10 Films for Easy Giggles - Some Great Old Comedies
These are some of the movies I watch if I just want to chill and have some easy laughs. Most of these movies date from the first-half of the 20th century and the vast majority of them are from the US. There is nothing taxing or intense about them; they’re easy watching for some easy giggles when you just don’t want to think about anything and you’d like to escape to somewhere that bit simpler.
In order of their first release date –
Trouble in Paradise (1932)
OK, if you don’t watch lots of old movies you might not enjoy this one. I love all of the Ernst Lubitsch movies. But even his movies from the early 1930s can have a sort of clunky feel. So if you haven’t seen many movies from this time you might not find this as cute as I do. Maybe try Cluny Brown (1946) instead? But I was really delighted by this when I discovered it. I love the pick-pocketing at dinner scene. If you enjoy it too, you should love the whole movie.
What’s it about? Herbert Marshall plays a gentleman thief who has met his match in Miriam Hopkin, a pick-pocket. Kay Francis plays a rich widow who cares much more about people and having a pleasant time than she does about tracking her finances. Marshall steals her very pretty handbag and, when she offers a reward, decides to return it and pick up the reward. Then he learns just how easy going the merry widow is about her money and how much cash she has in her personal safe… What is more unexpected though is how charming she is.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
I love this movie. Everyone in it is great. I particularly like the housekeeper Molly, played by Jean Dixon, and Carlo, played by Mischa Auer. I love that every character seems to have a full character. But of course it’s the charm and chemistry of William Powell and Carole Lombard that makes this so so cute.
What’s it about? The Bullocks are a rich (and dotty) family in depression-era New York. Godfrey (Powell) is a homeless man who encounters the Bullock sisters while they are off on a scavenger hunt, seeking a forgotten man. Godfrey’s lack of fear or admiration (and a general contempt) for the well-heeled-idle-rich impresses Irene Bullock (Lombard). So much so that she offers him a job as their new butler.
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Midnight (1939)
This is very funny. It’s got a great ensemble cast. And Claudette Colbert’s character is a modern, likeable, believable gold-digger – and if that doesn’t make you want to watch this I don’t know what will. Billy Wilder and Francis Lederer co-wrote it.
What’s it about? Eve Peabody (Colbert) arrives in Paris, penniless and baggage-less, with only the beautiful evening gown she’s wearing to her name. She persuades taxi-driver Tibor Czerny (Don Ameche) to drive her around Paris while she looks for some work. When he offers that she stay at his Eve decides it’s time to bail. She’s after a millionaire after all. She sneaks into a swanky party and catches the eye of a rich playboy (Francis Lederer) who is having an affair with a married woman (Mary Astor). When that woman’s husband (John Barrymore) sees this he decides to set Eve up so that she’ll capture the playboy and he’ll get his wife back.
His Girl Friday (1940)
There have been a number of film adaptations of this play. I think the 1940’s version is one of the most entertaining. In this version they made the reporter, Hildy, a woman. It definitely adds something if part of the reason the reporter can’t stay quit is that she was married to paper’ manic managing editor. Also, Rosalind Russell is brilliant the role. And I love how Cary Grant looks like he’s just having a great time making the film. There’s this air of exuberant fun to the whole thing which is – well it’s a real mood lifter. This movie also has a great ensemble cast. Actually all the movies listed here do.
What’s it about? Hildy, a seasoned reporter, is leaving the newspaper business to settle down and have a “normal” life with the aw-gosh-nice-guy Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy). Cary Grant plays Walter Burns, the newspaper’s managing editor and Hildy’s ex-husband. He’s not prepared to let Hildy go. Particularly not when she’s the best reporter he’s got. And there’s the looming execution of Earl Williams, for whom the paper has been campaigning for a reprieve.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
I liked this movie a lot as a kid. I like Danny Kaye films but when I found this online as an adult I was sure that I’d just enjoy it purely for the nostalgia. But actually this film really is funny.
What’s it about? Kaye plays a daydreamer working as a pulp fiction writer. He barely lives in his reality preferring to play the hero of some adventure he’s dreamed up. Then suddenly his reality becomes much more adventurous…
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
It’s the style with which this is played that makes this so great. Also it takes a dim and withering view of the English class system. Which is always enjoyable. Alec Guinness plays all the rich relatives – each more ridiculous than the last. Denis Price is perfect as the guy you shouldn’t be rooting for but still you will.
What’s it about? A aristocratic young woman is cut off by her family when she marries beneath her. She raises her son to be very aware of his lineage. She dies shortly after her son reaches adulthood, because she couldn’t afford new glasses. The son (Denis Price) blames the family. But it when he is overlooked in love because of his lack of prospects that he decides to bump off his relations till he becomes the duke.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Do I even need to describe this? Pretty much everyone has seen this, right? You can see stage versions of this. I must admit though I can’t imagine anyone doing as great a job as Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. They exude exactly the right attitude for the characters. And they make a great score sound even better. I like Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch a lot but I think this is Marilyn’s funniest film.
What’s it about? Monroe plays Lorelei, a girl who is determined to marry into wealth. This somehow results in herself and a pal, Dorothy (Jane Russell) sailing to France. The plan is to marry Gus in France, away from his disapproving and wealthy father. But Gus is going to follow on later. So Dorothy is playing chaperone. All while Gus’s father has hired a detective to get dirt on Lorelei during their trip. Much highjinks - and great musical numbers - ensue.
This was adapted by Francis Lederer from a novel by Anita Loos.
Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
This movie is great. The really great thing about this is, not only is everyone great in it, but you feel like the movie could follow any of the bit characters in it and it would be just as entertaining. It’s really well written. Every character is a complete character. And it really is very funny.
What’s it about? Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) is all set for a big night except her date cancels. So she ends up babysitting instead. Her friend, Brenda, has run away from home. But then changes her mind when she gets to the bus station. Brenda calls Chris and asks her to come pick her up. Chris, with her three young charges in tow, leaves the suburbs and drives into the city to pick up her friend. They get a blow out on the way in and so the adventure begins…
Galaxy Quest (1999)
There is something so innocent about this whole thing. It’s totally daft and it gently lampoons sci-fi shows. Is sci-fi the most innocent genre? Maybe. Anyway this is fun and funny – great for some easy giggles.
What’s it about? The cast of an old sci-fi show, which is very similar to Star Trek, are taken for the real thing by a bunch of aliens in distress. They build a spaceship based on the one in the show to crew - in order to fight their enemies. And fans of the show end up helping the cast truly become their heroic characters. It’s funny and cute.
Tais-toi! 2003
This is very funny. Forget everything and have some mindless laughs.
What’s it about? Quentin (Depardieu) is a simple petty criminal who never shuts up and always says the wrong thing. He is put in a cell with a serious professional criminal Ruby (Jean Reno). Who is saying nothing, absolutely nothing. Quentin is used to being moved from cell to cell because he invariably drives his cellmate so mad that they end up coming to blows. Ruby doesn’t react at all and Quentin feels like he’s finally made a friend. A friend he’s going to stick with through thick and thin. Including through a prison break.
