1960's Comedy Movies

From Billy Wilder, starring James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis
Rated Not Rated

One, Two, Three is a 1961 satirical comedy directed by Billy Wilder. It stars James Cagney as C.R. "Mac" MacNamara, the hard-driving, fast-talking American head of West Berlin operations for the Coca-Cola Company. He is also trying to manage his own rebellious teenage daughter, who has fallen in love with a communist East German. When his boss arrives from Atlanta with his boss's hot-headed and impetuous son-in-law in tow, MacNamara must scramble to keep the two separated while also dealing with a brewing East-West Berlin crisis. This madcap comedy is filled with a series of wild antics, misunderstandings, and escalating chaos.

From Robert Stevenson, starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns
Rated G

Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney, based on the book series by P. L. Travers. The film stars Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, a magical English nanny who visits the Banks family of London to care for their children. Along with Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns, the cast also includes Ed Wynn, Matthew Garber, Karen Dotrice, Hermione Baddeley, and Elsa Lanchester. The film follows Mary Poppins as she helps the Banks family to appreciate each other and their home, using her unique magical abilities to take them on fantastical adventures. She also teaches the children, Michael and Jane, lessons with a combination of fun and discipline. As her stay ends, Mary Poppins teaches the family an important lesson on the importance of cherishing the moments shared with loved ones.

From Gene Saks, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Fiedler, Herb Edelman
Rated Passed

The Odd Couple is a classic 1968 comedy film directed by Gene Saks. It stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as two divorced men—Oscar Madison, an unkempt slob, and Felix Unger, an uptight neat freak—who become unlikely roommates. Despite their many differences, the two men must find a way to coexist. As their unique relationship develops, they face various obstacles and adventures, eventually discovering a newfound appreciation for one another. The Odd Couple is a timeless comedy that pushed boundaries and established Saks as one of the greatest filmmakers of his time.

From Richard Lester, starring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Rated G

A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British musical comedy directed by Richard Lester, and starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. The film follows the band over the course of a day, as they travel to a television performance, avoid their fans, rehearse, and perform their songs. Along the way, they cope with their manager's various schemes, an eccentric grandfather, and a comical constable, who tries to arrest them. The film features several of The Beatles' most popular songs, including the title track, and was a major box office success. A Hard Day's Night has since been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time, and an important influence on the development of musical films.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney
Rated G

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World is a classic ensemble comedy film directed by Stanley Kramer. The movie follows an assortment of characters - eight in total - as they all race to find a hidden cache of money buried in California by a recently-deceased crook. The money is revealed to be buried in a park, and the characters all set out in a frantic race to find it first. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including a police officer who is determined to get the money for himself. As the race goes on, the characters' individual quirks and personality traits are slowly revealed, resulting in a wild comedy ride. With an all-star cast, including Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Ethel Merman, Jonathan Winters, and Mickey Rooney, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World is an iconic comedy classic.

From Mel Brooks, starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Dick Shawn, Kenneth Mars
Rated PG

The Producers (1967) is a comedy classic directed by Mel Brooks. It tells the story of two down-on-their-luck Broadway producers, Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder). Max and Leo hatch a plan to make a fortune by producing the worst musical ever: Springtime for Hitler. The plan is to oversell shares in the production, put on a terrible show, and then close it before anyone realizes it was awful. However, their plan backfires when the audience loves it and the show becomes a hit. With their scheme exposed, Max and Leo must scramble to save themselves from legal trouble and try to turn their luck around. The Producers is a hilarious film full of sharp wit, outrageous jokes, and absurd premises, and is considered to be one of Brooks' best and most memorable comedies.

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders, Herbert Lom
Rated PG

From Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Judi West
Rated Passed

From David Swift, starring Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Charles Ruggles
Rated Passed

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Janet Margolin, Marcel Hillaire, Jacquelyn Hyde
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Peter Falk
Rated Passed

From Gene Saks, starring Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, Goldie Hawn, Jack Weston
Rated M

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack MacGowran, Roman Polanski, Alfie Bass, Jessie Robins
Rated Not Rated

From Richard Lester, starring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Rated G

From Blake Edwards, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine
Rated Approved

From Norman Jewison, starring Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith
Rated Unrated

From Gene Kelly, starring Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew
Rated G

From Ken Hughes, starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill
Rated G

From Stanley Donen, starring Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch
Rated TV-14

From Robert Stevenson, starring Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk
Rated Approved

From Tony Richardson, starring Albert Finney, Susannah York, George Devine, Rachel Kempson
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: Woody Allen, Senkichi Taniguchi, starring Woody Allen, The Lovin' Spoonful, Frank Buxton, Louise Lasser
Rated PG

From Raja Gosnell, starring Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo, Jerry O'Connell, Sean Faris
Rated PG

From Directors: Val Guest, Ken Hughes, John Huston, Joseph McGrath, Robert Parrish, Richard Talmadge, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Orson Welles
Rated Approved