1970's Comedy Movies

From Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam
Rated PG

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a classic 1975 British comedy directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. The film follows the adventures of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Along the way, they are faced with numerous comical and outrageous obstacles, ranging from a killer rabbit to a three-headed giant. The classic slapstick comedy and witty dialogue of the film have made it a beloved classic in the world of British comedy.

From Mel Brooks, starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle
Rated PG

Young Frankenstein is a 1974 American comedy horror film directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder as the title character, a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The supporting cast includes Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman. The film is a parody of the classic horror film genre, specifically the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus produced by Universal Pictures in the 1930s. The film follows the experiences of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Wilder) who, after inheriting his grandfather's castle in Transylvania, becomes interested in his ancestor's work of re-animating dead tissue. With the help of the hunchbacked Igor (Feldman) and the yokel Fritz (Boyle), Frederick concocts a monstrous creature with help from an unwitting blind man (Hackman) and an eccentric laboratory assistant (Kahn). The film has since become a cult classic and it is widely considered one of Brooks' best films.

From Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Rated R

Life of Brian is a British comedy film released in 1979 and written by the Monty Python comedy group, directed by Terry Jones. The film follows the life of a young Jewish man named Brian Cohen (played by Graham Chapman) who is mistaken for the messiah and is arrested and subsequently crucified. Through a series of comedic misadventures, Brian attempts to escape his followers and evade Roman authority. He also encounters various characters and groups throughout his journey, including the Judean People's Front and the People's Front of Judea. The film satirizes the events surrounding Jesus' life and the misuse of religion, while still maintaining a lighthearted tone. The film was widely praised by critics and remains a cult classic.

From Mel Brooks, starring Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman
Rated R

Blazing Saddles is a 1974 satirical Western comedy film directed by Mel Brooks. The film is set in the American Old West and stars Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder. The plot centers around a newly appointed African-American sheriff of Rock Ridge, Bart (Little), who faces opposition from the town's white residents and a gang of thugs sent by a corrupt politician to drive the townspeople out. The townsfolk must rely on Bart, the new sheriff, and the naive Waco Kid (Wilder) to save them from the villains. With help from a group of singing cowboys and a seductive saloon girl (Madeline Kahn), Bart and the Waco Kid battle the villains and restore peace to Rock Ridge. The film also features a number of other comic vignettes and satirical sketches. Along with lampooning the racism and stereotypes of the Old West, the film also parodies a wide range of other subjects, including Hollywood westerns, politics, and even religion.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Georges Adet, Frank Adu
Rated PG

Love and Death is a 1975 comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It stars Allen, Diane Keaton, and Tony Roberts. The story follows the musings of a young Russian man, Boris Grushenko (Allen), and his journey to find the meaning of life. Through a series of adventures, Boris discovers love, death, and the consequences of making choices. Along the way, he meets a beautiful girl, Sonja (Keaton), who he falls in love with. The couple eventually marry and must face the consequences of the Napoleonic Wars in Russia. Through a series of comedic and romantic misadventures, Boris and Sonja come to understand the true meaning of love and death.

From Herbert Ross, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Jerry Lacy
Rated PG

Play It Again, Sam is a 1972 comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross. It stars Woody Allen as Allan Felix, a neurotic film critic whose obsession with Humphrey Bogart and Casablanca leads him to seek love and advice from the ghost of Bogart himself. The story follows Allan as he attempts to win the heart of Linda, an attractive single mother, by following Bogart's example. He also seeks advice from his best friend, the womanizing Dick and his ex-wife, the neurotic Nancy. Through a series of humorous and touching events, Allan ultimately learns to make his own decisions and take control of his life.

From Brian G. Hutton, starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O'Connor
Rated GP

Kelly's Heroes is a 1970 war comedy-adventure directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, and Telly Savalas. Set in the days before the Normandy landings during World War II, the film follows a group of American, British, Canadian, and German soldiers on a mission to steal a fortune in Nazi-held gold. While the Allied forces are busy in the south of France, Kelly, an American soldier, hatches a plan to steal a substantial amount of gold stored in a German bank behind enemy lines. With the help of his motley crew of soldiers, Kelly embarks on a daring mission to locate and retrieve the gold, all the while evading enemy forces and outsmarting a crafty German sergeant. With its quick pacing, interesting characters, and offbeat humor, Kelly's Heroes remains a classic of its genre—and a beloved tribute to the brave and resourceful soldiers of World War II.

From James Frawley, starring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt
Rated G

The Muppet Movie is a 1979 American musical comedy film directed by James Frawley and produced by Jim Henson. Starring Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the film follows the Muppets—led by Kermit the Frog—as they travel across the United States in pursuit of their Hollywood dreams. Along the way, they encounter numerous obstacles, from battling a giant wolf to escaping the clutches of an evil entrepreneur. Along the journey, they are joined by a variety of celebrities, including Orson Welles, Steve Martin, and Mel Brooks. The film features a number of musical numbers, including the signature song "The Rainbow Connection." Ultimately, the Muppets find success and fame in Hollywood, and the film ends with a finale performance of "The Muppet Show Theme."

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Karen Allen, Tom Hulce, Stephen Furst
Rated R

From Robert Altman, starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman
Rated R

From Jim Sharman, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien
Rated R

From Arthur Hiller, starring Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Lesley-Anne Down, Burt Kwouk
Rated PG

From Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Catlin Adams, Mabel King
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck, Mary Gregory
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer, Catherine Schell, Herbert Lom
Rated G

From Directors: Robert Stevenson, Ward Kimball, starring Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe
Rated G

From Arthur Hiller, starring Jack Lemmon, Sandy Dennis, Sandy Baron, Anne Meara
Rated G

From Hal Needham, starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry
Rated PG

From Directors: Lou Adler, Tommy Chong, starring Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Strother Martin, Edie Adams
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalbán, Nati Abascal
Rated PG-13

From Arthur Hiller, starring Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan
Rated PG

From Colin Higgins, starring Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts
Rated PG

From Mel Brooks, starring Mel Brooks, Marty Feldman, Dom DeLuise, Sid Caesar
Rated Passed

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Gene Wilder, Louise Lasser, John Carradine
Rated R