the pond and I was trying to convince her last night that we (the British) have some great comedies that are well worth watching.

When challenged though, I was struggling to come up with a decent sized list.
She's coming over this weekend and I want to try and bombard her with some of them.

I already have the Monty Python box set lined up (the pinnacle of British comedy IMHO). She's seen some of the recent ones (Hot Fuzz, Shaun Of the Dead etc.) so they're out....suggestions for others?

Actually - just remembered I still have "Water" unwatched which is a contender.

Thanks!
Miles

ChangesPosted by Mark Oates on 11-11-2008 16:29

British movie humour at its finest means the Ealing comedies - The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob, The Titfield Thunderbolt, etc. I'd recommend Genevieve as possibly the best of the lot.

ChangesPosted by MilesR on 12-11-2008 09:18

Excellent, The LadyKillers (original, not Tom Hanks remake!) is a great option, as well as the Lavender Hill Mob!
Never seen Genevieve but will try it out.

Thanks Mark

ChangesPosted by David Beckett on 12-11-2008 10:07

Just a few I've thought of:

Withnail and I
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Time Bandits
Local Hero
Waking Ned
Chicken Run

ChangesPosted by David Simpson on 24-5-2009 22:59

Of course it is...but I guess it depends on your point of view.

Life of Brian... or indeed anything Monty Python did.
A Fish Called Wanda
The Ealing films... anyone who watched the appalling Coens Ladykillers go watch the original. Genius! Kind hearts and Coronets.
The Full Monty
Withnail and I
A few of the earlier Carry ons (Cleo, Screaming, follow that camel)

We have a wealth of good comedies... but they are few and far between... simply because our country cannot fund them as frequently as the US.

Oh and Shaun of the Dead... how could we forget

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British Comedy - Great or Grate?Tuesday, 3rd June 2008, 04:38