BATTLE OF THE CENTURY The art of pie throwing developed in the early days of silent movies and has had periodic revivals with pastry pitching reached its crowning moment in this Laurel and Hardy short. It’s fortunate that this film has pretty much survived intact since so many films of this period have been lost. Battle Of The Century is not a great piece of film-making nor the greatest of comedies. It’s still fun and worth seeing for those who enjoy slapstick humor. Stars:  Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1928 Type of Humor: Slapstick Strong Language: This is a silent movie Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: Both sexes get pummeled Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: Normal for the 1920's Political Incorrectness: No Anyone who might be offended: Those who abhor violence in any form. Color/Black and White: Black and White Released by: Image Entertainment   BRINGING UP BABY The first film labeled a "screwball" comedy, Bringing Up Baby has not lost any of its humor despite being over 60 years ago old. A young Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn at their best. Watching this film you will probably understand why the period in which it was made is referred to as Hollywood’s Golden Age. Stars:  Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Charles Ruggles, Walter Catlett,  Barry Fitzgerald M.P.A.A. Rating: Not Rated Year Released: 1938 Type of Humor: Screwball Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Minor slapstick Sexual Content: A wink here and there Irreverence to social mores or religion: This was made during a period when movies were not morally or religiously irreverent. Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: If you remember that this film was made in 1938, it’s really benign Anyone who might be offended: No one. Color/Black and White: Black and white Released by: TCM THE GOLD RUSH This is as classic a comedy as you will ever view. It’s importance is more than historical; the humor transcends the period in which it was made to offer joy and warm feelings for all ages. Watching this film I think you can understand why Charlie Chaplin remains a cinematic icon although he was first and almost always a silent film star. In The Gold Rush Chaplin’s "little tramp" attempts to make a fortune in the cold Yukon gold fields. In his quest for fortune and love he encounters both natural and human hindrances which promote some hilarious responses. This is a story about the little guy who, despite the odds, finally succeeds. Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1925 Type of Humor: Slapstick/Situation Comedy Strong Language: Silent Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: Hardly a wink Irreverence to social mores or religion: Pretty innocuous Crudeness: Nothing very significant Political Incorrectness: The film reflects the standards of the 1920's Anyone who might be offended: No one Color/Black and White: Black and White, but be aware that the quality of the video transfers (especially on the DVD edition) is lacking. Released by:  Several releases available THE PRODUCERS   To say that The Producers is off the wall is like saying that the ocean is wet. As strange as the story is, the story within the story (a musical play) is so over the top, so bad, so outrageous, so goofy, and so insane as to be brilliant.  This is Mel Brooks' first movie. Stars:  Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Dick Shawn M.P.A.A. Rating: 1968 Year Released: Not rated Type of Humor: Burlesque Strong Language: Some Physical Violence: Cartoon style Sexual Content: Leers and the gigolo "romance" of little old ladies for their money. Irreverence to social mores or religion: Certainly nonconforming Crudeness: Mel Brooks is not noted for subtly Political Incorrectness: Intentionally and in good humor Anyone who might be offended: A person who would find it impossible to make fun of the Nazis Color/Black and White: Color Released by:  Nelson Entertainment  SINGIN' IN THE RAIN This is a musical that even people who tend to dislike musicals love. Singin’ In the Rain is full of positive energy and is gentle and affirming without being sugar sweet and sappy. As many times as I’ve seen Gene Kelly dancing in the rain to the title song, I still watch the screen mesmerized. Stars:  Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1952 Type of Humor: Satire Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Pie (actually cake) in the face variety Sexual Content: None Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: Woman are portrayed as rather passive or scheming Anyone who might be offended: No one Color/Black and White: Rich Technicolor Released by: MGM/UA Home Video SOME LIKE IT HOT   Directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, who is responsible for some of the most brilliant Hollywood movies ever created, this is one of the sexiest comedies every made, and it was released in 1959 before there was such a thing as a R rated movie (so you know there is no bad language, nudity, or sex scenes!). How can it be so sexy then? To tell you the truth, there are movie comedies today with nudity and sex scenes that are boring and convey little sexual energy. Some Like It Hot is classy, witty, has great acting and wonderful situations.  Young Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon attempting to maintain their disguises as women in a company of an all girl’s band has got to be seen to be believed. Stars:  Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon, George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated. Year Released: 1959 Type of Humor: Satire Strong Language: None Physical Violence: The Valentine’s Day Massacre is portrayed with bullets flying but not blood or gore. Sexual Content: Jack Lemon in bed with Marilyn Monroe (she thinks he’s another woman and is cold). Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: Marilyn Monroe plays a "dumb blonde" Anyone who might be offended: No specific group Color/Black and White: Wonderful black and white Released by: MGM/UA Home Video TO BE OR NOT TO BE One of the few films starring Jack Benny. To Be Or Not To Be takes a serious subject, the German invasion of Poland, and with polished wit and delicious characterizations makes a charming film with a message. The version that was made in 1984 staring Mel Brooks pales in comparison. Stars:  Jack Benny, Carole Lombard, Robert Stack M.P.A.A. Rating: Not Rated Year Released: 1942 Type of Humor: Witty Situation Comedy Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Minor Sexual Content: None Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: This film was made before the Nazi atrocities were known Anyone who might be offended: Those who are so upset by what happened to Poland and to the Jews that they could not find the subject of the German occupation of Warsaw serving as a backdrop for a comedy Color/Black and White: Black and white Released by: MGM/UA Home Video TOPPER RETURNS This is a classy comedy from the early forties, a time when some of the greatest classy comedies were created. (Thank God for film because if this had been a theatrical production all we would have are a copy of the play, some reviews, some audience recollections, and a few production stills; nothing that would allow us to enjoy this entertainment as it was first experienced). The story concerns a mousy bank executive who, to his frustration and befuddlement, is befriended by the ghost of a  young lady who had hitched a ride from him shortly before she was murdered. The lack of high-tech special effects actually enhances the story which puts emphasis on good comic acting, wonderful black and white photography and smart writing.   Eddie Rochester Anderson, an African American comic, stands out with his deadpan performance. Stars: Roland Young, Eddie Rochester Anderson, Joan Blondell M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1941 Type of Humor: Screwball Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Murder mystery with minor violence Sexual Content: A wink here and there Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: None Political Incorrectness: Early 1940's comedy contains stereotypes of wimpy women and eye rolling minorities.  However, everyone comes across as buffoons. Anyone who might be offended: Pretty mild stuff Color/Black and White: Black and White (Note: There is a colorized version to be avoided if at all possible) Released by: Image Entertainment WAY OUT WEST One of the best of Laurel and Hardy movies possessing a delicious blend of archetypal characters, slap stick violence, showboat villainy, and plot twists as old as the Ol’ West itself. Laurel and Hardy infuse in this film their wonderful humanness. They were like someone’s favorite uncles about whom parents shook their heads but nieces and nephews loved because they were like big kids who never looked down at them. Stars:  Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson M.P.A.A. Rating: Not rated Year Released: 1936 Type of Humor: Slapstick Strong Language: None Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: A wink here or there Irreverence to social mores or religion: None Crudeness: Very mild Political Incorrectness: Woman were either pure as the virgin snow or ruthless saloon girls Anyone who might be offended: This film was not made during an enlightened period of American Cinema but nonetheless is not really offensive by today’s standards. Color/Black and White: Black and white Released by: Video Treasure YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN You have probably already seen it but its always worth another viewing. For a Mel Brooks movie, the humor is often subtle and not too wacky. It’s a wonderful take off on all the old Frankenstein movies starring Boris Karloff and is done with contagious affection for all its characters, especially the monster. Stars:  Gene Wilder (Dr. Frederick 'Fronckensteen'), Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman ('Eye-gor'), Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr M.P.A.A. Rating: PG Year Released: 1974 Type of Humor: Witty Satire Strong Language: A few naughty words Physical Violence: Slapstick Sexual Content: Several scenes but no nudity Irreverence to social mores or religion: No Crudeness: This is a Mel Brooks movie so you can expect some Political Incorrectness: Too intentionally silly to be politically incorrect Anyone who might be offended: No one. Color/Black and White: Wonderful, glorious black and white (this is one film that could not have been made in color) Released by: Fox Home Video