The 50 Best Comedy Movies Ever

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Film School Rejects posted their choices for The 50 Best Comedy Movies Ever.  It’s a good list.  Using just their list here are my top five choices along with a few thoughts…

5.  Airplane (1980):  I saw this on it’s initial theatrical release with a full theater.  Rarely have I ever seen and heard so much laughter.  Granted, repeated viewings are still funny, but there is nothing like watching for the first time with an audience that gets it.

4.  Blazing Saddles (1974)
and
3.  Young Frankenstein (1974)  Again, two more films I saw in packed theaters on their initial release.  Mel Brooks was on a roll with his comedic love letters to westerns, movie-making and horror films.  They still hold up!

2. Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)  A comedy with a message and neither suffers at the expense of the other.  Remember, “There is no fighting in the war room.”

1.   Arsenic and Old Lace (1944):  I love this movie.  It’s one I like to share with folks who’ve never seen it.  It’s also one I like to revisit every so often.  

Two movies that didn’t make the list but should have:  Richard Pryor Live and Step Brothers.