Chapter 8 - American Comedy #3

A slapstick comedy is the type of comedy that involves exaggerated physical violence and activities. Slapstick comedies are films that use physical violence to make the audience laugh. The term “slapstick” refers to a club-like object with two wooden slats. When hit by it the “slapstick” makes a loud noise effect that does not require a lot of force. The beginnings of slapstick comedies come from the Renaissance period, and many believe that it has been part of all comedy genres since the middle ages. The style of comedy was explored even more during the “golden era” of black and white silent movies. Silent, black and white slapstick comedies directed by people like Mack Sennett and Hal Roach, and that featured people like Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and the Marx Brothers really made the slapstick comedy famous. These were some of the heroes of slapstick comedy. Also some other well known for being in slapstick’s were the Three Stooges, the Keystone Kops, and Laurel and Hardy. Charlie Chaplin was one of the most popular for his slapstick comedies. He had developed his Tramp character early in his carrier. His character consisted of baggy pants, large shoes, a tight coat, a small hat, and a small mustache to make him look older. Chaplin then started to direct and edit his own films after a year at Keystone. He continued to write his own comedies and signed a deal with Mutual Film Corporation and he wrote twelve comedies in eight months. Another influential person during the slapstick comedy period is Buster Keaton. Keaton was known for his banana peel routine, and in the movie Sherlock Jr. he tried to get his rival to slip on the peel, but he did not fall for it and Keaton ended up slipping on it. I think that slapstick comedies were such a successful movie vehicle because of the physical violence. The physical violence is so animated that it makes the violence funny. Also since some were made silently the expressions on the faces and during and after physical parts made them funny and likeable.