Aristophanes The Birds ("Ornithets") is the only comedy written by Aristophanes whose entire action takes place far from the city of Athens. Consequently, the play makes little mention of the circumstances of the Peloponnesian War, or of contemporary Athenian politics. It won second prize at the Dionysia in 414 BC. It is a play about the … Continue reading Aristophanes’s The Birds: A New City in the Sky
comedy
The Courts Ridiculed in the Wasps
At the outset of the Wasps, we are presented with two slaves who are awakening after drinking. They have been tasked with keeping guard over the entrances and exits of their house. A huge net has been cast over the house. Their instructions come from their master, Bdelykleon ("Kleon despiser" -in the play, Aristophanes continues his … Continue reading The Courts Ridiculed in the Wasps
The Circus
The Circus (1928) Director: Sir Charles Chaplin The Circus is a delightful film, reprising Chaplin's famous "Tramp" character. In truth, it was one of the hardest movies Chaplin ever made. During the filming, his mother died, there were numerous scheduling delays, a studio fire, a bitter divorce from his second wife, Lita Grey, he suffered … Continue reading The Circus
The Navigator
9/5/2016 The Navigator (1924) Director: Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp The Navigator is another classic Buster Keaton film, and one of his first great films, following Sherlock, Jr. It contains some of Keaton's best stunts and is based on the screenplay by Clyde Bruckman, a writer for other great comedies, including the works of W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, … Continue reading The Navigator
Aristotle, Oedipus, and Greek Tragedy
There is a rigorous debate among scholars that has perpetuated for hundreds of years, dating back to Aristotle, about whether or not the purpose, or telos, of a tragedy is to determine a particular character flaw of the central protagonist. That is, to inquire about whether or not Oedipus is, indeed, a flawed human being who has, somehow, … Continue reading Aristotle, Oedipus, and Greek Tragedy
Our Hospitality
8/27/16 Our Hospitality (1923) Director: Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton and John G. Blystone Buster Keaton delivers a delightful film as his first work with Our Hospitality. It is more sentimental than his other later films, such as The General or Sherlock, Jr. The vast luxury of rural southern plantation life is beautifully captured, yet the slapstick humor that is … Continue reading Our Hospitality
Duck Soup
Duck Soup (1933) Director: Leo McCarey The Marx Brothers' Duck Soup is a film of enduring delights. Whereas Horse Feathers is a parody of the elite nepotism integral to the status of higher education, Duck Soup is a parody of the fascistic dictatorships of the 1930s. Lamentably, the film was considered a commercial and critical failure … Continue reading Duck Soup
Helpmates
Helpmates Director: James Parrot (1932) Helpmates is an amusing early Laurel and Hardy film lasting just over 21 minutes. It was released by MGM and tells the story of Ollie, a chubby married man, who throws a large house party while his wife is away on vacation. He receives a telegram from his wife stating … Continue reading Helpmates
Horse Feathers
Horse Feathers (1932) Director: Norman Z. McLeod Horse Feathers is one of the greatest Marx Brothers films. It was their fourth film, following Animal Crackers, The House That Shadows Built, and Monkey Business. It was also a film released before the censorship codes were introduced in Hollywood in 1934. The plot of the film follows … Continue reading Horse Feathers
City Lights
City Lights (1931) Director: Charlie Chaplin City Lights: A Comedy of Romance in Pantomime was released three years after the rise of talkies. It was the lone film that was released despite the growth in popularity of sound films, yet it was remarkably not nominated for a single Academy Award. Again, Charlie Chaplin reprises his 'Little … Continue reading City Lights
