1 Laughter in Paradise Mario Zampi's aptly titled diamond - from 1951, and how could it not be with the unflappable Alastair Sim always delivering and George Cole gets the job done just swell here too. Keep your peepers out for a young Audrey Hepburn as a cigarette girl. The film was also remade in the year of 1970 as the forgettable "Some Will, Some Won't" But this is the one that will usher in the guffaws and grins.
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| Life's Sim-ple pleasures. |
2. After The Fox. Legendary Vittorio De Sica ( The Bicycle
Thief) directed this 1966 comedy, adapted from Neil Simon's maiden-voyage of a screenplay, "After The Fox." In this cheeky, comical vehicle, we are delighted yet again, by the then ubiquitous Peter Sellers employing the use of his unparalleled and inimitable wit, befittingly in several incarnations, namely the wordly genius, Aldo Venucci. An adventurous dazzler set iconically in Italy. The unstoppable Burt Bacharach's score adds just a little something more to it's magical cauldron.
3. Ball Of Fire ; Howard Hawks 1941 funnybone tickler, Barbara Stanwyck just the dame ( Sugarpuss O'Shea )that dazzles and razzles naive Professor Potts, (played with a cunning by Mr Gary Cooper), in one cheeky charmer, that will leave you in proverbial stitches. Hmmm Lexicrogaphers and a Burlesque Queen, whatever could they all have in common? Stay tuned and find out in - Ball of Fire. With the prolific Billy Wilder penning the script for this endearer, and Hawks on helm for directing - why how could this not be a keeper? A real deal feel good of a picture
4. And you can Geist who's coming to dinner, courtesy of Joseph L Mankiewicz's The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) starring gorgeous Gene Tierney and the ghost who loved her as played by unctuosly charming Rex Harrison. If your cockles need warming - this will do the trick faster than a cup of cocoa. And on another note, Bernard Hermann's score could not be more adept. This story was also adapted as a Lux Radio play in the same year of it's film release and in the 1960's a televisual treat.
5. The 1937 funnyfest; "Oh Mr. Porter!" starring one of the most beloved British comedians of his day - Mr. Will Hay. And Will Hay wasn't just gifted in giving us guffaws - he was a genius astronomer in coalition with this ability. The highly accomplished Val Guest gave an early hand to help in this one - and naturally Frank Launder pitched in as well, and oh what a Gainsborough goodie this is!
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| And how about a lil' Will Hay Follies? |
And these will all in their own way should definitely coddle you into some proper chortling! Chin-up!