I wanted to do a diary on movie comedies, a subject I haven’t tackled full-on. That was a ridiculous idea. There’s what? 2,500 comedies? More? So, I thought tackling it by decade was more manageable by far.
If you were born in the late 1960’s-early 1970’s and liked comedies, the 1980’s probably holds a special, nostalgic place in your heart. Some of the films from that era may not hold up well. Others might not even be that funny, but when your 11 or 12 or 15 you fall in love easily. So, even when you revisit some of your favorites decades later and end-up wondering why you thought it was so good, you still love the movie, despite (because of) the flaws you now see.
The 1980’s brought us what may be the widest variety of comedy movie styles. And for the decades biggest names, what a decade.
You like straight-up farce? You have Airplane and Police Academy.
You like romantic comedies, you get them in the 80’s.
National Lampoon movies? You have your Caddyshack and Vacation series.
Teen comedies? Take your pick.
Buddy Cop movies, we got ‘em.
Then, you have Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Dan Ackroyd, John Candy, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Meg Ryan, Robin Williams, Goldie Hawn, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, Kathleen Turner, John Belushi, Terri Garr, Michael Keaton, Leslie Nielsen….This was the apex for many of them, though not all.
Some Mel Brooks, if that’s your thing (although his best was in the early ‘70’s). Or Woody Allen.
If Steve Guttenberg had a Golden Era (he didn’t), this was it. If John Cusack had a Golden Era (he did), this was it.
Baseball? Bull Durham and Major League and so on...
And, my own personal favorite from the decade — Bill Murray.
Most 80’s comedies have a certain style that time-stamps them. The clothes, the hair, the style of humor, the aesthetic choices. You also have television actors all taking a shot at the big screen: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Tom Selleck...as well as just about every SNL alumnus. In fact, its rather incredible how many of the big comedy films of the 1980’s starred former or future SNL cast members. Hell, even Joe Piscopo got a film.
I suppose if I had to choose my favorite 80’s comedies it would be something like:
Ghostbusters — Loved it as a kid. Will always love it.
Spinal Tap — Funny. Just funny.
Biloxi Blues — A comedy that can go dramatic but then reins it back in before things get to heavy.
Please share your thoughts. If we can come to a consensus of 10-15 movies, perhaps a poll will be in order.
Release the hounds!