Malcolm Muggeridge

[amateur51]

Surely a Marx Bros film should be in a top comedy films list, am51 - any (or all) of Night at the Opera, Duck Soup or Animal Crackers.

I agree aeolium but these days they are rather a specialist taste (that's got the spools turning on the CIA's recorders ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izjjSzTIJk

[Nick Armstrong]

I saw Withnail And I on its initial release, when it did diddly squat at the box office. Its 'fame' only came later.

I can recall finding it dismally unfunny and an inadequate representation of the period (December 1969) in which it was supposedly set. Both Grant and McGann came across as smug, up-themselves shysters. The whole film has a general air of being incredibly pleased with itself. To turn the late Kenneth Tynan on his head, I fear I could never love anyone who loves Withnail And I.

Dashed.... dashed... all dashed: my hopes of ever getting on your Christmas card list lie shattered.

I find it impossible to find words to say how diametrically opposed our senses of humour are.

Not much point I suppose: de gustibus non est disputandum.

But what do you find funny? I'm genuinely intrigued.

[Nick Armstrong]

Have to disagree Ams, I'd have The Producers instead of Blazing Saddles (which I don't think is funny.) Withnail is (imho) brilliant. I too have never seen The Big Lebowski (will search for it on LoveFilm) but agree with Caliban's list, Some Like it Hot gets a regular outing here.

The Producers is crammed with magical moments, Anna, it's true. But I've never been able to love it as I love Blazing Saddles...

[Anna]

To turn the late Kenneth Tynan on his head, I fear I could never love anyone who loves Withnail And I.

Well, Mandy. I fear our brief affair must now be over .............

[Nick Armstrong]

Surely a Marx Bros film should be in a top comedy films list, am51 - any (or all) of Night at the Opera, Duck Soup or Animal Crackers.

Strange, but they all leave me totally cold.

[Nick Armstrong]

Well, Mandy. I fear our brief affair must now be over .............

See you behind the engine sheds later, Anna???

toot toot!!

[Anna]

See you behind the engine sheds later, Anna??? toot toot!!

Only if, this one time, you can let me be Thomas for a change!

[Nick Armstrong]

Only if, this one time, you can let me be Thomas for a change!

[amateur51]

Only if, this one time, you can let me be Thomas for a change!

Watch out for the Red Campion, Caliban!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHEM1A-AtgA

[Norfolk Born]

Isn't this all getting a bit (t)Awdry?

[Anna]

Sorry. As you were. Smoke if you have them.

[Nick Armstrong]

Sorry. As you were. Smoke if you have them.

Well I'm waiting behind Shed 1. Where are you?



Norfy, it's all in the best PAHHHHHSSIBLE taste!!!

[Anna]

Well I'm waiting behind Shed 1. Where are you?

Jean Renoir has me gripped right now. La Bete Humaine. Oh Zola!, La La Zola!

[Rumbaba]

The ironic thing about the infamous FNSM clash was that Cleese and Palin walked so easily into the trap that Muggeridge and Stockwood had set for them. .

Trap? I am not sure what sort of twig you are grasping but you have certainly got hold of it in the wrong place. I remember seeing this at the time; my very clear recollection was that MM and the bloke in the frock were idiots. I wasn't a huge Python fan, to be honest, but MM was a ranting old fool.

[Mr Pee]

Dashed.... dashed... all dashed: my hopes of ever getting on your Christmas card list lie shattered.

I find it impossible to find words to say how diametrically opposed our senses of humour are.

Not much point I suppose: de gustibus non est disputandum.

But what do you find funny? I'm genuinely intrigued.

Me too- I love Withnail and I. It's very funny, and I think achieves the rare feat for a comedy film of also being extremely moving in its final minutes, as a defeated Withnail so wonderfully delivers the Soliloquy from Hamlet in a gloomy Regents Park. And Richard Griffiths' performance as Uncle Monty is just another highlight in a film of highlights.

I too would have The Producers on my list of top comedy films, but I would add one that I don't think has been mentioned yet- " The Man with Two Brains", with Steve Martin as Dr. Hfuhruhurr, who falls in love with a brain in a jar.