Comedic Films – A Brief History
Humor is a subjective art. It is prone to being offensive or not offensive enough, and arriving at the perfect middle ground between these two extremes is a talent that’s difficult to master. Only a handful of performers throughout the years have been able to accomplish this most daunting of tasks.
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.
People first started flocking to films in the early 1900s. It wasn’t long before creators of these films realized that many of these people would appreciate a chuckle as much as they would the more serious entertainment of dramatic movies. This is how comedy in film was born. Since then, it has taken on a life of its own and gone in many different directions.
The moviegoer’s preference has always been a personal and ever-changing matter. This applies not just to comedic releases, but to all genres. As a result of this, all genres have to adapt from one moment to the next, resulting in a level of sophistication that waxes and wanes.
Limitations of technology through the years have also most certainly played a part in the resulting films that have come out of any given era. The first films were silent, therefore the stars of that era had to work with what they had. Timing and physical comedy held a major role in the show. Consider the slapstick humor made famous by people such as Charlie Chaplin.
The innovation of sound in film brought the performers whole new ways of practicing their craft. One of the first to perfect an act centered around this new style of entertainment was The Three Stooges. They are responsible for 190 short films, many of which are beloved to this day.
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 clear advancement in comedic endeavors would be due not to a bright, new technology, but to a bold, new style. Woody Allen introduced a way of doing things that entailed infusing his characters with colloquy that was well above average. This brand of exceptional speech represented a clear break from anything that resembled the sight gag, and brought in a new era.
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.
Tags: Humor
