# What is the Funniest Comedy Ever Filmed?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 19, 2000, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721 "2000-09-19T14:25:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![rundogrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@rundogrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rundogrun)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/21 "2000-09-19T17:41:15Z")

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In keeping with the Woody Allen theme…

“Take the Money and Run” and “Sleeper” are two of the funniest movies yet to be mentioned here.

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**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/22 "2000-09-19T18:01:57Z")

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**Bedazzled** , the original Faustian comedy with **Peter Cook** and **Dudley Moore** when they were still a lot like Monty Python. Also, it was the only time I saw Raquel Welsh really act, instead of mock her own image.

I hear there’s a remake coming soon. I’d love to see it again, but I just hope they do it justice. They could add spooky special effects, maybe, but not a car chase.

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**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/23 "2000-09-19T18:24:12Z")

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_This is Spinal Tap_

“It goes to 11.”

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**Author:** ![lucie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed8c4c/32.png) [@lucie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucie)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/24 "2000-09-19T18:25:48Z")

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Movies that made milk (or beer) come out of my nose the first time I saw them:

Blazing Saddles  
What’s Up, Tiger Lily?  
Airplane!  
South Park, BL&U  
Mom and Dad Save the World  
Young Frankenstein  
The Wrong Box (Michael Caine, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore)  
I saw “Blazing Saddles” and “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” in a double feature at the drive in when I was 15. My big brother brought the the beer. It was the best night of my life up to that point.

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**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/25 "2000-09-19T18:32:03Z")

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Haven’t seen _Some Like It Hot_ mentioned. Hello?!? Anyone ever seen this movie?!? I mean, come on. The last line of that movie makes me laugh till my sides hurt, every time.

For the uninitiated:

Jack Lemmon, who has been masquerading as a woman (along with Tony Curtis) to escape from the mob, is proposed to by a wealthy man (Joe Brown). Lemmon, after trying to dissuade Brown without blowing his secret, finally lets the cat out of the bag. “I’m a man!!” he says pulling off his wig.

Brown just looks at him, smiles, and says, “Nobody’s perfect!”

The fact that it was filmed in '59, and got through the censors, makes it all the more hilarious.

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**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/26 "2000-09-19T18:34:05Z")

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Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “We’re going with you.”  
Monty Python’s Life of Brian: “Have the birds got jobs??”  
(Double question marks used for the purpose of emphasizing that the line in question was not spoken for the purpose of asking the question itself but for questioning the nature of the question, thus warranting two question marks. I make this distinction because I hate when people use !!!'s and ???'s.)

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**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/27 "2000-09-19T18:34:07Z")

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The funniest movie I have ever seen is **Friday**.  
Chris Tucker only got paid $15k for that movie!

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**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/28 "2000-09-19T18:36:16Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Tzel \*  
> \*\*Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “We’re going with you.”
> 
> \*\*

Hmmm, I just remembered I’ve erred in quoting this line. It’s, “We’re coming with you.” I’m quite anal about Holy Grail lines, and I hate when people quote the movie incorrectly.

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**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/29 "2000-09-19T18:43:14Z")

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South Park - the only musical on my list, featuring some of the funniest lyrics in film history. Any movie that involves the Baldwins getting incinerated by Canadian bombers works for me.

This Is Spinal Tap - maybe the funniest movie of all time.

A Fish Called Wanda - Kevin Kline deserved his Oscar, but where was the Best Actor nod for John Cleese? Cleese was terrific. Hell, what about Michael Palin?

Ghostbusters - Sorry, I think it’s hilarious.

Dumb and Dumber - The best pure dumbass comedy of all time. Much, much funnier than “There’s Something about Mary,” which I didn’t think was funny at all.

The Producers - Mel Brooks actually won an Oscar for this.

Dr. Strangelove - The classic black comedy.

Airplane! - Rivals “This Is Spinal Tap” as the all-time great. Spawned more ripoffs than any movie before “Die Hard.” “Oh, excuse me, I speak jive.”

One that’s a bit too recent to know yet - you have to stand the test of time - is “Galaxy Quest,” which I just about died laughing at, including the absolutely classic line “By Grabthar’s Hammer… what a savings.” I guess “South Park” is recent, too, but I’d say it’s funny enough to put on the list now.

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**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/30 "2000-09-19T19:13:02Z")

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Maybe this would be a good place to mention:  
The line "It’s twu, it’s twu.  
was supposed to be followed be followed by a line deemed to controverstial even for Blazing Saddeles:  
“Excuse me Madame but your sucking on my elbow.”

“And the men always coming and going and going and coming and always too soon.”

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by tshirts \*  
> \*\*\*\*Bedazzled\*\*I hear there’s a remake coming soon. I’d love to see it again, but I just hope they do it justice. They could add spooky special effects, maybe, but not a car chase. \*\*

I have very bad feeling about this one.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/31 "2000-09-19T19:15:11Z")

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It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

What’s Up Doc?

Airplane

And has no one yet mentioned. . .

Animal House!!!

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**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/32 "2000-09-19T19:20:26Z")

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Dr. Strangeglove–“You can’t fight here! This is the war room!”

The Blues Brothers–“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses.”  
“Hit it.”

Blazing Saddles–“Mayor, that man is a ni- Oops, wrong guy”

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**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/33 "2000-09-19T19:31:22Z")

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I may have to go with WHAT’S UP, TIGER LILY, too. I may have laughed harder at this than any other flick.

_Two incredibly serious Japanese secret agents:_

“It is a recipe…for egg salad.”

“Egg salad?”

“An egg salad so good you could plotz.”

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**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/34 "2000-09-19T20:20:56Z")

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Blazing Saddles, hands down!

Mongo only pawn in game of life.

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**Author:** ![StompyGodzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@StompyGodzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StompyGodzilla)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/35 "2000-09-19T21:43:20Z")

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Life of Brian: “She turned me into a newt! Well…I got better.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Has Steve Martin ever been better? The ending cracks me up every time

After Hours - anyone see this? Superb dark comedy with Griffin Dunne “Surrender, Dorothy!”

Raising Arizona - it’s been said, but worth saying again.

Throw Mama From the Train

What About Bob? baby steps…

Groundhog Day

The first half of Stripes; after that it lost the plot a bit

The Odd Couple - Jack Lemmon making his moose-calling sinus-clearing noises. Walter Mathau growling, “Now it’s gah-bage.” “Do you want to see a typewritten list?”

Father Goose with Cary Grant

And of course from the master Capra:  
Bringing up Baby - “I just went GAY, all of a sudden!”

You Can’t Take it With You

Holiday, with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Lovely, funny film  
I’m sure I’ll think of dozens more the moment I post this.

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**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/36 "2000-09-19T21:54:43Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by StompyGodzilla \*  
> \*\*Life of Brian: “She turned me into a newt! Well…I got better.”  
> \*\*

Uhhh…Stompy? The quote’s from _Holy Grail_…

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**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/37 "2000-09-19T22:53:00Z")

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I know some have been covered already, but I gotta vote:

Some Like It Hot  
Tootsie  
Raising Arizona  
The Odd Couple  
Mr. Roberts  
Arsenic And Old Lace  
Blithe Spirit  
Tampopo

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**Author:** ![Diesel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Diesel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diesel)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/38 "2000-09-19T22:58:20Z")

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i’d have to say, in random order:

Scary Movie- i almost hurt myself laughing at this one.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut- funfact: did you know Trey Parker and Matt Stone used this title because it is also a way to describe a penis? it’s true.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail- 'Nuff said.

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**Author:** ![CollegeStudent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CollegeStudent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CollegeStudent)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/39 "2000-09-19T23:02:10Z")

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1.) It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World

2.) Bringing up Baby

3.) Arsenic and Old Lace

4.) The Odd Couple.

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**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2000, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-funniest-comedy-ever-filmed/33721/40 "2000-09-19T23:04:56Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RickJay \*  
> \*\*
> 
> Dumb and Dumber - The best pure dumbass comedy of all time. Much, much funnier than “There’s Something about Mary,” which I didn’t think was funny at all.  
> \*\*

Amen there. “Kick his ass, seabass!”

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