Merriam-Webster defines “old-school” as “characteristic of an earlier or original style, manner, or form.” I would then classify the best old-school comedies of all time as being those that don’t always meet today’s more politically correct nature. They might be a bit more risque or contain slapstick humor. They may be culturally or racially insensitive during some scenes. I’ve seen a lot of positive change over the years, and for that I’m thankful, but I can’t punish a movie for having been created in a different era. All of that is going through my head as I choose the movies on this list.
If I go back to the earliest comedy movies I remember seeing, two movies come to mind. “The Apple Dumpling Gang” was a movie IBM showed during a family day event, back when they held them. It was a little slapstick at times, but Tim Conway and Don Knotts were a fantastic comedic team. “Porky’s” is the other. When there was no internet, information on what a movie was about came down to newspaper ads and write-ups. My dad had no idea what he was taking his 10- and 14-year-old kids to see, and he was mortified that he’d brought me to it. I won’t argue that some of the scenes were not appropriate for me and even went over my head as a kid, but others were hilarious.
My tastes have changed a lot over the years, but my 20 picks for the best old-school comedies are movies and TV shows that I watch time and time again. They’re in alphabetical order. (Check out The Funniest Movie Lines Ever Written-And Delivered while you’re learning about the best classic comedies.)
Airplane! (1980)
Some big names appeared in this satire of airplane disaster movies. Leslie Nielsen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even Robert Stack of “Unsolved Mysteries” fame are in it. Former fighter pilot Striker (Robert Hays) boards a domestic flight in hopes of winning his former flame back. Only, all of the flight staff end up with food poisoning and Striker must safely land the plane. Sight gags are just one of the movie’s strengths.
All In the Family (1971 to 1979)
Archie Bunker is a laborer and head of the household that includes his wife Edith, daughter Gloria, and her husband Mike, aka “Meathead.” Archie is racist and bigoted compared to his very liberal daughter and son-in-law. Meanwhile, Edith just wants everyone to get along. Some of the things Archie says may have been acceptable in the 1970s, but now they’re offensive and brash. Watch season eight’s “Edith’s 50th Birthday: Part 2” for proof of just how compassionate Archie was deep down.
The Apartment (196o)
Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine starred in this comedy about an insurance agent who aims to get his long-overdue promotion by loaning his apartment out to various company executives. They’re all having affairs and Lemmon’s apartment is the perfect spot for a tryst. It’s a comedy-drama mashup with a good dose of romantic comedy between Lemmon and MacLaine. It’s a 5x Oscar award-winner for good reason.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
My parents used to take us to a summer theater program, and “Arsenic and Old Lace” is one of the first productions I remember seeing. I loved it. The movie stars Cary Grant, a writer who learns his two sweet aunts are serial killers, and they’ve murdered many old men. That’s just the first of the secrets the family is hiding. Deadpan facial expressions do a lot to add to the humor in this black comedy.
Barney Miller (1975 to 1982)
Captain Miller (Hal Linden) leads the NYPD’s 12th precinct dealing with local problem makers including my favorite, the man who is convinced he’s a werewolf. If you only ever watch one episode of this award-winning series, find season three’s “Hash.” In this episode, Detective Wojo’s girlfriend makes the crew a pan of brownies, only they’re special brownies that have the force high as kites while trying to do their jobs. The dialogue and character relationships make this show a fantastic classic comedy TV show.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
A greedy state’s attorney general is after the land to expand the railroad, but the town of Rock Ridge is in his way. He plans to get his crew of baddies to make the town impossible to live in. He convinces the governor to appoint a Black man who was about to be hanged to be the new sheriff, figuring he’ll be such a distasteful selection that townspeople will flee. Only, the new sheriff is smarter than expected. The classic comedy movie ended up with three Oscar nominations and won a Writer’s Guild of America for the writing.
The Bugs Bunny Show (1960 to 1975)
Once upon a time, cartoons were something kids only watched on Saturday mornings. Bugs Bunny and his friends could be slapstick, comically graphic (think Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote scenes with TNT and anvils), and incredibly endearing. They also helped pave the way for future cartoons like “Tiny Toon Adventures” and “Animaniacs.”
The Carol Burnett Show (1967 to 1978)
This is the first TV show that came to mind for the best old-school comedies. Pairing Burnett with regulars Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Vicki Lawrence was comedy dynamite. They were short comedy sketches, and one led to the spin-off “Mama’s Family.” The comedic timing and improv work were exceptional.
City Lights (1931)
Silent films can seem unusual to today’s movie watchers. Actors relied on physical comedy and facial expressions instead of dialogue. Charles Chaplin was one of the best, and his work in “City Lights” proves it. He plays a destitute man who strikes up a friendship with a wealthy man. When Chaplin falls for a blind woman, his friendship with the millionaire allows him to offer to pay for the blind woman’s surgery to restore her vision.
Ghostbusters (1984)
While this is a more modern movie, it’s 40 years old, which makes it a classic for some generations. In the movie, three doctors lose their university funding and set up a ghost removal business, which leads to much more business than expected. “Ghostbusters” popularity spans decades. The visual effects were stunning and landed an Oscar nomination. It also earned a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.”
Home Alone (1990)
I’m also including this more recent movie in the list. It’s a John Hughes film and deserves a spot. Kevin’s family leaves for Christmas vacation and accidentally leaves him behind. He’s home alone when a pair of burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) break in. Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) opts to build a variety of booby traps to stop them. The comedy focuses heavily on physical comedy and witty dialogue.
It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)
My dad loved this movie and watched it over and over. It took a bit longer for me to understand his delight with it, but as an adult, it’s hilarious and packed with wacky race scenes. Recently released from prison, Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante) crashes his car. His dying words to the drivers trying to help him are that he’s hidden cash in the mountains. They set off on a race to be the first to get the cash.
M*A*S*H (1972 to 1983)
I rewatch this show over and over, and while it’s a TV comedy, it’s also touching and emotional. It started as a movie, but the TV show became even more successful. It explores the lives of several Army surgeons and doctors in the middle of the Korean War. Despite the brutality of war, they rely on humor to ease the stress.
Modern Times (1936)
Charlie Chaplin’s “part-talkie” comedy crossed a silent film with the changing trend of movies with dialogue. He wrote the script. It’s honored as being one of the first movies chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry. In it, Chaplin’s famous character “Little Tramp” struggles to make it in the modern world after being seriously injured in a factory job, but the help of a young homeless woman will get him through all of the troubles that lie ahead.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
If there is one movie that was played almost weekly in my home growing up and also after I married, it’s “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” My siblings and husband adore this movie and all of the satirical humor and sketch comedy. John Cleese’s “Just a flesh wound” line in the battle scene is one of many lines that get quoted around our house. I’ve taken a big liking to the Broadway musical version and recommend that, too.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
In this movie, an heiress approaches a homeless man offering him $5 to help her check off one of the items on her scavenger hunt list. He refuses but agrees to help the heiress’s younger sister instead, and she hires him to become the family butler. It’s the shower scene where I can’t help but snicker. The six Oscar nominations are well-deserved for this comedy movie.
The Red Skelton Hour (1951 to 1971)
Red Skelton deserves more attention than I think he gets. His Emmy-award-winning comedy variety show, created by Marcel Marceau, lasted 20 years, which is amazing when you think about how much changed in those two decades. Each episode featured special guests like The Rolling Stones, John Wayne, and Johnny Carson.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
I’m a fan of Marilyn Monroe’s work, and “Some Like It Hot” is my favorite. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon play musicians who flee Chicago after witnessing a mob shooting. To escape the city without detection, they dress up as women and board a train with an all-female band. They befriend Sugar (Monroe), and they struggle to maintain the façade that they’re women.
The Three Stooges Show (1962 to 1970)
Larry, Curly, and Moe are the best-known Three Stooges, though Shemp also appeared from time to time. The trio started as a Vaudeville act and grew into one of the nation’s greatest comedy shows. The skits blended physical and slapstick comedy styles with comical dialogue and scenarios. In addition to the TV show, several comedy movies, including “The Three Stooges Meet Hercules,” featured the trio.
Three’s Company (1976 to 1984)
John Ritter was a master at slapstick comedy. His comedic timing and trips and stumbles always evoked laughter. In the show, he fakes that he’s a gay man in order to get the landlord’s approval for a man to live with two single women. The relationships between the characters were heartwarming and so much fun. They were some of the best sitcom characters. (Now, check out The 10 Most Annoying Sitcom Characters before you go.)