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Title: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Tal on July 22, 2015, 08:04:53 AM There's a long list of contenders, so I'll just stick a few up to get you started. I'm not looking for Academy Awards in tearjerkers; just good old fashioned belly laugh-inducers.
Stan Laurel (http://www.lordheath.com/web_images/stan_laurel___thicker_than_water.jpg) The British half of the great double act. Imperious timing, a gigglesome grin and 107 features, shorts and cameos. Charlie Chaplin (http://www.dmg-entertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/charlie-chaplin-.jpg) Legend has it he shared a cabin on the boat to America with Stan Laurel. The definitive silent film actor (sorry Buster Keaton) Leslie Nielsen (http://www.bellazon.com/main/uploads/monthly_06_2011/post-37737-1309317631.jpg) Airplane! The Naked Gun trilogy. Dracula: Dead and Loving It. A seemingly insurmountable portfolio of playing dry slapstick with killer lines. Will Ferrell (http://media3.popsugar-assets.com/files/2013/01/01/5/192/1922398/f7547727e4590da0_Will_Ferrell.xxxlarge_2.jpg) Prolific. Anchorman must be the most quoted comedy of its generation. Peter Sellers (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Sellers_pinkpanther7.jpg) Leslie Nielsen also played the Pink Panther, but there can only ever be one of those. Jim Carrey (http://www.themonolith.com/wp-content/uploads/Jim-Carrey-Ace-Ventura.jpg) Boundless energy. You'd think there were three of him on a relay. He made the appalling Ace Ventura: Pet Detective into one of the funniest films of its time. Robin Williams (http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/robin-williams-inline.jpg) Perhaps the most open performer. You got him mind, body and soul in front of the camera and that's why you kept coming back for more. Screen presence aplenty and the actor you'd eagerly wait for in his cameo appearances. Would you choose none of the above? Who'd be your top silly actor? Would you put an actress higher? Over to you. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DMorgan on July 22, 2015, 09:11:06 AM (http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1366730/john-candy.jpg)
John Candy Primarily for Uncle Buck but Planes, Trains & Automobiles and Cool Runnings were good too I think. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: horseplayer on July 22, 2015, 09:40:03 AM Leslie neilsen
Bad golf my way very hard to explain but superb Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: EvilPie on July 22, 2015, 11:38:32 AM (https://thegrio.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/richard-pryor-gene-wilder.jpg) My two favourites but Gene Wilder has to take the accolade as the best "actor". Why would I say that? Well if you've ever seen him in an interview he just isn't funny. He's an actor who can bring a silly script to life. Blazing saddles is possibly my favourite film of all time. Who knows how it may have worked out if Wilder and Pryor had teamed up? See no evil, hear no evil and Stir Crazy with the pair of them are just non stop laughs. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 11:45:32 AM (https://thegrio.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/richard-pryor-gene-wilder.jpg) My two favourites but Gene Wilder has to take the accolade as the best "actor". Why would I say that? Well if you've ever seen him in an interview he just isn't funny. He's an actor who can bring a silly script to life. Blazing saddles is possibly my favourite film of all time. Who knows how it may have worked out if Wilder and Pryor had teamed up? See no evil, hear no evil and Stir Crazy with the pair of them are just non stop laughs. +1 Beat me to it Evilpie, your post was better than mine anyway. :-) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 11:50:55 AM Bill Murray deserves a mention, and surely every nineties teen has some love for Mike Myers ?
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: tikay on July 22, 2015, 11:52:07 AM Bill Murray deserves a mention, and surely every nineties teen has some love for Mike Myers ? Not me, never even heard of him. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 11:56:48 AM Bill Murray deserves a mention, and surely every nineties teen has some love for Mike Myers ? Not me, never even heard of him. Sorry, should have clarified 1990's not 1890's teens. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Longines on July 22, 2015, 12:29:17 PM Big +1 for Gene Wilder.
Also loved Steve Martin in The Jerk and The Man With Two Brains. (https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/7/005/07f/291/0d3efd8.jpg) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Marky147 on July 22, 2015, 01:36:42 PM Adam Sandler has done some good movies.
Happy Gilmore is incred! Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: hhyftrftdr on July 22, 2015, 01:56:44 PM Not a traditional comedy, but I found Kevin Spacey in American Beauty bloody hilarious.
Edit, not a silly film either ;) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Graham C on July 22, 2015, 02:12:48 PM Bill Murray,
(http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/Bill-Murray_caddyshack_square.jpg) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: booder on July 22, 2015, 02:22:56 PM Lou Costello .
Jerry Lewis. (http://a1.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,h_1200,q_80,w_1200/MTE4MDAzNDEwMjcwNzgyOTkw.jpg) (http://getnetworth.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/jerry-lewis-net-worth2.jpg) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Matt.NFFC. on July 22, 2015, 02:51:36 PM Norman Wisdom AINEC
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 22, 2015, 03:25:51 PM (http://utrack.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Blakey2.gif)
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 22, 2015, 03:32:30 PM Love everyone mentioned and would add Andy Samberg as someone who one day may be a contender
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQf7vGBYxz4 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uii-wMha6mE Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 04:07:00 PM Joe Pesci in Home alone and My cousin Vinnie definitely qualifies as a great actor in a silly movie.
Home alone came out in the same year as Goodfellas. Talk about versatility. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Marky147 on July 22, 2015, 04:07:50 PM Spooky that this was started today, as I watched Adam Sandler last night, on Fallon.
He gets hammered by a lot of people, but I find him pretty funny. Then again, I have a very juvenile sense of humour :D Given how much some of his films are panned, I was shocked to see he's worth over $300m! Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 04:14:07 PM How have we not mentioned Norman Wisdom yet?
'MR GRIMSDALE!' Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Tal on July 22, 2015, 06:07:15 PM How have we not mentioned Norman Wisdom yet? 'MR GRIMSDALE!' Ummm... Norman Wisdom AINEC Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: celtic on July 22, 2015, 07:28:10 PM Sid james.
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 22, 2015, 08:16:06 PM How have we not mentioned Norman Wisdom yet? 'MR GRIMSDALE!' Ummm... Norman Wisdom AINEC My bad. I'm having one of those days. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: RED-DOG on July 22, 2015, 10:09:48 PM (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT43MKWEG770YoWqY_ishom5AndWq_AXKGMWIujC-rkjZqumN9x)
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: RED-DOG on July 22, 2015, 10:12:32 PM Probs my all time fave comedy film.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510VNE0WWJL.jpg) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 22, 2015, 10:14:30 PM Probs my all time fave comedy film. (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510VNE0WWJL.jpg) I never knew Tikay met Walter Matthau Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: RED-DOG on July 22, 2015, 10:17:56 PM Blimey! The whole thing is available on t' tube.
That's my evenings viewing sorted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HxJAf_evB8 Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: david3103 on July 22, 2015, 11:33:24 PM Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau wins this at a canter for me.
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: bobAlike on July 23, 2015, 11:21:33 AM I'm with Red on this, Woody Allen in Bananas and Sleeper are just utter comedy.
(https://filmfork-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/content/Sleeper2.jpg) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 23, 2015, 11:39:04 AM I'm with Red on this, Woody Allen in Bananas and Sleeper are just utter comedy. (https://filmfork-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/content/Sleeper2.jpg) IMO Take the Money and Run was his best. Such a shame he kinda shunned a lot of his early silly work: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57FUphSl2vA YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8g24ml5cPc Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: bobAlike on July 23, 2015, 12:17:29 PM Totally forgot about Take the Money and Run. Just trying to acquire a copy :)
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Nakor on July 23, 2015, 01:47:45 PM I know he had a mention for the Pink Panther movies but below has to be included as well;
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu2K3S9YgNA Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 23, 2015, 01:50:48 PM I know he had a mention for the Pink Panther movies but below has to be included as well; YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu2K3S9YgNA A true great that has not aged at all. Love it Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 23, 2015, 02:02:16 PM I think it's fair to say that silly humour is the best type?
Stuff like this YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2HT5k20yfg YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JribVbv6CV4 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMXRxNbPvGI YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2YJcxgj-WU Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 23, 2015, 05:33:55 PM Have we had Ben Stiller yet?
There's something about Mary was ground breaking stuff, first of the gross out comedies. I liked Zoolander and Meet the parents too, but my favourite is Tropic Thunder, it's hilarious. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 23, 2015, 05:40:22 PM How have we got this far without this guy?
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78b67l_yxUc YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CGauwoKcw YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhRUe-gz690 Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Tal on July 23, 2015, 07:04:14 PM I did think about adding some slightly less obvious ones but left the OP with the pure comic actors.
Spencer Tracy could turn his hand to anything. And did. Probably an underrated actor today but one of the absolute greats. He didn't do many comedies, but It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Woman of the year are glorious films to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Steve Martin fans will note Tracy was the original Father of the Bride. My favourite, however, is Adam's Rib, where he and his partner (not wife) in real life play opposing lawyers in a case, who happen also to be married. It goes from professional to deeply unprofessional and features some killer one liners... First of all, I should like to say that I think the arguments advanced by the counsel for the defence are sound...MERE sound. Cary Grant's performance in favourite comedy ever, Arsenic and Old Lace, is pure gold. Trivia for you: the role was originally intended for Bob Hope, but he had an issue with his studio at the time and couldn't do the picture. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: simonnatur on July 24, 2015, 01:34:18 AM Pee Wee Herman
http://youtu.be/u-GjfmfaXFc http://youtu.be/vT_QdFDLNn0 Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Redsgirl on July 24, 2015, 02:01:20 AM I did think about adding some slightly less obvious ones but left the OP with the pure comic actors. Spencer Tracy could turn his hand to anything. And did. Probably an underrated actor today but one of the absolute greats. He didn't do many comedies, but It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Woman of the year are glorious films to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Steve Martin fans will note Tracy was the original Father of the Bride. My favourite, however, is Adam's Rib, where he and his partner (not wife) in real life play opposing lawyers in a case, who happen also to be married. It goes from professional to deeply unprofessional and features some killer one liners... First of all, I should like to say that I think the arguments advanced by the counsel for the defence are sound...MERE sound. Cary Grant's performance in favourite comedy ever, Arsenic and Old Lace, is pure gold. Trivia for you: the role was originally intended for Bob Hope, but he had an issue with his studio at the time and couldn't do the picture. If we are going old school I'll have to throw in my own favourite Sunday afternoon film,The Quiet man. John Wayne isn't what you would call a comedy legend but Barry Fitzgerald as Micheleen Flynn is genius. I could watch it every Sunday for the rest of my life and still enjoy it. The Cary Grant reference got me thinking of the first woman to be mentioned in this thread so far, the very funny and talented Doris Day, though I doubt many of you reading this will have saw much of her work. :-) Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: buzzharvey22 on July 24, 2015, 03:38:28 AM Shirley it has to be Leslie Neilsen
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: david3103 on July 25, 2015, 07:19:23 AM I did think about adding some slightly less obvious ones but left the OP with the pure comic actors. Spencer Tracy could turn his hand to anything. And did. Probably an underrated actor today but one of the absolute greats. He didn't do many comedies, but It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Woman of the year are glorious films to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Steve Martin fans will note Tracy was the original Father of the Bride. My favourite, however, is Adam's Rib, where he and his partner (not wife) in real life play opposing lawyers in a case, who happen also to be married. It goes from professional to deeply unprofessional and features some killer one liners... First of all, I should like to say that I think the arguments advanced by the counsel for the defence are sound...MERE sound. Cary Grant's performance in favourite comedy ever, Arsenic and Old Lace, is pure gold. Trivia for you: the role was originally intended for Bob Hope, but he had an issue with his studio at the time and couldn't do the picture. If we are going old school I'll have to throw in my own favourite Sunday afternoon film,The Quiet man. John Wayne isn't what you would call a comedy legend but Barry Fitzgerald as Micheleen Flynn is genius. I could watch it every Sunday for the rest of my life and still enjoy it. The Cary Grant reference got me thinking of the first woman to be mentioned in this thread so far, the very funny and talented Doris Day, though I doubt many of you reading this will have saw much of her work. :-) que sera Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 25, 2015, 09:00:57 AM How have we missed this?
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63rcdLeXiU8 Or even worse, this legend? YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaGpaj2nHIo YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGOCFpzt6BQ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DMrQPc7wfo Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Tal on July 25, 2015, 09:28:12 AM I think everyone else read the thread title in full...
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: taximan007 on July 25, 2015, 10:01:48 AM Comedy Gold
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 25, 2015, 11:17:54 AM I think everyone else read the thread title in full... Porridge and Only Fools and Horses both had feature length episodes yo Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: The_nun on July 25, 2015, 12:19:29 PM The Four Candles sketch is often used on our Safety Training Briefs.
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: RED-DOG on July 25, 2015, 12:24:03 PM The Four Candles sketch is often used on our Safety Training Briefs. I have visions of you all standing around half naked while they project it on to your underwear. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: The_nun on July 25, 2015, 12:25:19 PM :D :D ;tightend;
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: philthepower on July 27, 2015, 01:15:26 PM Charles Grodin, the comic relief to De Niro in Midnight Run, but who truly excels as the scheming Tony Abbot in one of my childhood VHS favourites Heaven Can Wait.
Also, anyone who appeared in This Is Spinal Tap or Trading Places, even in the most insignificant of cameos. From Bo Diddley, who's in both, to the Hermitage Club's 'five dollars, maybe I'll go to the movies...by myself' footman, everyone is superb. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: bobAlike on July 27, 2015, 01:32:02 PM Steve Carell
Zach Galifianakis Not sure these are the most consistent silliest performers but on their day they can be as funny as most. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DaveShoelace on July 27, 2015, 01:35:12 PM Leonardo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall Street was pretty hilarious
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: Nakor on July 27, 2015, 02:09:05 PM Charles Grodin, the comic relief to De Niro in Midnight Run, but who truly excels as the scheming Tony Abbot in one of my childhood VHS favourites Heaven Can Wait. Also, anyone who appeared in This Is Spinal Tap or Trading Places, even in the most insignificant of cameos. From Bo Diddley, who's in both, to the Hermitage Club's 'five dollars, maybe I'll go to the movies...by myself' footman, everyone is superb. All of this. I love Midnight Run and Trading Places, two of the very best. Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: DungBeetle on July 27, 2015, 02:19:03 PM The police duo in Smokey and the Bandit always made me chuckle.
Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: philthepower on July 28, 2015, 10:17:43 AM The police duo in Smokey and the Bandit always made me chuckle. Reminds me of two of my brother and I's favourite lines to quote as kids, involving another silly character, "What are you boy, some kind of doomsday machine?" and: Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: horseplayer on July 28, 2015, 10:33:29 AM someone has stuck it on youtube
please watch love it part 1 and then 2 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y3E1NaB5n0 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxFeUJEJlb8 Title: Re: The Greatest Actor in Silly Films Post by: RED-DOG on July 28, 2015, 10:38:07 AM The police duo in Smokey and the Bandit always made me chuckle. Reminds me of two of my brother and I's favourite lines to quote as kids, involving another silly character, "What are you boy, some kind of doomsday machine?" and: Actor Cliffton James is 96 not out. he has been married for over 60 years and lives with his wife in new York. 96. Imagine that. That's like tk + 30. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_James |