Open Thread Redux — Best Movie Laugh
Since we moved from Movable Type to WordPress, we lost the comments to a number of our posts. Some good threads, alas, have been lost to posterity. I am particularly saddened by the disappearance of the responses to my queries on such silver screen-related topics as favorite movie villain or favorite movie laugh. And given that I rediscovered that one today while searching for another post, I’ve decided to ask the question again — What, in your opinion, is the best movie laugh?
As per Bridget Johnson‘s (AKA GOP Vixen) suggestion at the time, you may also weigh in with your favorite laugh from a TV show.
As per my original post, I always thought Walter Huston‘s laugh at the end of his son John‘s movie, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, the laugh which makes the movie and secured the elder Huston’s Oscar, is the best movie laugh there is — at least in the flics I’ve seen. So, once again, today’s open thread, what in your opinion is the best on-screen laugh?
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One of my favorites and the first one that comes to mind:
Barbara Billinglsey (of Leave it to Beaver fame) in the movie “Airplane” telling to two distressed black male passengers (who are having trouble being understood) “I speak jive”.
Comment by JimG — April 9, 2007 @ 12:36 am - April 9, 2007
Movie: Billy, do you like movies about gladiators? -Capt. Oveur, Airplane
TV: She made me eat her hair pie! -Brian referring to Meg, Family Guy
Comment by ThatGayConservative — April 9, 2007 @ 6:49 am - April 9, 2007
The most disgusting line in South park the movie:
Find the Clitoris!
Comment by Vince P — April 9, 2007 @ 6:50 am - April 9, 2007
You could probably take the whole Airplane movie and any quote from it, would fit this catagory. As spoof movies go, it is probably one of the best.
I still quote lines from the movie without really thinking about it-”There’s a Sale at Penny’s” is one of them, because there is always a sale at Penny’s.
Comment by just me — April 9, 2007 @ 7:25 am - April 9, 2007
I may have read this wrong, but I thought Dan was asking for the best ‘laugh,’ and not the best joke. A laugh being that asthmatic horse-like sound Eddie Murphy makes in Beverly Hills Cop, a joke being Steve Martin in The Man with Two Brains saying “I can’t f**k a gorilla.”
My initial thought for best laugh would be Tom Hulce in Amadeus. (Why am I stuck on old eighties movies this morning?) I could probably do better if I thought about it.
Comment by V the K — April 9, 2007 @ 8:33 am - April 9, 2007
That’s a tough question, Dan….I’m nto sure I ever really notice the laugh in movies. I’ll have to mull over this one today.
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 8:52 am - April 9, 2007
Funny, but before I read the comments I thought of the movie AIRPLANE and the scenes mentioned above. The scenes are not as funny on DVD but when they were in the movies–for the first time–the scenes were gut busting. The entire audience was falling apart. The innocence of not knowing what was coming in that film made it incredible.
Comment by Kevin Norte — April 9, 2007 @ 8:56 am - April 9, 2007
Speaking of “Airplane!”, I saw it again this weekend on Comedy Central and it still cracks me up. The best laughs come from the sight gags, like the label on the airport magazine stand that says “Whacking Material,” or the El Al plane taking off with the yarmulka.
Okay – here are my nominees:
Best Laugh In A Movie – Has to be Bette Davis’ dinner scene in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” The most macabre laugh in movie history – you felt you had to appreciate it or she’d kill you.
Best Laugh On TV – John Amos on “Good Times.” No question. (HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH!)
The runner-up is when Esther Rolle sarcastically mocks him in the infamous “JJ Paints the Wiggler” episode.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 9, 2007 @ 10:08 am - April 9, 2007
Louis’ laugh from Revenge of the Nerds is still heard in my company’s IT dept. I can’t believe that movie is 23 years old.
And then of course Joker’s last laugh in Tim Burton’s Batman is my sister’s cell phone ring tone…I wish I thought of that…
Comment by keogh — April 9, 2007 @ 10:45 am - April 9, 2007
Oh, I’d have to second the Joker’s laugh – maybe as best maniacal laugh. Creepy, that.
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 10:56 am - April 9, 2007
I third that. I had completely forgotten about that one.
Also, the original “Batman” has the best movie scream by Jerry Hall. Beats Janet Leigh’s from “Psycho” by a mile.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 9, 2007 @ 11:45 am - April 9, 2007
No way. Best Movie Scream is Siryn’s (Theresa Rourke Cassidy) in X-Men 2.
Comment by V the K — April 9, 2007 @ 12:31 pm - April 9, 2007
Slightly o/t, but I noticed the sidebar on the GP home page:
Has anyone else seen the first two episodes of “The Tudors” yet? I caught both of them and WOW, they were good. Especially the hunk who plays Henry VIII. (The writers must be gay – they find an excuse to have him shirtless at least half the time…)
And yes, believe it or not, in his day (before his jousting accident during his second marriage), ol’ Bluff King Harry was “the golden prince of Christendom.” This was before he became a fat wife-killing tyrant.
Being a devotee of the English Renaissance period, I’m not too thrilled at how they take liberties with the storyline (such as their treatment of Katherine of Aragon), but nonetheless a good show.
Comments?
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 9, 2007 @ 3:06 pm - April 9, 2007
Peter, I don’t subscribe to Showtime any more, but I wish I did! I’m perfectly willing to admit that I would watch that show for no other reason but the completely shallow goal of seeing Jonathan Rhys Meyers (sp? – The young Henry VIII) shirtless. I’d watch that man do dishes. Nekkid, of course.
I have heard from friends that the show is pretty good, which doesn’t surprise me. I’ve long thought much of the best writing on television is on the premium channels (usually HBO – The Sopranos, Carnivale, Rome). But alas I only have a couple hours each week to watch TV, so I’m sticking to basic cable until school is done in a couple of years.
And now back to our topic…
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 4:00 pm - April 9, 2007
Dan, I agree with VdaK… Detective Axel Foley’s laugh is great and it’s infective like a great work of art… you can’t help but be affected and smile.
Granted, it’s not the most sinister or pathetic or manical or soulful laugh, just the best laugh on film to date.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — April 9, 2007 @ 4:27 pm - April 9, 2007
Mike – Jonathan Rhys-Myers could read the London phone book on TV while naked and I’d still watch!
That wrestling scene with Francois I of France (based on a true account) was worth TiVoing.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 9, 2007 @ 4:59 pm - April 9, 2007
#13, #14 If you Google (love when a trademark becomes a verb) Rhys Meyers images, you’ll see a pic of him showing his pubes. Very hot.
Best male laughs:
1. The military captain (?) in 28 Days Later who orders the women to put on dresses before they are raped.
2. Cameron (Alan Ruck) snickering in the restaurant while having lunch with the Sausage King of Chicago in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
3. The uneasy, nervous laughter shared by the two men while drinking together in Picnic At Hanging Rock. This is the most disturbing movie I’ve ever seen.
Best female laughs:
1. Myra (Dyan Cannon) in Deathtrap.
2. Chastity Pariah (Edie McClurg) giggling in Elvira, Mistress of the Dark after asking “Is this face taken?”
3. The chorus of cackling during the convention at the hotel in The Witches.
Best cartoon laugh: Mumbly. (I think that’s his name. The dog with the whiny, wheezy laugh and goes around solving crimes with his partner Schnooker.)
Comment by HardHobbit — April 9, 2007 @ 5:05 pm - April 9, 2007
I would also add the cackle of the Voodoo Priest in Live and Let Die.
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 5:52 pm - April 9, 2007
I dont have TV.. who is this person?
Comment by Vince P — April 9, 2007 @ 7:56 pm - April 9, 2007
Vince, I assume your question refers to Jonathan Rhys Meyers that Peter and I were talking about?
He is the star of the new Showtime series “The Tudors” – plays a young Henry VIII. If you’re a movie buff, you might know him from the lead role in Match Point, opposite Scarlett Johanssen (sp?) or as the soccer coach in Bend It Like Beckham.
He’s quite hot. But he’s also a pretty good actor.
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 8:18 pm - April 9, 2007
I think I am officially old™. I dont know any of those references.
Comment by Vince P — April 9, 2007 @ 8:44 pm - April 9, 2007
Nah, you’re not old Vince. I can’t keep up with all the movies I’d like to see either. I do recommend both of those though…they are very good. MHO of course.
BTW, love the TM superscript on “old”….made me chuckle. I’ll have to learn the HTML for that.
Comment by Mike — April 9, 2007 @ 8:47 pm - April 9, 2007
17: I think the guy in 28 Days Later was Christopher Eccleston, now best known for playing The Doctor in the first series of the new Doctor Who on BBC. (with a few gay/bi overtones thanks to actor John Barrowman and writer/producer Russell T. Davies of “Queer as Folk” fame)
Comment by Kevin — April 9, 2007 @ 9:26 pm - April 9, 2007
Um… Dr. Evil in Austin Powers?
Evil laugh, does he even say “laugh with me?” And they don’t cut until it goes on a bit too long and everyone sort of awkwardly trails off…
It was the only movie laugh I could think of.
Comment by Synova — April 10, 2007 @ 1:06 am - April 10, 2007
How about the best laugh running on TV today?
Conservatives watching the liberal Don Imus get outed as a racist bigot. Is that rich or what? LOL.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — April 10, 2007 @ 7:27 am - April 10, 2007
Cape Fear – when De Niro’s Max Cady is bustin’ a gut in the movie theater. Good times!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 10:38 am - April 10, 2007
Michigan-Matt – what’s even funnier are black supremists (like Sharpton and Jackson) never being held accountable for anything they say/do (like Sharpton and Jackson). Now, THAT’S comedy – nyuk nyuk nyuk!!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 10:42 am - April 10, 2007
Liberal Don Imus?
I think he fit best under the label libertarian.
He will slam repubs and libs and I he has publicly supported libertarian, democrat and republican candidates.
I don’t think your liberal tag works here…Sorry.
Comment by keogh — April 10, 2007 @ 11:27 am - April 10, 2007
No, 401k, I think we can safely say that Imus is very much anti-Republican and anti-conservative.
Nice try.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 10, 2007 @ 11:53 am - April 10, 2007
Getting back to fun laughs – I also like Gene Wilder’s in “Young Dr. Frankenstein.” (“That’s pronounced FRAHNK-en-steen.”)
Also – anyone remember Robin Williams’ laugh as Mork on “Mork and Mindy?” (“AAAH AAAH AAAH AAAH!”)
Ah, the 1970s.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 10, 2007 @ 12:57 pm - April 10, 2007
MM: What do you mean by this:
Conservatives watching the liberal Don Imus get outed as a racist bigot. Is that rich or what? LOL.
I have no idea what you’re trying to say.. Conservatives watch Don Imus get outed… um.. all people are watching Don get outed.. what is significant ?
Comment by Vince P — April 10, 2007 @ 1:28 pm - April 10, 2007
Vince P: I think MM was being crass. I think he was trying to say it was about time a liberal (or what he thinks is a liberal) was taken to task for making stupid remarks. God knows, they never have to be accountable for anything else they say or do. I may be wrong, but it’s what I got from his post.
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 1:52 pm - April 10, 2007
1. “It’s the Staypuff Marshmallow Man” in GHOSTBUSTERS
2. “Who does No. 2 work for!?” in AUSTIN POWERS
3. “A strange man defecated on my sister” in CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
Comment by Craigt — April 10, 2007 @ 1:57 pm - April 10, 2007
Ok, is this thread about how characters in movies are funny in how THEY laugh. OR, is about scenes or lines in movies that make US laugh? Please clarify!!!!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 2:07 pm - April 10, 2007
Methinks it’s about how the characters laugh.
And in that vein, I’d add a classic – the laugh of the Wicked Witch of the West.
(Does that reference officially mark me as a “Friend of Dorothy”? Yes? Okay, I can live with that.)
Comment by Mike — April 10, 2007 @ 2:56 pm - April 10, 2007
LOL!!! Not really, Mike. Think about it – the “WWW” was definitely no friend of Dorothy’s!! So, you’re safe!!
Thanks for the explanation, btw!!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 3:15 pm - April 10, 2007
Vince P, LCN nailed my meaning in the explanation.
And LCN, I agree –black bigots never, ever get nailed unless it’s someone ultra-extreme like LouisFarakhan… and then only when he goes anti-Jew… dis’ing on the whiteys is ok by the liberals.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — April 10, 2007 @ 3:17 pm - April 10, 2007
(Sorry LNC about the reversal of inits) My badd.
Comment by Michigan-Matt — April 10, 2007 @ 3:18 pm - April 10, 2007
MM – YOU BADD ALRIGHT!!!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 3:46 pm - April 10, 2007
Mike, it’s not so much watching “The Wizard of Oz” that makes you a FOD (Friend of Dorothy). There are some telltale signs as well:
1. You enjoy dressing up as either Glinda or the WWW – even down to employing the Billie Burke “trill” or Margaret Hamilton “cackle” to complete the effect.
2. You can quote entire scenes line-by-line, in the correct order.
3. You know all of the songs by heart – even down to the incidental music between scenes.
4. Your life is not complete unless you have a pair of custom-made ruby slippers somewhere in your home. Or, if you are rich enough, have purchased one of the many pairs used in the original 1939 epic, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you have completed all of the above, you are a FOD.
If you have done all of the above and don’t think it’s crazy, you are in need of professional help.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 10, 2007 @ 4:32 pm - April 10, 2007
Peter H – you are out of control!! I love it!!!
Comment by LesbianNeoCon — April 10, 2007 @ 4:40 pm - April 10, 2007
Thanks, LNC.
Unfortunately, I have some friends who fall into the first 3 signs. You should see them at Halloween parties!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 10, 2007 @ 5:08 pm - April 10, 2007
*whew* I don’t even own a copy of the movie. I think I’m safe.
I’m as queer as a three dollar bill, but I couldn’t quote too many of the movie’s lines. LOL.
Comment by Mike — April 10, 2007 @ 7:40 pm - April 10, 2007
Best laugh. That’s easy. Jack Lemmon as Professor Fate in “The Great Race”. Second best; Jack Lemmon as Prince Rupert Hapnik in the same film.
Comment by Andre — April 10, 2007 @ 8:13 pm - April 10, 2007
Anytime Elizabeth Taylor laughs in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? particularly, if I remember correctly, during the opening credits and later “Oh George, what a cluck you are”.
And not to forget “Garbo Laughs” in Ninotchka.
And how about Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in the lobster pot sequence in Annie Hall. Their laughter was so spontaneous that if it was merely acting they both deserved awards for their conviction and if it was truly impovisitory and spontaneous, even more so. I can never watch it without a big smile on my face.
And then some long dormant inner queen in me is always tickled by the laughter of Maleficent in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.
Comment by P. Craig Russell — April 11, 2007 @ 1:57 am - April 11, 2007
Andre is right – the Prince in The Great Race wins hands down.
Mike – perhaps you are a GWTW queen rather then a FOD. The two seldom intersect.
Comment by andrewdb — April 11, 2007 @ 9:08 pm - April 11, 2007
Hey andrewdb, you can only be a GWTW queen if:
(a) You live in the South (and unlike Joe Biden, I don’t consider Delaware part of the “South” because I’m not trolling for votes).
(b) You use the words “fiddle-dee-dee,” “hissy-fit,” “y’all” (or “youall” if you are in the Lowcountry), or “as God as my witness” on a regular basis.
(c) Everyone else is jealous of how you look and how many men you can attract.
(d) You can create a stunning wardrobe from your mother’s drapery.
We Southerners are a proud lot. Of course, it’s because of our great food, good-looking men and women, great football teams and way of life…so forgive us if we seem full of ourselves. But I’ve just listed the reasons why.
Now, excuse me whilst I freshen up my julep.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 12, 2007 @ 11:14 am - April 12, 2007
Hmmm…..let me take stock.
a) Don’t live in the south. Yankee born and bred, but I do have a BIG soft spot in my heart for Georgia, especially Augusta and Savannah, having lived there and met my better half there…
b) I use “y’all” and “youall” all the time actually…
c) Don’t I wish this one were true…
d) Doesn’t apply I’m afraid – I only sew buttons. Does it help if my favorite Carol Burnett skit of all time is the spoof on GWTW where she comes down the stairs wearing the drapery with the curtain rod still in it?
I admire your taste, Peter….is there an extra chair on your porch that I might join you for a spell?
Comment by Mike — April 12, 2007 @ 3:38 pm - April 12, 2007
Mike, you are more that welcome to “set a spell” with me either out front or on the patio (this is Texas, after all). Our neighbors to the east in Louisiana call it “the courtyard.”
The Carol Burnett sketch (“Went with the Wind”) is one of my all-time favorites. The lines are hysterical:
HARVEY: “Scarlett, that gown is gorgeous.”
CAROL: “Thank you. I saw it hanging in the window and I just couldn’t resist.”
The only other sketch that has me in hysterics is the “Mama’s Family” sketch where Tim Conway goes on an ad-lib rant about siamese elephants. That one is classic!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 12, 2007 @ 6:01 pm - April 12, 2007
Just thought of another GREAT laugh: Grace Jones in Conan the Destroyer.
Comment by HardHobbit — April 12, 2007 @ 6:29 pm - April 12, 2007
Peter,
How about (e) You don’t know nothin’ about birthin’ babies!
Comment by Andre — April 14, 2007 @ 3:38 pm - April 14, 2007
Peter,
My favorite Carol Burnett Show skit (among many) is where she portrays a recovering kleptomaniac. When I laugh, it’s usually a chuckle, but that performance incites a belly laugh. I also love the one in which she is describing to the reporter (Harvey) that her husband has been kidnapped.
My favorite Mama’s Family episode is the one where Mama gets clocked with a stock pot and the show turns into three short skits describing the events from the points of view of Eunice, Ellen, and Naomi.
Comment by HardHobbit — April 14, 2007 @ 8:59 pm - April 14, 2007
#51 – Andre, that line was by Prissy (Butterfly McQueen), not by Scarlett. Just FYI. Scarlett’s line was “I’ll never go hungry again!”
Incidentally, you must remember that the Depression hit the South harder than the rest of the country. People actually did starve to death and would eat anything (possum, squirrel, rabbit) they could get their hands on. That’s a reason why we serve such big meals in the South. When Scarlett said “I’ll never go hungry again,” she wasn’t kidding.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 15, 2007 @ 7:18 pm - April 15, 2007
HH, the Tim Conway sketch I cited was actually on the Carol Burnett Show in what was then called the “Family sketch,” but later became the “Mama’s Family sketch,” hence the spinoff in the 1980s.
The “siamese elephants” rant that Tim went on had everyone – Vicki, Carol, and guest star Dick Van Dyke – practically on the floor. It is one of the best blooper segments ever captured on film. At the end, Vicki (as Mama) gets the last word.
And speaking of which – my favorite TV episode of “Mama’s Family” was when they appeared on Family Feud with Richard Dawson. Classic.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 15, 2007 @ 7:21 pm - April 15, 2007
Name the movie:
(If you’re a traitorious lying 5th columnist lefty, try not to cheat (just joking))
It’s a matter of life after death, now that he’s dead I have a life.
—-
How many husbands have you had?
Mine or other women’s?
Yours.
Five.
Five?
Yes, just the five. Husbands should be like Kleenex: soft strong and disposable.
You lure men to their deaths like a spider with flies.
Flies are where men are most vulnerable.
Right!
–
Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage
Comment by Vince P — April 15, 2007 @ 7:35 pm - April 15, 2007
“They have a flood of lakes and rafting so they have a camp summer youth
summer horse camp torrent of important swimwear stores there,” same Gines, who can’t fancy not improvement in. Attack is device to her designs, created under the eponym Chelsea Gines for Pualani, a antipruritic swimwear institution known for its curve-hugging four-way slack fabrics.
Comment by Summerrrrrmannn — August 31, 2007 @ 5:43 pm - August 31, 2007
I know this is kinda random but i just want to throw it out ther that the new show American Gladiators is pretty legit! I think its so damn entertaining, and the contestants are soooooo hott. I would just swallow OLGA whole
Comment by HappyToday — June 8, 2008 @ 5:00 pm - June 8, 2008