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AFI's 100 Years, 100 Laughs
A Review by Techtite
In June (2000), CBS aired a special event, showcasing the American Film
Institute's choices for the best 100 comedies of all time. This
was a very painstakingly chosen list, of films that were first
cut down to a mere 500 nominees, as chosen by the AFI itself.
They then invited a "jury" of no less than 1800 members
of the film industry --including actors, directors, writers,
and critics-- to choose the top 100. This special, 3 hours in
length, is the result...for better or worse.
I admit, It's hard to argue with the opinion of 1,800 "movie
experts." On the other hand, when so many great, classic
comedies were snubbed, you wonder if there wasn't a fly in the
ointment somewhere, or perhaps a bug in the computer hard drive.
As much as I liked Some Like it Hot(#1) and Tootsie(#2),
there's something amis when the two "best comedies of all
time" include no less than three men wearing dresses. While
it's understandable that Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers,
and Woody Allen are on the list, I don't appreciate them mentioned
on the list over and over again --even their so-so comedies--
given how many other classic comedies were snubbed. Modern directors
like Ron Howard and John Hughs are snubbed completely, no matter
how many timeless comedies they helped create. Seriously, is
Woody Allen's Sleeper more classic than Ron Howard's
Splash, Coccoon, and Night
Shift? Nope.
Fortunately, the whole list isn't questionable. Yes, there
are indeed many comedies on the list, that are timeless, funny,
and a major slice of Americana in film (allegedly, the three
major requirements for each nominee). Singing in the Rain(ranked
at #16) is indeed timeless. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
(#40) --often imitated, never duplicated-- is another fine choice.
Even When Harry Met Sally (#23) deserves a "classic
comedy" nod, if only because of Meg Ryan's unforgettable
scene in a coffee shop. Other personal faves on the list include
What's Up, Doc? and BeetleJuice,
as well as a few others, mentioned elsewhere on this page (I'd
rather not repeat myself)...
If anything, it's the ranks of these films that are
the most askew. Fargo is only on the list at #93,
while Airplane lists at #10; how peculiar is that?
Timeless 70's and 80's slapstick like Animal House(#36),
Caddyshack(#71), and Fast Times at Ridgemont
High(#87) have to take a backseat to...Groundhog
Day, ranked at #34?!? For that matter,
while There's Something About Mary(#27) was a cult
hit, you can never tell me that it's better than Fargo,
Animal House, and even Ghostbusters(#28).
Get real.
 There's
not much more to say, aside from what I've said elsewhere; I've
composed a list of my own: IMHO, The
Top 25 Comedies Snubbed by the AFI. In their defense,
these films were indeed among the 500 finalists. IMO, these choices
should have equally been on the final list, of Top 100.
After all, if Airplane! is a "classic,"
why isn't just about everything else?
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All text, Title graphics,
and pix not of reviewed product, are created by TECHtite, copyright
2000; all rights reserved. "AFI 100 Best" image created
by Techtite's graphics department, and is used only for the purpose
of review here; no affiliation with AFI is meant or implied.
For further "legalese" & disclaimers, click
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