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Presentation Script

How British slapstick comedy has developed from the twentieth century to the present day.

[Lights dim down]

Presenter: Sir Norman Wisdom was one of the biggest comedy stars of his genre and of his time. Nominated for an Oscar, best supporting actor, he had also earned a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer in 1954, his performances on Broadway in his later career also got him nominated for a Tony Award, however his biggest award he achieved was his knighthood in the year 2000. He was a big star and today he is still a big star of the comedy Genre, we've seen this through his work with Lee Evans in the 1990's.

( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936295/awards - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936295/bio )

Video Clip: Norman Wisdom's The Early Bird trailer, directed by Robert Asher (item 10).

''..The slapstick legend stars in another slapstick comedy with mischief and gags throughout''

Video Clip: Monty Python and the Holy Grail trailer, directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones (item 11).

''..The comedy crew return with a mystical and magical, low budget film set to split your sides in a medieval fashion''

Video Clip: Rowan Atkinson's Johnny English trailer, directed by Peter Howitt (item 12).

''..The legend returns in a James Bond style comedy with a license to thrill''

[Lights brighten again]

Presenter: Today we are going to investigate the development of the slapstick comedy genre from the early 20th century to our present day and look at it's star's, comedians and legends. My focus film will be Norman Wisdom's the Early Bird which was Sir Norman's first comedy film in color, my first related film Rowan Atkinson's Johnny English and Monty Python's magical and mystical Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

First of all in the old time, when slapstick comedy would of been the most popular genre around most of the world with the likes of Charlie Chaplain, Norman Wisdom and others I would say that the period of this slapstick comedy was quite innocent. As it involved gags and jokes, unlike some comedies today which include a lot more violence, sexual scenes gone wrong and bad accidents.

We look at a scene from Norman Wisdom's The Early Bird for an example of the slapstick. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6BN-MFQ0qI&feature=related )

As we progress through time to the era of Monty Python Slap Stick comedy we find that the comedy start's to get a lot more violent, perhaps it is how the comedy developed over the years, or perhaps the comedy genre needed a new look. We are not sure why the comedy developed to become more violent and bloody.

We look at a fighting scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhRUe-gz690 )

Then as we get more to the modern day slapstick comedian's film's we find that they can get even more rude and violent. For example one of the fighting scene's from Johnny English which shows gun fight's between the actor's go wrong. This show's us the more modern day slapstick comedians. We can also see the sexual scene's through the film which you would not have had in a original slapstick film.

We look at the opening scene from Johnny English ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc8yCP_SbOU )

We also see how the slapstick comedy has developed through the internet, for example in the golden days of slapstick comedy we would not have seen a official website dedicated to a specific film such as Norman Wisdom's the Early Bird because the internet was not around back then. However nowadays most films including slapstick have official websites were fans can go and leave comments of what they liked and did not like and then if the developers and director want to improve on for a sequel they can see what the audience thought of the film by looking at the forum pages.

We then look at the official websites for Johnny English and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, there is no website for The Early Bird as the internet was not around then.

(MP - http://pythonline.com

JE - http://www.johnny-english.com/ )

We see a lot more sexually orientated scenes in slapstick comedies of today, however it would be very rare or never shown in the golden age of slapstick comedy, however in our more modern films like Johnny English and Monty Python and the Holy Grail it is a common theme in the movies today, as it is in most movies nowadays from the comedies to the actions.

Something that has stayed the same in the slapstick comedy genre is the type of actor we have to entertain us throughout the film. For example in all three film's Norman Wisdom, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson all act or look a little strange or goofy to keep up the laughter.

In some slapstick comedies you find comedy groups like Monty Python that all work together to write, direct and produce great and funny slapstick comedies, low budget of course. However in the past like in the time of Norman Wisdom's Early Bird it would of been a rare sight because the studio's would of payed for everything needed for the film, and make the actor's their 'property'.

Another point on how the slapstick comedy genre's today are similar in a way to the old fashioned ones are that in The Early Bird and in Johnny English the leading actress's are good looking girls for the goofy lead actor to fall in love with or marry at the end. Or used for some twisted comedic ending for the grand finale.

Slapstick comedy has also not changed in the way they usually have a male main character. I believe it is very rare to find a female main character in most films nowadays and in the past nevermind the slapstcik genre. Well there are no main character's that are involved in slapstick in my films. An example of this would be in Johnny English the female main character even though this is a comedy film is mainly used as a sort of femme fetal.

Some times there can become cult followings over a film or a actor in certain countries across the world for their comedic acts and feeling's the people feel towards the actor. For example Norman Wisdom developed a cult following in Albania because his film's were one of the only film's aloud to be shown in Albania at the time and the people loved them and in turn loved Norman Wisdom for his brilliant 'British Humor' Albanians claim to have a similar humor to the British and this is one of the reasons he is seen so high of. However more modern day film's like Johnny English acted by Rowan Atkinson do not seem to have cult followings or such.

A lot of comedies nowadays seem to be portrayed during a certain time and this is usually in the medieval time period’s around the world, mostly England during this time. For example Monty Python’s The Holy Grail is set in this period as is a series called ‘Black Adder’ which is acted by Rowan Atkinson set through periods of British history. However films during the golden age usually seemed to be set during the present time period, probably because there was a lot going on at the time and they could use this to their advantage.

So overall we discover that a lot of thing's such as theme's and such have changed over the years since the golden age of comedy, there is a little less self inflicted slap stick and a little more 'sex joke' slapstick in which involves the lead male and lead female. We have also initiated some thing's have stayed the same such as the main character's, their 'goofyness' and the way it is advertised and portrayed over the internet.

Investigation Title:

How British slapstick comedy has developed from the twentieth century to the present day.

Annotated Catalogue

Films: Item 1, Focus Film - Norman Wisdom's 'The Early Bird'.

I have chosen this film to be my focus film because it is set in the 20th century which is half of the question and it is one of the best examples for Slapstick Comedy and Slapstick actors such as Norman Wisdom. This film is reguarded as one of Norman Wisdoms best films so I think it will be a perfect example and source for my question. The movie at the time was a big hit, as it still is today to many old and new Norman Wisdom fans. The film's genre is comedy/slapstick and it really does fit the genre, these are the reasons why I think that this film choice was a good one made for my focus film. The plot is Norman Wisdom star's in this film as a milkman working for Mr Grimsdale's milk company upon who are rivaling a huge national milk delivering company, Norman get's into all type of bother attempting to win over the big-time company and make sure that Grimsdales survives.

Item 2, Related Film 1 - Rowan Atkinson 'Johnny English'

I have chosen this film for my related film because it is a type of Slapstick comedy and a modern day version of Slapstick comedy, this means I can compare the focus film to this example of Modern day slapstick. This film was shot in 2003, a brief summary of the movie is - Rowan plays the eponymous lead character in a spoof spy thriller. During the course of the story we follow our hero as he attempts to single-handedly save the country from falling into the hands of a despot. The film was quite popular at the time. Rowan Atkison is a huge British comedy actor who plays 'Johnny English' our hero and main protagonist throughout the film, all of these reasons are why I chose this film to be my first related film.

Item 3, Related Film 2 - Monty Python The Holy Grail

I have chosen Monty Python: The Holy Grail as my second related film because it is inbetween the time of Norman Wisdom's The Early Bird and Johnny English's modern day Johnny English. So I can compare it to both films and it can show if there has been any changes to the slapstick comedy genre. The film was very popular at the time and still is to this very day along with the rest of it's kind. The plot is The movie starts out with Arthur, King of the Britons, looking for knights to sit with him at Camelot. He finds many knights including Sir Galahad the pure, Sir Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot. They do not travel on horses, but pretend they do and have their servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse's hooves. Through satire of certain events in history (witch trials, the black plague) they find Camelot, but after literally a quick song and dance they decide that they do not want to go there. While walking away, God (who seems to be grumpy) come to them from a cloud and tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search. While they search for the Grail, scenes of the knight's tales appear and why they have the name they have. Throughout their search they meet interesting people and knights along the way. Most of the characters die; some through a killer rabbit (which they defeat with the holy hand grenade), others from not answering a question right from the bridge of Death, or die some other ridiculous way. In the end, King Arthur and Sir Bedevere are left and find the Castle Arrrghhh where the Holy Grail is. They are met by some French soldiers who taunted them earlier in the film, so they were not able to get into the castle. These are all the reasons that I chose the Holy Grail to be my second related film.

Internet:
Item 4 - Monty Python official Website ( http://pythonline.com/ )

I have chosen this website to be an item in my Presentation script because it holds relevant information on my investigation title which will be useful information for when it comes to my presentation script. Also because it is the official website I can trust it to give me correct information for my project and no bad or wrong information. Also the website could direct me to more information for my project with it being the official Monty Python website. It is also related to my related film 2 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'.

Item 5 - Norman Wisdom official Website ( http://www.normanwisdom.com/ )

I have chosen this website to be an item in my annotated catalogue because I believe it holds information I will need for my main focus film 'The Early Bird'. I also believe as it is the official website it could direct me to more information of slapstick comedy or any other relevant information for the twentieth century to the present day.

Item 6 - Johnny English official Website ( http://www.johnny-english.com/ )

I have chosen this official website because it is relevant for my related film of the slapstick comedy genre 'Johnny English'. I believe the website could hold or direct me to useful information for my project and therefore be useful to me in some ways. I believe that it will be relevant information as it is the official website of my related film.

Other: -----------------------
Item 7 - Norman Wisdom Internet biography ( http://www.normanwisdom.com/ )

I think that this (item 7) makes a relevant item to be used in my project because it is a link to the official video biography of Sir Norman Wisdom, which means it could do and probably does hold valuable and useful information on my project. It is also the official video biography so I know the information given to me is correct and will not steer me in the wrong direction.

Item 8 - Monty Python Internet biography ( http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/monty-python-biography/39beaef7e1e5432a48256eb10006d8e8 )

The official Monty Python Biography is my item number 8 and I am using it for this because I believe that the biography will be spot on and have plenty of information for my project. As it is the official biography I believe it will not give me and unofficial or wrong information so it will be useful to my project.

Item 9 - Rowan Atkinson Internet biography ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000100/bio )

The official Rowan Atkinson Internet biography tells us abit about his movies and the type of comedy he pursues in. I think that this biography is relevant because it gives me usefull information on how he developed his type of humor and who may have inspired him. It is also relevant because it relates to my focus film Johnny English which Rowan Atkinson stars in.

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Trailer's:

Item 10 -

( http://vimeo.com/1696478 )

The Early Bird - Norman Wisdom from Norman Wisdom on Vimeo.

This item is a video clip/trailer of The Early Bird starring Norman Wisdom which is my focus film. I think it is relevant because it shows is visually the kind of humor slapstick actually is and it will give us a sort of idea how it has changed since then.

Item 11 -

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDM75-oXGmQ&feature=player_embedded )

Item 11 is a trailer and video clip of the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail which is my related film. This clip will show us the kind of slapstick comedy of the present day and it will show us if it has actually changed since the 20th century. It will also demonstrate the comedy through the trailer with what to expect all the way through.

Item 12 -

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSg2tgnvtgY&feature=player_embedded )

This item is another video clip/trailer I have gotte to demonstrate the comedy of the movie Johnny English. It shows us the kind of slapstick comedy used in the film, and how it has developed through the trailer.

Reviews:

Mr Grimsdale !!!!!, 27 May 2002

Author: Davo123 from Derby, England

'The Early Bird' just has to be THE Norman Wisdom film. From the marvellous opening sequence, to the finale, there is not a single dull moment. Of all of his films, this has to be his most popular.

Norman plays a milkman for a local town dairy, his boss is the laid-back Mr. Grimsdale, superbly played by Edward Chapman. However, a large corporate dairy starts to muscle in on their patch, and Norman is soon pitted against a sneaky and unscrupulous Austin (Bryan Pringle). The laughs are soon flowing thick and fast as war develops.

In many ways this film symbolises the changing times of the '60s when the pace of life speeded up, aptly summarised by the quote 'You can't impede the wheels of progress' from the film. As always, Norman manages to save the day, and dispense his particular brand of common sense. In this film, though, his victory is more by default than judgement.

The film contains many classic moments, the sick horse, the apples, the 'shootout', the golf, the fire, and many more.

Finally, I have often wondered if Benny Hill got his inspiration for 'Ernie' from this film?

Definitely ***** out of *****

Interview:

Item 13 - Monty Python Director Terry Jones in Chicago

( http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/7695/interview-monty-pythons-terry-jones-to-appear-in-holy-grail-chicago-screening )

(Item 14) Norman Wisdom's My Turn.

This is a book about the comedy legend, it tells us from his child hood to his later years and about his movies and career.

Slap Stick Comedy

Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which exceed the boundaries of common sense. These exaggerated depictions are often found in children's cartoons, and light film comedies aimed at younger audiences. Slap stick comedy stars in the past were stars like Norman Wisdom, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.

20th Century Norman Wisdom.

My focus film for my star Norman Wisdom will be 'The Early Bird' - I will be analyzing how comedy as a genre has changed from the 'golden age' of comedy to the present day. We will see how Norman Wisdom's style of comedy has changed compared to some one like Jim Carrey.

The Early Bird -

Dumb and Dumber -

Norman Wisdom

Norman Wisdom is a star from the Golden Age of film, he starred in many films and mainly was a star of Comedy.

Some of his best work was shot in technicolor for example 'The Early Bird' which is a film about a small milk distribution company threatened by the larger companies, Norman attempts to save the firm and his job.

Websites -

http://classictv.goshopper.net/c/63825/comedy.htm

http://www.normanwisdom.co.uk/

Books -