# What were "comedy" and "laughter" like 100+ years ago? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [July 6, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700 "2023-07-06T20:22:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/101 "2023-07-13T02:50:06Z")
Since you’re a real fan of silents, I thought you’d be interested in my site [SILENT F&SF MOVIES ON YOUTUBE 1895 - 1929](https://www.flyingcarsandfoodpills.com/silent-f-sf-movies-on-youtube-1895-). It has links and credits to nearly 100 movies. (Some of the links have gone bad. YouTube needs tending and watching like a fragile flower garden.) Lots of the early films are comic. Science fiction was a way to put effects, exaggerations, and wonders on screen, but a lot of slapstick - and sometimes satire - accompanied them. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/102 "2023-07-13T03:24:47Z")
Thanks, Tibby! Yes, my dad wrote many popular 50’s and 60’s sitcoms. He was the first writer Jackie Gleason ever shook hands with when he met him. I’m not allowed to give the Amazon link here, but my book "_Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy"_ has stories – as well as those of several other seasoned comedy writers. ---
**Author:** ![Digger11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Digger11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digger11)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/104 "2023-07-13T05:41:08Z")
All of Chaplin’s films that I’ve seen have an utterly bizarre mixture of comedy and pathos. It’s as if he was constitutionally incapable of making a movie that was light-hearted all the way through. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/105 "2023-07-13T06:17:45Z")
I always have liked humor from history when not expected. Like Al Smith talking to the heckler: “Tell 'em what you know Al. It won’t take long.” - “I’ll tell 'em what we both know. It won’t take any longer.” ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/106 "2023-07-13T10:33:47Z")
> [@sophiaWindsor02](#): > > The “Dance of the Rolls” in “The Gold Rush” (1925): Chaplin’s character, the Tramp, is stranded in a remote cabin during a blizzard and imagines himself dancing with dinner rolls, turning them into a pair of legs. Funny (heh heh) you should say that: I just watched The Gold Rush last night, and while I had seen snippets of the dance previously (The Simpsons did a parody of it: Grandpa performed it for his date, and was interrupted by two lawyers from the Chaplin estate), it was enlightening to see it in its entirety. I was especially impressed by its expressiveness. Chaplin’s facial gestures tied in perfectly with the ‘steps’. But I never once had the urge to laugh out loud, as I do when Moe smacks Curly. Or when Homer goes to buy a gun and complains, “Five days? But I’m mad _now!_” Or when Fred Sanford refers to “… that artist–Pistachio!” One of the DVD extras tells the story of two film historians who restored the original silent version of The Gold Rush. One of them describes how fans felt about Chaplin’s work during his heyday: “Charlie Chaplin would cure your depression”. That’s a good description of how I felt watching The Dance of the Rolls. Amusing and lighthearted, as opposed to laugh-out-loud. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/107 "2023-07-13T11:28:38Z")
What a fascinating book @Newtosite! It’s so high on my must-read book list, it’s practically in orbit. This gem is like a secret treasure for comedy enthusiasts like myself (🙋‍♂️ guilty as charged) with stellar reviews. I’m sold—_though I can be rented for a nominal fee (or a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20)._ Your father’s curriculum vitae is exemplary. I’m an unabashed sit-com and nostalgia junky from way back and many of the shows your dad wrote for are those I binge-watch and quote incessantly. I can’t wait to read the behind-the-scene stories. And I’m delighted with the inclusion of Carl Reiner and Norman Lear—these two comedic powerhouses were prime movers and shakers of American comedy. And of course, Jackie Gleason is a TV icon who effortlessly conquered both comedy and drama. It takes some serious chops to steal a scene from Paul Newman, but Gleason did just that as Minnesota Fats in _“The Hustler.”_ It sounds like your dad had a long professional relationship with Jackie. Tré cool! Or as Jackie would say, _“How sweet it is!”_ My only disappointment is that I don’t see _more_ of your posts on these boards. C’mon gal, sharpen your quill and spill your guts (figuratively of course 😱). ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/108 "2023-07-13T11:47:01Z")
> [@sophiaWindsor02](#): > > While Charlie Chaplin is widely regarded as a comedic genius “He certainly is a genius. He invented a way of getting a million dollars a year by wearing stupid trousers.” ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/109 "2023-07-13T13:32:00Z")
> [@sophiaWindsor02](#): > > While Charlie Chaplin is widely regarded as a comedic genius I’m not especially familiar with his work, but for what it’s worth, even before this thread I don’t think I would have thought to refer to Charlie Chaplin as a “comedic genius.” I’d have been more likely to think of him as a “genius silent performer” or a “genius filmmaker” whose work had a strong comedic element. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/110 "2023-07-13T18:07:14Z")
> [@Newtosite](#): > > my book "_Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy"_ has stories – as well as those of several other seasoned comedy writers. Just bought it! I have a huge humor collection that includes many books about early television, but I missed that one. > [@Eric1](#): > > I always have liked humor from history when not expected. Like Al Smith talking to the heckler: “Tell 'em what you know Al. It won’t take long.” - “I’ll tell 'em what we both know. It won’t take any longer.” That’s wit. Humor is planned. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’m not especially familiar with his work, but for what it’s worth, even before this thread I don’t think I would have thought to refer to Charlie Chaplin as a “comedic genius.” I’d have been more likely to think of him as a “genius silent performer” or a “genius filmmaker” whose work had a strong comedic element. Nothing shows the difference time makes than this post. If you said it 100 years ago, they’d send the men in the white coats with butterfly nets after you. Today it’s a perfectly reasonable opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/111 "2023-07-13T21:25:46Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Men dressed as women was a sure knee slapper up until the 70’s. Tyler Perry was still making Madea movies as of last year, _Mrs Brown’s Boys_ is coming back to television, and there’s a new _Mrs Doubtfire_ musical out. And of course panto continues in the UK unabated. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/112 "2023-07-13T21:28:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Tyler Perry was still making Madea movies as of last year, _Mrs Brown’s Boys_ is coming back to television, and there’s a new _Mrs Doubtfire_ musical out. For that matter, _Rupaul’s Drag Race_ is as big as ever. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/113 "2023-07-13T22:40:59Z")
Tibby, Your comments made my day! Thanks so much for your interest in my book; I hope it doesn’t disappoint. I read these boards every day, but don’t feel I have much to add. Maybe that’ll change. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/114 "2023-07-14T12:44:51Z")
An anthropologist with a connection to embryonic television?? Surely you have much to add! 🙂 I was hoping to find your book on audible (having books read _to_ you is easier on older eyes…and it’s like reverting to childhood when your parents read bedtime stories to you), but alas, I didn’t find it there. You may wish to make your book available on Audible. [This](https://cleversequence.com/how-to-get-a-book-on-audible/) article explains the steps involved, if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/115 "2023-07-14T17:18:18Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > For that matter, _Rupaul’s Drag Race_ is as big as ever. I don’t think it’s intended to make fun of drag queens, though. It’s more like a celebration of them. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/116 "2023-07-14T17:24:05Z")
No, but I don’t think any of the shows Gyrate mentioned are, either, ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/117 "2023-07-14T20:01:16Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Identical twin sister, IIRC. Not quite so identical after Linda got buffed up for the second movie! Her twin had to play her in a flashback/ nightmare scene showing her as the waitress she was in the first movie. > [@Digger11](#): > > All of Chaplin’s films that I’ve seen have an utterly bizarre mixture of comedy and pathos. It’s as if he was constitutionally incapable of making a movie that was light-hearted all the way through. Pretty true. Most of his feature films were soggy with sentimentality. The last scene from _City Lights_ always makes me cry, though. I just bought your book, too, @Newtosite … it doesn’t hurt that you’re a fellow Bruin. 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecc23a/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada_Jr)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/118 "2023-07-14T23:12:43Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > Certainly anyone attempting stunts like the “clock scene” IRL, with no “effects” would be insane, or suicidal. But, the Big 3 did do many stunts that were quite dangerous, which no film star today would attempt (nor would the film’s insurance company allow). Jackie Chan says “[hold my beer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNuK9I-TzgY&t=1m1s)”. If my link is correct, this is not to scene as shown in the movie, where Jackie hangs from a clock, slips off, and crashes down through two awnings. No, it is the the (presumably) first take, where he misses the second awning, so he had to do it _again_. On the other hand, Jackie Chan might qualify as insane (or suicidal). ---
**Author:** ![Digger11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Digger11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digger11)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/119 "2023-07-14T23:36:08Z")
And Tom Cruise is not far behind in terms of stunts. > **[‘He is taking it to the next level’: the expert verdict on Tom Cruise’s epic...](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/14/expert-verdict-tom-cruise-mission-impossible-stunts-amy-johnston)** > > Amy Johnston, a stunt veteran of Suicide Squad, Deadpool and more, analyses the new blockbuster’s hair-raising action sequences – and praises the star’s commitment to realism ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/120 "2023-07-15T07:34:51Z")
Thank you, Tibby! I didn’t know anything about Audible. I’m not sure my publisher will allow me to do it, but I’ll certainly ask them about it. ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700/121 "2023-07-15T07:38:40Z")
caarps, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-comedy-and-laughter-like-100-years-ago/986700.md?page=7)