Classic Slapstick Humor

Slapstick is humor based on ridiculous situations (ie. man eating his lunch in a baby carriage,) and violent actions (ie. eye pokes and knuckle rubs.) The name is derived from a paddle-like device used by comedians in the 16th century. One comedian would whack the other.

The device supposedly made a loud noise but didn't actually hurt the recipient.

Charlie Chaplin was one of the first slapstick comedians to make it big. He was a British actor/comedian but it didn't take long for his popularity to spread. His act was popular through the early part of the 1900's. Unfortunately Chaplin did not adjust well to the big screen. He wanted and needed the audience to keep the momentum going. While the early years on film were rocky, the transition to film was successful. "The Tramp" stared in several films and was known throughout the United States and Europe.

Laurel and Hardy were a popular comedy duo during the early half of the 1900's. Stan Laurel was the goof-up with Oliver Hardy his exasperated partner. They were extremely popular as they worked their way through every-day life.

Laurel and Hardy Collection, Vol. 1

Laurel and Hardy Collection, Vol. 2

First Kings of Comedy Collection

Can you name the Marx Brothers? The average adult may stumble over some of the names, but almost everyone remembers Groucho. The Marx Brothers, Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zippo, were indeed brothers. There were five brothers, but the act was primarily made up of the three oldest, Chico, Harpo, and Groucho. They got their start in the vaudeville scene in the early 1900's, and eventually moved to motion pictures. The American Film Institute selected five of their films to be a part of the collection of the top 100 comedy films. Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera are considered to be their best.

The Three Stooges started out as a vaudville act, but are best known for the their shorts (short films shown before the feature film). The orginal Stooges featured Moe, Larry and Shemp, but Shemp bowed out, going his own way. Curly, Shemp and Moes youngest brother, took his place. In many ways Curly stole the show. He is the most loved of all the Stooges. When Curly's health started failing, Shemp rejoined the group.

The Stooges evolved and changed over the years but Curly stole my heart and will always be my favorite.

Uyuk-nyuk-nyuk!

Of all the classic comedy acts, I like The Three Stooges the best. That wasn't always the case but when my boys were old enough to appreciate the humor, they would dance around the house yelling...

"Moe, Larry the cheese ... Moe, Larry the cheese!"

You Gotta Love It.