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Tag: Comedy

  • Movie Comedy Duos

    Movie Comedy Duos

    Comedy Duos

    One of the most popular comedy teams of all time was Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. They worked together for 10 years and 17 movies. The partnership (and friendship) ended in July 1956.

    They met in 1945 and debuted at Atlantic City’s 500 Club on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. Before they teamed up, Martin was a nightclub singer, while Lewis performed a comedy act lip-synching to records. They met at Atlantic City’s 500 Club and pretty much ad-libbed their show, rough at first, bet the chemistry soon jelled. They appeared on the first episode of Ed Sullivan’s show, Toast of the Town, in June 1948, and became inseparable for nearly a decade.

    Initially, they performed as “Martin and Lewis” but the rebranding to use both of their full names came in handy after the break-up, they were each well known. For reasons that have never really been explained, the pair stopped working together. They seldom spoke either.

    On Sept 6, 1976 – Dean Martin appeared on Jerry Lewis’ 11th Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Frank Sinatra brought Dean up to Jerry’s stage. The reunion was a happy one, and they did keep in touch again, Lewis said “every day”. In 1989, at their last meeting, Jerry joked “Why we broke up, I’ll never know.”

    What Really Caused The Jerry and Dean Breakup?

    Mostly a little jealousy. Jerry and Dean both had their talents, but Jerry was getting more attention and Magazine covers. After the breakup, they both had beggir careers. The Telethon Reunion was one of the most iconic moments in Television History and could be called the last shining moment from The Golden Age of Television.

    What Makes a Comedy Duo Work?

    Typically this kind of comedy act had two people, 
    1. The Comic, usually the silly guy who got the laughs, and.. 
    2. THE STRAIGHT MAN, who set up the jokes.

    The earliest well-known Comedy duos were Laurel and Hardy. They were both established actors who first appeared as a team together in 1927, they were tight friends, and Stan Laurel never performed again after his friend Oliver Hardy died in 1957.

    George Burns and Gracie Allen
    Another famous duo from the early days was the Husband and Wife Team of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Their comedy act was one that was hard for anybody to duplicate. They were married in real life, and the routine started with George being the FUNNY guy and GRACIE the naive FOIL, but that turned around when GRACIEs naivety made her the funny one.

    Abbott and Costello
    They were best known for their ‘WHO’s ON FIRST’ routine and made 40 movies together.

    Bob Hope & Bing Crosby
    Hope and Crosby made 8 “Road” movies together: Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), Road to Utopia (1946), Road to Rio (1947), Road to Bali (1952) and The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
    Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau
    Appeared in 11 movies together, including Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple and their sequels.
    Dan Aykroyd & John Belushi
    Appeared in The Blues Brothers (1980), Neighbors (1981), in 1941, they barely acknowledge each other, for comedic effect.
    Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor
    Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989),  Another You (1991)
    Cheech and Chong
    Appeared together in Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie, Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers, Nice Dreams, Still Smokin, Things Are Tough All Over, and Up in Smoke. They have never really been close friends.
    Chris Farley & David Spade
    Appeared together on Saturday Night Live and two films; Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996)
    Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson
    Over 20 years, there were 12 films the did together: The Cable Guy (1996), Permanent Midnight (1998), Meet the Parents (2000), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Zoolander (2001), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Meet the Fockers (2004), Night at the Museum (2006), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Little Fockers (2010), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Zoolander 2 (2016)
    Jay and his “hetero life partner” Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith)
    Their real-life friendship fuzzies the line between real life and their “view askew” universe.

    Seth Rogen and James Franco
    Their big-screen collaborations started in 2008 with Pineapple Express but met while they both worked on Television’s Freaks and Geeks.

    Other people who make magic when appearing together include Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost, and Tina Fey & Amy Poehler. Penn and Teller have been performing together since 1975.

    In the 1970s and 80s, we had Cheech and Chong following the straight man/comic foil formula. Nickelodeon had Kenan and Kell playing off each other too. On the cartoon front, we have frenemies Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, usually BUGS pressing Daffy’s Buttons.

  • Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour Road Films

    Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour Road Films

    Road Films With Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour

    The Road to Singapore (1940)

    US Release Date: March 14, 1940
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour\
    Plot: Best friends Josh (Bing Crosby) and Ace (Bob Hope) flee their impending marriages and sail to the exotic port of Singapore. There, they meet Mima (Dorothy Lamour), a captivating dancer, and both vie for her affections, sparking a series of comedic rivalries and adventures.

    The Road to Zanzibar (1941)
    US Release Date: April 11, 1941
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: After escaping from a circus con, Josh and Ace embark on a wild African adventure. They cross paths with diamond smugglers and a princess in need of a husband, leading to a chaotic scramble through the jungle filled with humor and danger.

    The Road to Morocco (1942)

    US Release Date: October 5, 1942
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: Shipwreck survivors Josh and Ace wash up on the shores of Morocco, where they stumble into a plot involving a beautiful princess and a scheming sheik. The duo’s hilarious misadventures include romantic entanglements and mistaken identities.

    The Road to Utopia (1946)

    US Release Date: March 27, 1946
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: Seeking gold in Alaska, Josh and Ace impersonate dangerous criminals to claim a fortune. Their plans are complicated when they encounter a crooked saloon owner and a charming singer, leading to a treasure hunt filled with comic mishaps.

    The Road to Rio (1947)

    US Release Date: December 25, 1947
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: After accidentally boarding a ship to Brazil, Josh and Ace find themselves entangled in a plot to steal a priceless diamond. Their journey is fraught with zany schemes and pursuits by international criminals, all set against the backdrop of Rio’s vibrant culture.

    The Road to Bali (1952)

    US Release Date: November 19, 1952
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: Shipwrecked on a lush tropical island, Josh and Ace compete for the love of a beautiful native woman while dealing with the perils of a mad scientist and a legendary giant squid. The duo’s comic rivalry is tested in this exotic paradise.

    The Road to Hong Kong (1962)

    US Release Date: May 22, 1962
    Starring: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Joan Collins, with an extended cameo featuring Dorothy Lamour
    Plot: In the series’ final film, Josh and Ace find themselves involved in a mistaken top-secret espionage plot. With the help of a mysterious spy (Joan Collins) and their old flame (Dorothy Lamour), they embark on a globe-trotting adventure that takes them from Hong Kong to the Himalayas, filled with classic antics and comedic confusion.

    Brief Biographies of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour

    Bob Hope

    • Personality: Known for his quick wit and impeccable comedic timing, Bob Hope was one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th century. His on-stage persona was that of a wise-cracking everyman, often poking fun at himself, which endeared him to audiences worldwide. Hope was also famous for his tireless support of American troops, performing in numerous USO shows over the decades.
    • Involvement in Road Films: Hope played a central role in the “Road” film series, often portraying characters that were lovable yet bumbling sidekicks to Bing Crosby’s slightly more composed figures. His humorous and light-hearted approach perfectly counterbalanced Crosby’s smooth demeanor, creating a dynamic and entertaining duo.

    Bing Crosby

    • Personality: Bing Crosby was known for his smooth baritone voice and laid-back, easygoing charm. He exuded a warm, approachable on-screen presence that made him a favorite in American homes. Off-camera, Crosby was a passionate golfer and a significant figure in the development of recorded media technology.
    • Involvement in Road Films: Crosby often played the “straight man” to Bob Hope’s comedic antics in the “Road” movies. His character usually initiated the duo’s various escapades and romantic entanglements. Crosby’s smooth singing voice was a highlight in many films, contributing to several memorable musical sequences.

    Dorothy Lamour

    • Personality: Dorothy Lamour was known for her exotic beauty and versatility as an actress. She often played the romantic interest or the damsel in distress with a touch of intelligence and moxie. Her warm demeanor and talent for comedy and drama made her a valuable and memorable part of any cast.
    • Involvement in Road Films: Lamour was famously dubbed the “Road” series’ leading lady, appearing in all but one of the films. She often played the role of a smart, resourceful woman who competed with and romanced Hope and Crosby’s characters. Lamour’s performances added charm and a romantic flair to the series, and her presence was integral to the trio’s chemistry.

    25 Bits of Trivia About the “Road Films”

    1. Improvised Genius: Much of Bob Hope’s and Bing Crosby’s dialogue was ad-libbed, contributing to the films’ spontaneous and humorous atmosphere.

    2. Recurring Leading Lady: Dorothy Lamour starred in all but the last of the original “Road” films, often wearing a sarong, which became her trademark look.

    3. Musical Highlights: Each film featured at least one song that became a hit, including classics like “Moonlight Becomes You” and “Road to Morocco.”

    4. Cameo Appearances: The series is known for its cameo appearances by well-known era stars, including Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and even Frank Sinatra.

    5. The Formula: The “Road” films followed a successful formula where Hope and Crosby would play two adventurers who end up in exotic locales, compete for Lamour’s affections, and sing songs.

    6. Breaking the Fourth Wall: Bob Hope and Bing Crosby frequently broke the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience, which was innovative for its time.

    7. Last-Minute Title: The Road to Hong Kong was initially titled The Road to the Moon but was changed due to the space race context of the time.

    8. Not the End: The Road to Hong Kong was intended to be followed by The Road to the Fountain of Youth, but it was never made due to Crosby’s death in 1977.

    9. Technicolor Triumph: The Road to Singapore, the first in the series, was one of the early films to use Technicolor, helping to popularize the technology.

    10. Critical Acclaim: While known for their comedic elements, the films were also critically acclaimed and received several award nominations.

    11. Parody Element: The films often parodied other popular genres and films of the time, including adventure epics and film noir.

    12. Animal Antics: Animals frequently played significant roles in the films, including an orangutan in The Road to Bali.

    13. Economic Impact: The series was extremely profitable, consistently earning more than double their production costs.

    14. Script Changes: Scripts were often rewritten on set to accommodate new jokes or plot ideas, particularly those improvised by Hope and Crosby.

    15. Innovative Marketing: The films were among the first to use extensive cross-promotion, often featuring in radio shows and comic strips.

    16. Film References: The series often referenced other films Hope, Crosby, and Lamour were filming at the time, poking fun at Hollywood itself.

    17. Impact on Pop Culture: Phrases from the films, such as “pat it and mark it with a ‘B’,” became catchphrases that entered popular vocabulary.

    18. Global Appeal: Despite their American sense of humor, the films enjoyed international success, helping to globalize Hollywood cinema.

    19. Directorial Shifts: The films had various directors; however, Hal Walker directed several, setting much of the stylistic tone.

    20. Unscripted Songs: Many of the songs were written impromptu on set and integrated into the films’ plots.

    21. Costume Influence: Dorothy Lamour’s sarong became so popular that it sparked a fashion trend in the 1940s.

    22. Legacy: The series influenced later buddy comedies, establishing a genre template of combining humor with exotic adventure.

    23. Adaptations: There were numerous adaptations of the series in other media, including radio plays and a comic book series.

    24. Ratings Success: The films were consistently among the top box office draws of their years of release.

    25. Enduring Popularity: The “Road” films remain popular today, frequently screened at film festivals and on classic movie channels.