The task of creating a funny film is a daunting proposition. It is susceptible to either not pushing the boundaries of taste enough or to pushing them too far and alienating an audience in one direction or the other. Few entertainers have really mastered this craft, but the ones who have, have been rewarded with legendary status.
What is the progression of the funny film? The answer to this can be as different as the actors involved in them. But if we really look into it, we are able to see trends in comedy throughout the years.
The general public first started to recognize films en masse in the early part of the twentieth century. Film makers quickly grasped the scope of what could be done with the medium, and veered away from producing only dramatic works. Realizing the appeal of laughter as a worthy form of entertainment, they gave birth to what we now know and love as the comedic film.
Through the progression of film, it has always had to cater to a moviegoer that is traditionally somewhat of a fickle creature. This reality affects all forms of film. Therefore, all forms have had to adapt over time.
The boundaries imposed by the technology of any given age have also affected the style of movie to be released, and the style of acting therein. In the beginning, films had no sound. The thespians to gain notoriety in this era were forced to amuse audiences solely by means of physical comedy. The unique slapstick of Harold Lloyd comes to mind as example of this.
A movie that talks is something that we take for granted today. This simple thing brought early comedians a completely different method with which to work. The Marx Brothers were one of the first to take advantage of this, and blaze a trail on the path to the creation of bold, new styles of film.
The next technological innovation to come along and change the way things were done was the television. The 1950s saw many films being turned into episodes to accommodate a weekly television schedule. Who among us who grew up in that era doesn't fondly remember "The Honeymooners?"
The next shake-up of the status quo came not of technology, but simply through a fresh voice. Woody Allen, whose style was that of incomparable wit, has produced a seemingly endless amount of films. In this day and age, we are all too used to this method of storytelling, but there was little that resembled it before his appearance.
Film serves, in part, as a window into the past. We can count ourselves lucky to live in such times when this window is so easily available to anyone interested in looking through it. The next time you're searching for something to do, why not rent several comedic releases of bygone times, and witness the progression for yourself.
What is the progression of the funny film? The answer to this can be as different as the actors involved in them. But if we really look into it, we are able to see trends in comedy throughout the years.
The general public first started to recognize films en masse in the early part of the twentieth century. Film makers quickly grasped the scope of what could be done with the medium, and veered away from producing only dramatic works. Realizing the appeal of laughter as a worthy form of entertainment, they gave birth to what we now know and love as the comedic film.
Through the progression of film, it has always had to cater to a moviegoer that is traditionally somewhat of a fickle creature. This reality affects all forms of film. Therefore, all forms have had to adapt over time.
The boundaries imposed by the technology of any given age have also affected the style of movie to be released, and the style of acting therein. In the beginning, films had no sound. The thespians to gain notoriety in this era were forced to amuse audiences solely by means of physical comedy. The unique slapstick of Harold Lloyd comes to mind as example of this.
A movie that talks is something that we take for granted today. This simple thing brought early comedians a completely different method with which to work. The Marx Brothers were one of the first to take advantage of this, and blaze a trail on the path to the creation of bold, new styles of film.
The next technological innovation to come along and change the way things were done was the television. The 1950s saw many films being turned into episodes to accommodate a weekly television schedule. Who among us who grew up in that era doesn't fondly remember "The Honeymooners?"
The next shake-up of the status quo came not of technology, but simply through a fresh voice. Woody Allen, whose style was that of incomparable wit, has produced a seemingly endless amount of films. In this day and age, we are all too used to this method of storytelling, but there was little that resembled it before his appearance.
Film serves, in part, as a window into the past. We can count ourselves lucky to live in such times when this window is so easily available to anyone interested in looking through it. The next time you're searching for something to do, why not rent several comedic releases of bygone times, and witness the progression for yourself.
About the Author:
Joseph Pope was born in a sad era before the internet existed. He now likes to surf it to make up for lost time, and to share what he finds with his readers. Please visit this quality website if you would like the best funny junk that the internet has to offer.
