Various types of comedy movies
Humor plays an important role in comedy movies that usually have a happy ending with the exception of black comedy. Comedy is one of the oldest film genres and the first silent film was a comedy. Comedy places an emphasis on individual performers, and several stand-up comedians turn to movies due to their popularity.
Comedy movies are very lighthearted scripted for the sole purpose of entertaining. However, other comedy movies carry a social or political message like dog and man of the year.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is considered the first comedy of manners, however the genre actually rose to prominence during the Restoration period. The plot of the comedy consists of an illicit affair or some other controversy or gossip. Comedy witty dialogues are more important than story.
In a particular type of comedy, the main character or characters find themselves faced with an unusual situation that provokes humor. Such situations can arise, for example, with the exchange of gender roles as in Tootsie (1982); age role change, as in Big (1988); an individual enjoying freedom placed in a structured atmosphere as in Police Academy (1984).
A spoof or spoof is a comedy film that uses sarcasm, stereotyping, and mockery from scenes from other films. Burning Saddles (1974), Plane! (1980) and Young Frankenstein (1974) are examples of this genre.
The lawless comedy film employs nonsensical and goofy, stream-of-consciousness humor that often satirises some form of authority. These kinds of movies have originated from an anarchic stage comedy stage story. Notable films in this category include Duck Soup (1933), National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
Black comedy movies satirize death, murder, suicide, and war, which are generally considered off-limits subjects. Examples include Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), Monsieur Verdoux (1947), Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), The Ladykillers (1955).
Gross movies are of recent origin and are about sex and hygienic humor. There’s Something About Mary (1998) and American Pie (1999) are examples of this genre.
The romantic comedy revolves around the relationship between man and woman. Light-hearted rom-coms often feature social interactions and sexual tensions between the couple. Examples of this type of film include It’s a Wonderful World (1939), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), Sabrina (1954), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Pretty Woman (1990).