“Physical comedy is a form of comedy focused on manipulation of the body for a humorous effect. It can include slapstick, clowning, mime, physical stunts, or making funny faces.[1] Physical comedy originated as part of the Commedia dell’arte.[2] “–WIKIPEDIA
This is a screenwriting blog. But sometimes the laugh isn’t in dialogue. Sometimes actor business steals the scene. It’s in a piece of physical comedy that’s not even in the script.
Take it back to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton in the silent era. The classic Gloria Swanson quote: “We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces.”
Being as I’ve dedicated the rest of this year’s blog posts to try to find some laughter in the ruins, this one is a natural.
If you haven’t seen much Chaplin or Keaton, shame on you! Check out some great physical comedy, from Chaplin on up to 40 Year Old Virgin.
—BUSTER KEATON, ART OF THE GAG
—CHRIS FARLEY, MATT FOLEY, SNL
—CHAPLIN, EATING MACHINE
