Laurel & Hardy or Charlie Chaplin

[The Toyroom]

I'm pretty much unfamilair with Chaplin's work....and I've been soured on Laurel and Hardy ever since the "Laurel and Hardy Laff-Toons" in the 70s (syndicated half-hour cuts of their films with no sound...only annoying music).

My favorites of the genre are definitely Abbott and Costello and Harold Lloyd.

[Bo8a_Fett]

Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd...find Chaplin hard to watch same with Keaton.

[EmergencyIan]

The really like Chaplin, a lot. Laurel and Hardy were funny.

What I think and am going to state is that this thread should either be titled "Abbott & Costello or Laurel & Hardy" or "Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton." Comparing the subjects of this thread is almost a kin to comparing apples to oranges.

- Ian

[Hector]

I'd never heard of Cantinflas, so thanks for the info Hector. That was a funny clip. When was that film made, the mid to late 1940s or so? How much of his work has been translated into English (either dubbed or subbed)?

Cantinflas made only two English-speaking films, Around the World in Eighty Days (with David Niven) and Pepe.

His prime was in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema in the 40s through the 60s (he acted in 70s films too, but he was no longer prime).

While he was a very physical comedian, his forté was dialogue, and most of his jokes did not translate to English very well...that's why he was in only two English-speaking films. But boy, in Spanish, there was no one funnier, lol.

Here's Cantinflas with David Niven in a scene from Around the World in Eighty Days:



Glad you know him now.

[trekfan]

I like them both. Every once in a while, I'll take out the 16mm Projector and fire up some old time fun. I'm also a big fan of A&C and The Marx Bros. Even though I've seen those movies quite a few times, they're still laugh out loud funny.

David

[The Phantom]

[QUOTE=Hector;165137]Aside from Buster Keaton's The General...there are no other movies of its genre that can seriously compete with Chaplin's films in terms of significance...I'm really taken at back at all these anti-Chaplin sentiments...I almost find them offensive.


What exactly do you mean by significance? You do know that Chaplin didn't invent comedy, film, or pathos.With Chaplin what's left?Not for nothing he was at the right place at the right time. If anything he invented the trademark, which all comedians followed. Make sure you have something the audience remembers. Three stooges(hair) W.C.Fields(nose) Marx Brothers(instrumets) Laurel & Hardy(hats) Eddie Cantor(eyes) etc.,etc. I'm sorry,I know that he's a "legend", but I don't feel the need to call him that just because he was there first.

[cjefferys]

I'd never heard of Cantinflas, so thanks for the info Hector. That was a funny clip. When was that film made, the mid to late 1940s or so? How much of his work has been translated into English (either dubbed or subbed)?

[Hector]

One that often escapes Anglo audiences was the great Mexican comedian Cantinflas.



Cantinflas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He was Charlie Chaplin's favorite comic.

Check out this scene from one of his classic movies...the dance scene is hilarious, especially towards the end where he starts flipping that poor girl all over the place (around the 4:15 minute mark), lol:

YouTube - Cantinflas Bailando

Cantinflas was one of the greats, and in the Spanish-speaking world, has no equal.

[The Phantom]

Right! Chico playing the piano was amazing to watch! But when Harpo played the harp, it got a little tedious. He was extremely talented, and as I got older I knew the songs he played, but it went a little longer than it should have. But nothing was better than Groucho singing the great songs that Kelmer & Ruby wrote.

[cjefferys]

I love the Marx Brothers too. The only thing that always bugged me is that they, or more likely the studio, always felt the need to throw in some musical numbers that weren't even necessary, and in fact just ended up throwing off the rhythm of the films.

[The Phantom]

I haven't seen any of the movies for either one. Now if it was the Marx Brothers,I'd watch them morning,noon and night.

Sorry.I didn't see your earlier post. The FOUR Marx Brothers were second to none! Even Chaplin said to Groucho once, "I wish I could talk like you" . Groucho said it was the greatest compliment he could ever receive.

[The Phantom]

Does anyone like the Marx Brothers?

[kingdom warrior]

Chaplin is God!

[Goblin19]

City Lights has the perfect ending.

[cjefferys]

If I had to make a list of my favourite 10 films ever, Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS would certainly be on that list. What a great film.