Expert: Barbara L. Baker - 2/14/2005

Question
This is a question relating to dark comdies, Professor Baker. A
few of my favorite movies include The Graduate, Midnight
Cowboy, and Harold & Maude. Obviously all of these movies
have similar styles, and they were done in the late 60's, early
70's. I heard from an RTF Teacher's Assistant (back when I was
in school) at one point that there was a term used for this film
movement. And of course, I can't remember what I was. Any
ideas?

Also, based on the three films I listed, do you have any similar
movie recommendations?

Answer
Dear Reagan:  I'll be happy to answer as best I can.  I'm not sure what your RTF T.A. was referring to, as the films you mentioned can be seen as hybrid genres (indeed, when it was released, Midnight Cowboy was seen as a serious drama, not a comedy, even a black one).

I heard Buck Henry, screenwriter for The Graduate, say once that he (and others in the 1960s) were greatly influenced by European films, esp. the French New Wave of the 1960s (but also Italian Neo-realism, which flourished in post-war Italy).  In addition, both The Graduate and Harold and Maude can be seen as revisionist romantic comedies, as well as satires on social/political issues, behavior, etc.  Harold and Maude also is a black comedy, or one that deals with taboo subjects (esp. death)--most would not call The Graduate a black comedy.  Harold and Maude also was a frequent midnight movie (those started prior to Rocky Horror), and is considered a cult film,

With all that in mind, here is a listing of other 1960s and 1970s films that are similar (several are cult films, and may be hard to locate):

1.  Brewster McCloud (1970)--Robert Altman's cult satire, also with Bud Cort
2.  Breathless (1959)--Godard's French New Wave/black comedy (a classic)
3.  A Clockwork Orange (1971)--Stanley Kubrick's provocative, and very violent, black comedy
4.  Dr. Strangelove (1964)--Kubrick's black comedy/anti-war satire
5.  King of Hearts (1966)--de Broca's French anti-war satire, often played the midnight movie circuit with Harold and Maude.
6.  Lord Love a Duck (1966)--a cynical black comedy about high school, love, and murder (well before Heathers), with Ruth Gordon.
7.  The Loved One (1965)--a mocking satire/black comedy about the funeral business, from E. Waugh's novel
8.  The Magic Christian (1970)--a British black comedy/satire, which also has some very tasteless bits.
9.  Pink Flamingos (1972)--John Waters' tasteless and crude black comedy; long a cult midnight movie favorite.
10.  The President's Analyst (1967)--a little known political satire with James Coburn (one of my favorites)
11.  The Producers (1969)--Brook's original film version

There are others, both of this time period and earlier (as well as later), of course.  I hope you can find some of these and enjoy them (keeping in mind that humor is generally personal--although I found these films funny, it doesn't mean you will).  If you want some a list of more current films, just let me know.