Desert Island Comedies

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Asked by N.Y. Times editors to choose five comedies they'd want in their knapsack if they were stranded on a remote desert island (i.e., one with electricity, a 36" Sony flat screen, a table to put it on, a DVD player and an easy chair), none of these funny-ass professionals -- Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Catherine O'Hara, Bernie Mac, Chris Elliott, Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, David Cross, Ricky Gervais, Santiago Segura, Anna Faris plus four others who don't have very recognizable names -- chose Some Like It Hot, okay? Billy Wilder's greatest film ever! Recount!

My personal five: Some Like It Hot, The Big Lebowski, Sullivan's Travels, Dr. Strangelove, Sideways, Flirting With Disaster, Groundhog Day, Prizzi's Honor, Election, Intolerable Cruelty, Hold That Ghost, Young Frankenstein, Bringing Up Baby, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life and Planes, Trains and Automobiles . Okay, that's fifteen...whatever. How about some lists from the readership?

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on November 12, 2006 at 1:15 AM

comment #1

Dixon Steele says ...

Groundhog Day? Yes!!

Intolerable Cruelty...You've GOT to be kidding?!

Posted by Dixon Steele at November 12, 2006 2:11 AM

comment #2

MattyC says ...

Intolerable Cruelty is rather random.

However, Sideways? Yes. Big Lebowski? Yes!! Groundhog Day? Either the best or worst choice for something you're going to watch over and over again.

I would add Dazed and Confused, Say Anything, and Almost Famous. Not technically comedies, the Cameron Crowe flicks, but lots of character laughs to be had.

Do they all have to be movies? Or just DVD's? Because if not, I would add Freaks and Geeks, the complete series, and, like, one season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Plus all of the Office. And Office Space.

Posted by MattyC at November 12, 2006 2:43 AM

comment #3

jeffmcm says ...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Jeff, but Some Like It Hot has not aged as well as a lot of Wilder's other movies. It's still funny, but its sexual attitudes are not quite up-to-date...shocking that someone as 'hip' and 'with it' as Jeff Wells would be out of touch in an area like this. I have recently watched a bunch of Wilder movies, and Sunset Boulevard, One Two Three, Kiss Me Stupid, and The Fortune Cookie hold up quite well, whereas Stalag 17, The Seven Year Itch, and (to a lesser extent) SLIH seem dated and mannered.

Posted by jeffmcm at November 12, 2006 3:22 AM

comment #4

Mark G. says ...

Mine would be
One, Two, Three (Billy Wilder's fastest comedy ever)
Harvey (Haven't seen it lately though)
Bringing Up Baby
Arsenic and Old Lace
Notting Hill (there should be at least one RomCom on an Island...)

Hmmm, I wonder why 80 % of my choices are b/w...

Posted by Mark G. at November 12, 2006 3:43 AM

comment #5

Mark G. says ...

Oh my God, how could I not include at least one Blake Edwards picture?

Strike Harvey, include The Party...

Posted by Mark G. at November 12, 2006 3:45 AM

comment #6

T. S. Idiot says ...

Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, The Lady Eve, The Palm Beach Story, The Ladykillers (1955).

Posted by T. S. Idiot at November 12, 2006 4:07 AM

comment #7

MarkVH says ...

I'm with jeffmcm on this one - while I disagree somewhat in how well Some Like it Hot holds up (I think it holds up wonderfully well), I don't think it's anywhere close to Wilder's best film (those would be Double Indemnity and The Apartment).

Good on T.S. for His Girl Friday and The Lady Eve - those would make my list as well.

And although most of Sturges' best films have been mentioned, I'll give a shout-out to The Miracle of Morgan's Creek.

No love for the Marx Bros. from anyone? Duck Soup usually gets mentioned as their funniest film, but I actually prefer Horse Feathers and, to some extent, A Night at the Opera (the contract negotiation may be their funniest scene).

And where are the silents? The Gold Rush or Modern Times for Chaplin (City Lights is genius, but not quite as funny as the other two). And for Keaton, I'd go with Sherlock, Jr.

But as snobby and pre-1960s all that stuff might be, I actually think the funniest movie ever made is Airplane. It's the one film I've seen that makes me laugh the loudest and longest every single time I watch it - hell, it even gets funnier over the years. For a (now-)26-year old film, the jokes are so freakin' stupid that they still feel completely fresh.

And finally, don't think I've seen This is Spinal Tap mentioned yet. This makes the top three, along with Strangelove and Airplane for me.

Posted by MarkVH at November 12, 2006 4:25 AM

comment #8

Dr. Smith says ...

If I had to choose ONLY five--JEFF--then I'd have to go with:

Arthur
Young Frankenstein
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
Dr. Strangelove
Sleeper

It would pain me to leave behind...

Airplane
Life of Brian
Ed Wood
Election
A Fish Called Wanda
The Odd Couple
Animal House
Being John Malkovich
Soapdish
Sixteen Candles
The Big Lebowski
Raising Arizona
Some Like It Hot
Planes Trains & Automobiles
Nell (hilarious)
School of Rock
Dazed & Confused
Say Anything

...and many, many others.

I deliberately left Groundhog Day off the list since it's about a guy who's stuck in the same day over and over again, which would be painfully synonymous with my situation on the desert island, make me much more depressed and lead to my eventual insanity much quicker.

Posted by Dr. Smith at November 12, 2006 4:27 AM

comment #9

Doug Pratt says ...

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Weekend at Bernie's
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Dr. Strangelove
Casino Royale

Posted by Doug Pratt at November 12, 2006 4:47 AM

comment #10

crabbieshollywood.blogspot.com says ...

Schindler's List
The Sorrow and the Pity
The Passion of the Christ
World Trade Center
The Burbs

Posted by crabbieshollywood.blogspot.com at November 12, 2006 6:04 AM

comment #11

agrayesq says ...

Slap Shot
Animal House
The Out of Towners(Lemmon)
Blazing Saddles
Groundhog Day

Posted by agrayesq at November 12, 2006 6:18 AM

comment #12

le corbeau says ...

Yeah, I guess silent comedy has been completely forgotten. You guys need to see a Buster Keaton movie with a big audience, and hear what laughter is.

Anyway:
Our Hospitality (Keaton)
It's a Gift (Fields)
My Belgian set of R2 Laurel and Hardy sound shorts, since Hallmark won't release them R1 in the US
The Palm Beach Story (I know Sullivan's Travels is dramatically stronger, but laugh for laugh, nutty character for nutty character, you can't beat Palm Beach Story)
The In-Laws

Posted by le corbeau at November 12, 2006 6:22 AM

comment #13

transmogrifier says ...

In no order:

Dazed and Confused
Life of Brian
When Harry Met Sally
Fight Club
Groundhog Day

Posted by transmogrifier at November 12, 2006 6:29 AM

comment #14

JoeGreenia says ...

Duck Soup
Young Frankenstein
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Love and Death
This is Spinal Tap
Dr. Strangelove
Raising Arizona

I'll throw Lebowski on there, that's a good choice. And, of course, Ghostbusters.

Posted by JoeGreenia at November 12, 2006 6:33 AM

comment #15

JoeGreenia says ...

Right Mgmax, I should definitely have had some Buster on there. I'll say Cops.

Posted by JoeGreenia at November 12, 2006 6:36 AM

comment #16

Chris Molanphy says ...

Going back to the article, it's a pretty idiosyncratic cross-section of "funny people," and hence a strange selection of movies. I actually like a lot of the individual people's lists, but in aggregate it's not a very authoritative list of all-time great comedies. You'd have to get a much larger sample to get a really sound sample of great comedies.

Still, for what it's worth, the undisputed most-mentioned in the Times article is 'This Is Spinal Tap,' which is in my Top Five and is an excellent choice.

The others for me would be many of the usual suspects listed here: 'Holy Grail,' 'Groundhog Day,' 'Airplane!' and maybe 'Rushmore,' if one could call that a comedy; if not, hell, I'd go with '40 Year Old Virgin.'

Posted by Chris Molanphy at November 12, 2006 6:52 AM

comment #17

jjgittes says ...

Annie Hall

This Is Spinal Tap

The Graduate

After Hours

Rushmore

Election

Yes, I know that's 6 !!

Posted by jjgittes at November 12, 2006 6:56 AM

comment #18

Rob says ...

Flirting with Disaster
Bullets Over Broadway
Waiting for Guffman
Young Frankenstein
Showgirls

Posted by Rob at November 12, 2006 7:00 AM

comment #19

Reedyb says ...

Blues Brothers
Dr. Strangelove
Duck Soup
Manhattan
Young Frankenstein

Posted by Reedyb at November 12, 2006 7:58 AM

comment #20

zoey says ...

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Duck Soup
Ferris Bueller
Waiting for Guffman
Airplane
Big

OK 6. These are the ones that if I catch in progress I will always finish watching.

Posted by zoey at November 12, 2006 8:01 AM

comment #21

Griff says ...

Intolerable Cruelty was a wonderful re-imagining of a 40s screwball comedy. I think it was too off-beat and had too many wacky characters to really catch on with the average viewer.

GroundHog Day: Yes!
Dave
The Sure Thing
Wallace and Grommit
The Gold Rush

Call me an apostate.

Posted by Griff at November 12, 2006 8:18 AM

comment #22

Mr. Muckle says ...

It's a Gift (W.C. Fields)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

The Big Lebowski

Play It Again, Sam

The Bank Dick

(Fields' heroic misery always makes me feel better.)

Posted by Mr. Muckle at November 12, 2006 8:19 AM

comment #23

Ju-osh says ...

Ed Wood
True Romance
Groundhog Day
Dr. Strangelove
Night At The Opera/Day At The Races/Duck Soup
The Kid/Modern Times/The Great Dictator (okay, so this one's not really even in my Chaplin Top 5, but Paulette Goddard is a spastic little beauty in this and I'm stranded ALONE, FOREVER, right?)

Posted by Ju-osh at November 12, 2006 8:33 AM

comment #24

Josh Massey says ...

Midnight Run
Blazing Saddles
Airplane!
The Blues Brothers
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Posted by Josh Massey at November 12, 2006 8:34 AM

comment #25

Eddie says ...

Wait..where would these guys plug in the TV?

Posted by Eddie at November 12, 2006 8:36 AM

comment #26

Movie fan09 says ...

1.Help
2.Wayne's World
3.After Hours
4.Horse Feathers
5.The Jerk

Posted by Movie fan09 at November 12, 2006 8:49 AM

comment #27

jesse says ...

Airplane!
Anchorman
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Royal Tenenbaums

Clerks, Wayne's World, and Wet Hot American Summer would have to fight it out for slot #5.

Posted by jesse at November 12, 2006 8:59 AM

comment #28

christian says ...

don't know where to start...

monty python holy grail

airplane

annie hall

the nutty professor (jerry makes me laugh)

dr strangelove

plus:

happpy gilmore. it's sloppy but absolutely hilarious.

Posted by christian at November 12, 2006 9:46 AM

comment #29

Breedlove says ...

i'm very happy jeff chose 'intolerable cruelty.' probably the most underrated coen bros. flick. i think it's funnier than lebowski. clooney is great in it but billy bob in particular just kills. "this here's for you, honey! i love you like a sunuvabitch!"

Posted by Breedlove at November 12, 2006 9:59 AM

comment #30

Arran says ...

Just 5 is tough, but I'll try:

The Big Lebowski
Groundhog Day
Airplane
This Is Spinal Tap
Chasing Amy

Cameron Crowe's my boy, but since none of his flicks are flat-out comedies I'll save myself from complicating things.

Posted by Arran at November 12, 2006 10:10 AM

comment #31

Daniel Fienberg says ...

Is The Apartment not a comedy? Because if it is -- and I laugh every time I watch it -- I'd take it over Some Like it Hot most days of the week...

My five:

The Apartment
Groundhog Day
The Phildelphia Story
Love & Death
The Simpsons Season 4

-Daniel

Posted by Daniel Fienberg at November 12, 2006 10:14 AM

comment #32

erniesouchak says ...

Intolerable Cruelty was NOT funny, aside from 2, maybe 3 moments.

I just can't limit this to 5. Sorry!

1. Dr. Strangelove
2. Life of Brian
3. What's Up, Doc?
4. Female Trouble
5. Bowfinger
6. Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
7. Moonlighting Seasons 1-3
8. Caddyshack
9. Waiting for Guffman
10. The Marx Bros. movie where Groucho plays Capt. Spaulding. (sorry -- title escape me at the moment)
11. Rushmore
12. This is Spinal Tap
13. Jiminy Glick

Posted by erniesouchak at November 12, 2006 10:25 AM

comment #33

Ju-osh says ...

If the responses on this board in any way reflect the thoughts of those filling out the best-of ballots in the AFI, Groundhog Day oughtta be topping their next listing of '100 Greatest Comedies.'

Posted by Ju-osh at November 12, 2006 10:25 AM

comment #34

T-maker says ...

My go-to five:

1. Duck Soup
2. Dr. Strangelove
3. Shaun of the Dead
4. Waiting for Guffman
5. His Girl Friday

Posted by T-maker at November 12, 2006 10:46 AM

comment #35

Movie fan09 says ...

Rushmore!!

so..

1.Rushmore
2.Help
3.Horse feathers
4.After Hours
5.Shaun of the Dead
6.Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Posted by Movie fan09 at November 12, 2006 11:06 AM

comment #36

Titus Pullo says ...

Welcome to the Dollhouse
Kingpin
A Fish Called Wanda
Groundhog Day
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Posted by Titus Pullo at November 12, 2006 11:17 AM

comment #37

Titus Pullo says ...

Welcome to the Dollhouse
Kingpin
A Fish Called Wanda
Groundhog Day
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Posted by Titus Pullo at November 12, 2006 11:19 AM

comment #38

Goulet says ...

Dr. Strangelove
The Producers
Groundhog Day
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
The Big Lebowski

Posted by Goulet at November 12, 2006 11:20 AM

comment #39

Titus Pullo says ...

Welcome to the Dollhouse
Kingpin
A Fish Called Wanda
Groundhog Day
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Posted by Titus Pullo at November 12, 2006 11:21 AM

comment #40

erniesouchak says ...

How could we forget "Beyond Borders"?
ALWAYS good for a laugh.

Posted by erniesouchak at November 12, 2006 11:23 AM

comment #41

mdc says ...

1. The Awful Truth (the all-time winner)
2. Trouble in Paradise
3. The Producers (you can't hold the musical against it)
4. Caddyshack
5. His Girl Friday (and nothing wrong with the original Front Page)
6. Palm Beach Story
7. Desire (OK, not great, but I love it.)
8. Does The Thin Man count or is it more droll than funny?

Posted by mdc at November 12, 2006 11:28 AM

comment #42

Min says ...

Nothing Sacred

One, Two, Three

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

The Producers(1968)

Go

Gotta have some Dick Shawn.

Posted by Min at November 12, 2006 11:38 AM

comment #43

FrankSennett says ...

1. Animal Crackers
2. Modern Romance
3. Big Lebowski
4. Monty Python & The Holy Grail
5. Caddyshack

And now, I must be going...

Posted by FrankSennett at November 12, 2006 11:38 AM

comment #44

Gabriel says ...

Big Lebowski
I Heart Huckabees
Rushmore
Made
Freddy Got Fingered (that's right, I said it)

Posted by Gabriel at November 12, 2006 11:42 AM

comment #45

NYCBusybody says ...

This is Spinal Tap
Rushmore
Waiting for Guffman
Modern Times
A Shot in the Dark

Posted by NYCBusybody at November 12, 2006 11:44 AM

comment #46

insidah says ...

For me...

Annie Hall
Bullets over Broadway
Clueless
Mean Girls
Singing in the Rain

God I'm gay.

Posted by insidah at November 12, 2006 12:09 PM

comment #47

Larry says ...

Someone way up top said Stalag 17 was dated. I just watched it last night and think it might be Wilder's best. Also, if you think Some Like It Hot doesn't work anymore, watch it with a big crowd.

I can't narrow it to five, but if I had to make a top 100 list, I'm guessing there'd be more pre-1945 than post-1945.

To be more specific, if you're talking about American film comedy, the silent era was great, the 30s were great, the 40s bad except Preston Sturges, the 50s bad except Wilder and a few other spots, the 60s weak with some brilliant exceptions (Strangelove, The Graduate), the 70s great (Woody Allen and Mel Brooks at their funniest, and some Monty Python), the 80s decent (the full influence of SNL takes over here, for better or worse), and everything since 1990 so-so.

Posted by Larry at November 12, 2006 12:10 PM

comment #48

Dan Revill says ...

Dumb & Dumber
The Producers (1968)
The Big Lebowski
The Princess Bride
Rushmore

Posted by Dan Revill at November 12, 2006 12:11 PM

comment #49

Rod32303 says ...

WITHOUT A DOUBT
Intolerable Cruelty

and also

What's Up Doc (seriously, laugh riot)
Blazing Saddles
Married To The Mob
Sixteen Candles (guilty pleasure)

Posted by Rod32303 at November 12, 2006 1:00 PM

comment #50

dixiedugan says ...

My Man Godfrey is number one, and number one in my fave all time movies list.

Then in no particular order...To Have And Have Not (1942), Born Yesterday (1950 - Double negative right? Right!), Blazing Saddles, A Slight Case of Murder, His Girl Friday, Animal Crackers, You Can't Take It With You, Ball of Fire, and any of the first three The Thin Man movies.

God bless Penny Singleton in After The Thin Man - "Whaddaya mean 'illiterate'? My father and mother were married right here in the city hall!" Cracks me up every time.

Posted by dixiedugan at November 12, 2006 1:05 PM

comment #51

Doug Pratt says ...

Isn't anyone going to mention Road to Morocco?

Posted by Doug Pratt at November 12, 2006 1:21 PM

comment #52

Patrick says ...

- Being There
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
- One, Two, Three
- Bringing Up Baby
- The Pink Panther Strikes Again
- Bulworth
- Heaven Can Wait
- City Lights
- Modern Times
- Sherlock Jr.
- Duck Soup
- A Day at the Races

Just to name a few.

Posted by Patrick at November 12, 2006 1:32 PM

comment #53

slothroplt says ...

five:

- rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead
- a christmas story
- annie hall
- lost in america
- fargo

and five x 2 more:
- galaxy quest
- the ref
- let it ride
- 10
- biloxi blues
- buffalo 66
- royal tannenbaums
- flirting with disaster
- the big lebowski
- ed wood

Posted by slothroplt at November 12, 2006 1:57 PM

comment #54

jeffmcm says ...

Oh wow, people actually made lists:

Airplane!
Young Frankenstein
The Happiness of the Katakuris
The Palm Beach Story
Pink Flamingos

Posted by jeffmcm at November 12, 2006 2:45 PM

comment #55

donnyboy says ...

What is with the actor's being listed, is that new?

THE DINNER GAME (Veber)
WINTER LIGHT (Bergman)
WHAT ABOUT BOB? (Oz)
OC AND STIGGS (Altman)
&
Maria Schneider's drug addled line readings in THE PASSENGER (Antonioni) I laughed so hard I had to excuse myself from the theatre as I was disrupting people who loved being fucked over by Antonioni once again (BLOWUP was pretty good).

Posted by donnyboy at November 12, 2006 3:27 PM

comment #56

Hallick says ...

OC and Stiggs! Damn donnyboy, I thought I was the only one who ever saw that little gem.

Posted by Hallick at November 12, 2006 4:56 PM

comment #57

donnyboy says ...

Hallick:

As someone with family members who sold insurance (remember that song in the ad, Hilarious!) and who lived in Arizona, it was so TRUE which made it so funny as is the case with the great cinematic laffers.

At the end when (I think it was) OC, slyly sticks the spoon in the small cactus in a cup so his father would eat it...great stuff!

Posted by donnyboy at November 12, 2006 5:16 PM

comment #58

christian says ...

and guilty 90's pleasure SHAKES THE CLOWN which is a must-see solely for the enormous comedic talent on display. a funny fucking film. and even a great robin williams cameo.

Posted by christian at November 13, 2006 8:42 AM

comment #59

wiffle2006 says ...

Top 5, in no particular order...
1. Kicking and Screaming (Baumbach, not Ferrell)
2. This Is Spinal Tap
3. Airplane!
4. His Girl Friday
5. When Harry Met Sally
-------
And in the "Killing me to leave out" category... (again, no particular order)
6. Princess Bride
7. Miller's Crossing
8. Dr. Strangelove
9. A Fish Called Wanda
10. Raising Arizona
11. Singles
12. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
13. Fargo
14. Galaxy Quest
15. Blazing Saddles
16. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
17. The Full Monty

Posted by wiffle2006 at November 13, 2006 10:39 AM

comment #60

ArchiveGuy says ...

Ordet
Vertigo
Some Like It Hot
2001: A Space Odyssey
Chloe in the Afternoon

Not my favorite 5, but the 5 that personally resonate and the ones I'd probably miss the most (in a balanced sort of way), though the only reason I have "Hot" in there, really, is because it's my wife's favorite film, and having it with me would remind me of her (if I had to choose a comedy on my own, it'd be The General or The Lady Eve or His Girl Friday)

Posted by ArchiveGuy at November 13, 2006 10:49 AM

comment #61

The Movie Man says ...

American Splendor
Sideways
Young Frankenstein
Kingpin
Dr. Strangelove
Rushmore
Something Wild
Adaptation
The Big Lebowski
Trouble in Paradise
Election
A Mighty Wind
Dazed and Confused

Posted by The Movie Man at November 13, 2006 11:01 AM

comment #62

dangovich says ...

IMO Bananas is the funniest Woody Allen movie.

Posted by dangovich at November 13, 2006 11:24 AM

comment #63

christian says ...

i think the first 20 minutes of BANANAS are brilliant. the movie blows once he gets to south america.

Posted by christian at November 13, 2006 12:07 PM

comment #64

RoyBatty says ...

Just a pet peeve, but it always bugs me when people make a long list of their favorite (fill in the blank) type movie.

Thats the whole point of the exercise, it's SUPPOSED to be hard to list just 5. You have to make some hard choices, like do you go with HOLY GRAIL over MEANING OF LIFE for your Monty Python pick. Do you take ANNIE HALL over TAKE THE MONEY & RUN for Woody Allen.

Do you want to laugh and also remember your childhood by taking a DVD of Three Stooges shorts or do you indulge your adult appreciation for the subtle charms of Buster Keaton or Chaplin? Is ANIMAL HOUSE on the list because you get to laugh and lust after Karen Allen or do you want to chuckle 'til you cry with AIRPLANE.

This isn't some moral choice (like this week's Galactica that pits suicide vs genocide) where you can decide to reject the very simple rules because you reject the idea that only those choices exist. Yes, just 5 films is going to give people a very good idea of what you find funny. That's the point.

Okay, rant over.

Have no idea what my 5 would be, would have to sit down and look over a list of films.

Posted by RoyBatty at November 13, 2006 1:28 PM

comment #65

Cadavra says ...

(alphabetically)
BLAZING SADDLES
DUCK SOUP
IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD
ONE TWO THREE
TWENTIETH CENTURY

Glad to see so many mentions of ONE TWO THREE; always felt it was a private pleasure.

Posted by Cadavra at November 13, 2006 8:41 PM

comment #66

FrankSennett says ...

Jeff, just got around to reading the NYT Mag's entire comedy issue, and although no one picked Some Like It Hot for their desert island movie, Bob Balaban does give it a wry shout-out here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/magazine/12hodgman.html?pagewanted=print

Posted by FrankSennett at November 14, 2006 9:21 AM

comment #67