plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 03:28:58 PM
When I get stressed, I turn to books and videos to make me laugh. Right now, my list includes a book of short stories by Jean Shepherd and some audio tapes of the radio show he hosted for many years. I'm also re-reading Patrick Dennis novels and so far this week's videos have included "Make Mine Mink", "It's A Gift" and "The Producers".
But I'm running out of known works and need to begin a new list. Got a favorite funny (preferably laugh-out-loud funny) book and/or movie to recommend? Please do so...
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Muriel
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posted on September 30, 2001 03:34:15 PM
"Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York".  Really - it was written way before September 11th.
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snowyegret
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posted on September 30, 2001 03:40:53 PM
Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She?
by Molly Ivins
LOL Funny? Oh yes. 
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Blazing Saddles
The Gods Must Be Crazy
They all do it for me.
Had to add Marx Bros movies
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
[ edited by snowyegret on Sep 30, 2001 03:42 PM ]
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hepburn
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posted on September 30, 2001 03:49:54 PM
The Gods Must be Crazy, part Two. (LOL funny...especially the water tank scene )
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 03:58:06 PM
Oh, Muriel, I remember reading Sheila Levine when it came out! Thanks for that reminder
Snowyegret, I adore Molly Ivins and am happy that I haven't yet read her book, for now I surely shall. (Say that five times fast, heh... )
Agree on all the movies..
Hepburn, haven't seen Gods/Crazy Two -- thanks for the tip!
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snowyegret
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posted on September 30, 2001 04:26:29 PM
Plsmith, Molly also has a newer one out called Shrub.
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
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toke
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posted on September 30, 2001 04:27:32 PM
For pure hilarious foolishness I like the movie, "The In-Laws," starring Alan Arkin and Peter Falk. Old, but still funny.
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 04:34:57 PM
Snowyegret, I'm so glad you mentioned Molly Ivins. The San Francisco Chronicle does not carry her column regularly and I forget how much i enjoy her one-eye-closed, one-eye-on-her-next-shot humor -- not to mention her rather amazing knack for delving into the dastardly side of Texas. (You'd think those old boys would catch on and bar her at the door, no?) 
Toke, a recommendation from you I'll take on blind faith
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:25:22 PM
Humorous novels (except for the first one, you'll have to go to a library as they're out of print):
Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh
Mark One: The Dummy by John Ball
Mrs. Searwood's Secret Weapon by Leonard Wibberly
Hoffman by Ernst Gebler
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:30:14 PM
Thanks, Bunnicula! Never heard of any of them -- and that's always a good sign
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:36:44 PM
Forgot one of my favorites:
The Innocent Eve by Robert Nathan (also OP, so check library)
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:40:33 PM
Whatsumatta U? I'm checkin' eBay first!
Thanks for the many titles, Bunnicula.
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:49:28 PM
plsmith: unfortunately the last 4 titles I gave you are "out of the way" ones. You won't find them on eBay at this moment.
However, check www.bookfinder.com -- all but Mrs. Searwood's Secret Weapon are listed there, & at very reasonable prices.
edited for UBB...
[ edited by bunnicula on Sep 30, 2001 05:59 PM ]
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:52:14 PM
Extra thanks, Bunnicula, for routing them out for me! (But don't groan if, a couple months from now, I demand a book discussion here.)
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 05:59:06 PM
Humorous movies:
Partners
Murder By Death
Yolanda and the Thief
Airplane
Arsenic & Old Lace
Analyze This
Weekend at Bernie's
That Touch of Mink
Support Your Local Sheriff
Young Frankenstein
A Fish Called Wanda
The Addam's Family
The Ref
The Full Monty
Animal Crackers
Some Like It Hot
Meet the Parents
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
Just to name a few of my favorites
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 06:25:50 PM
Don't know some of those titles, Bunnicula, but I can certainly see (don't faint!) similarities in our humor affinities. HAVE you ever seen Make Mine Mink or It's A Gift? They are both delightful (and relatively hard to find). I'd be happy to start a "laugh-exchange" with you if you're up to it. (Meaning, I send you books/videos, you do the same, and we return them after reading/viewing.) This goes for anyone else who's willing to participate in a spontaneous "lending library" sort of venture here at AW...
(Is that too extreme an idea for us wily online auction folks? Is it too extreme an idea for just you, Bunnicula? It's okay if it is... I know none of us trust each other, and yet I know so many of us could be relied upon for damn near anything...)
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 07:04:58 PM
I'd certainly be willing, if you give your oath in blood that I'd get my books/movies *back.* For a couple of those books it took me literally 10-15 years to get my own copies (this was in the pre-Internet, pre-eBay, pre-Bookfinder days).
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 07:07:40 PM
Yes, I have seen Make Mine Mink and It's a Gift. Enjoyed them both.
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plsmith
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posted on September 30, 2001 07:23:12 PM
Cross my heart and hope to spit! What are ya interested in, movie/bookwise? I have everything from what it would take to earn a law degree (books) to bootlegged copies of the TV series, THRILLER.
Email me when ya get the chance, Bunnicula. [email protected]
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 07:42:29 PM
plsmith: click on my ID to get my email addy. You wouldn't happen to have either the book or movie version of The Extraordinary Seaman" would you? Saw the film as a teen & have wanted to get my hands on the book.
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bunnicula
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posted on September 30, 2001 07:44:23 PM
Anybody here an Alec Guinness fan? I have quite a few of his films. Two of my favorites are The Card and Last Holiday.
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immykidsmom
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posted on September 30, 2001 08:07:38 PM
all of the Pink Panther movies, starring Peter Sellers!
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oddish4
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posted on September 30, 2001 10:56:00 PM
Tommyboy ~ Good for really stupid humor
The Man Who Knew Too Little with Bill Murray~ Too funny this movie.
Oddish~ The Odd One
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joycel
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posted on October 1, 2001 07:43:42 AM
"Vacation" with Chevy chase (The one where they go to Wally World and tie a deceased Aunt Edna to the top of the car.)
Or "Christmas Vacation" where Chevy is trying to put Christmas lights on his house amidst visiting odd-ball relatives.
I didn't like "European Vacation" or "Las Vegas Vacation" though. They weren't nearly as funny.
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uaru
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posted on October 1, 2001 07:54:11 AM
The Marx Brothers, I've always been able to use them as a hidding place.
One of my favorite Woody Allen movies is "Hannah and Her Sisters" there is a great part in the movie where Woody goes into a theater after he botched a suicide attempt and the movie is playing the Marx Brother's "Duck Soup."
Woody's narration about life and death while the Marx Brothers movie is playing has never left me. I think of that often.
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