I have enrolled in an online course via TCM and Ball State University (Indiana). It's about the history of slapstick in cinema. I am hoping to blog about the films and what I am learning.
The first cinematic slapstick is so simple that in its day must have made audiences ooh and awe and laugh. I must admit it made me smile and chuckle a bit realizing it's from the 1890s. Who knew that from a simple physical gag that this would be improved into the funniest routines that entertainment ever created. The poor gardner's point of view is "what is happening?" while the kid is "I'm going to have some fun." It's the kids idea of fun that leads to the comic/slapstick situation. We've all been there, victims of innocent pranks or even tripping over furniture...laughing at others' comic misfortune makes us forget ours. It will be an eye-opener to see how Lumiere's simple gag evolves into slapstick.
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