Titles tagged with ‘comedy’
49 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year
A
Aeroplane Jelly Advertisement: Spaceship advertisement – 1959
The iconic Aeroplane Jelly jingle was recorded in 1938 by seven-year-old Joy King, who won a state-wide talent quest to record the official version of the song.
Athol Tier as Napoleon historical – c1931
Athol Tier’s performance as Napoleon was one of the many routines filmed for the Efftee Entertainers series of variety shorts.
The Aunty Jack Show – Series One television program – 1972
Grahame Bond’s Aunty Jack was a cross-dressing bikie hostess who threatened to jump out of viewers’ television sets and 'rip their bloody arms off’.
The Aunty Jack Show – Series Two television program – 1974
The Aunty Jack theme song was one of the earliest video clips, showcasing a great character and a memorable tune that stays with you.
B
Bananas in Pyjamas – Banana Breakfast television program – 1999
The combination of visually appealing characters with the 'Bananas in Pyjamas’ song created a highly popular and commercially successful preschool series.
The Big Gig – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 1989
There’s a rowdy beer-hall type atmosphere to this comedy-variety show, which tapped into a vibrant ‘80s live comedy scene in Melbourne.
Bit of Black Business – Two Big Boys short film – 2007
When their car breaks down at a drive-through restaurant, a speed bump becomes a seemingly insurmountable obstacle for two bickering brothers.
Browne, George: Our movie memories 1928–1934 home movie – 1928
These amateur role-plays are a real treat to watch and were clearly a source of great amusement for all involved.
C
Chandon Pictures – Champion Charles television program – 2007
Chandon Pictures is a comedy that takes an uneasy look at the notion of 'chasing your dream’.
The Chaser’s War on Everything – APEC Episodes television program – 2007
The Chaser’s APEC episodes underscore the power of the unexpected in this type of comedy and the legal juggling act involved in bringing it to air on a weekly basis.
The Chaser’s War on Everything – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 2006
This is the first episode of the satirical variety program, containing comic pranks, commentary and send-ups responding to topical issues and more general subjects.
D
D-Generation – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 1985
While the D-Generation credits read like a who’s who of two decades’ worth of Australian comedy, at the time these comedians were unknowns.
DAAS Kapital – Faith television program – 1992
The Doug Anthony All Stars serve up heavy doses of the nonsensical and the bizarre, plus dashes of sexual innuendo, cartoon-style violence and deliberate tastelessness.
Dr Plonk feature film – 2007
One of a tiny number of silent movies made since ‘the talkies’ arrived in the late 1920s, Rolf de Heer’s Dr Plonk is a high-spirited throwback to the days of pure visual slapstick.
F
Family Antics documentary – 1945
This is very strange but oddly compelling: a father, his son, and three fox terriers do acrobatics and balancing acts for the camera.
Fetch short film – 1998
This short film is a comic escalation of mishaps with a double-barrelled payoff. It was selected to compete at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
Four’s a Crowd documentary – 1957
Four’s a Crowd comically portrays four types of workers in the waterfront industry – Glass-arm Harry, Tiddly Pete, Nick-away Ned and Ron the Roaster.
G
The Games – Series 1 Episode 8, Rural and Environment television program – 1998
In mockumentary style, The Games charts the progress of the fictitious Logistics and Liaison Division of SOCOG in the run-up to the Sydney Olympics.
The Genie From Down Under – It’s my Opal … (and I’ll cry if I want to) television program – 1995
This episode shifts the action to Australia and introduces ‘the tour guide from hell’ and his sneaky nephew, both in pursuit of a magical opal.
George Wallace: Australia’s Premier Comedian historical – 1931
This screen test by seasoned vaudeville comic George Wallace led to roles in several feature films.
Gillies documentary – 1987
Max Gillies, probably best know for his portrayal of Bob Hawke, feels more confident and secure when he creates a character to hide behind.
The Gunston Tapes television program – 1975
Garry McDonald plays Norman Gunston, an egotistical but inept talk-show host. His rich and famous interview subjects often didn’t know the show was a parody.
H
Harmony Row feature film – 1933
George Wallace’s talent for physical comedy is fully evident in the boxing match which serves as the film’s climax.
A Hero’s Reward home movie – 1950
This delightful ‘family farce’ home movie production was filmed over a weekend around the Lindfield area in Sydney.
His Royal Highness feature film – 1932
The performance of George Wallace, star and writer, is a road map of comic techniques from the passing vaudeville era.
Horace and Tina – Settling In television program – 2000
This program is an unusual combination of live action and animatronic puppets with Jasmine Ellis, the actor playing Lauren, the animation model for Angela Anaconda.
I
I Told You I Was Ill: The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan documentary – 2004
Milligan’s affection for Australia, particularly the suburb of Woy Woy which he quips is a great place to commit suicide, had a significant impact on his life.
It’s Ruth: Ruth Cracknell, Actor documentary – 1994
It’s Ruth begins as a romp with Ruth as Maggie Beare through some of the zaniest scenes of Mother and Son, and ends with her as Winnie in Happy Days.
K
The Kid Stakes feature film – 1927
The Kid Stakes is one of the greatest comedies of the silent era, although it was largely dismissed at the time as simply a children’s film.
L
Le Patineur Grotesque historical – 1896
This footage of a man performing on rollerskates for a crowd in a park is thought to be Australia’s earliest surviving film.
Let The Blood Run Free – Episode 2 television program – 1990
When it first screened in 1990, this was one of the earliest examples of interactive television, allowing viewers to phone in and vote on what would happen next.
M
Magical Powers short film – 1936
The idea behind Magical Powers was to show the audience some of the illusions and simple tricks that can be created with a moving image camera.
The Mavis Bramston Show – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 1964
A weekly variety show featuring topical satire, sketches and songs.
The Mavis Bramston Show – Series 2 Episode 1 television program – 1965
Although Mavis Bramston’s topical satire is no longer current, it is still sharp.
The Money or the Gun – Heroin television program – 1989
Denton defends comedy as a means of being serious as he tackles the topic of heroin.
More Winners – The Big Wish television program – 1990
The faeries in the Enchanted Realm are in trouble. Today is the last day to grant seven wishes to humans or they will lose their magic power – forever!
Mortified – Taylor’s DNA television program – 2006
The series creator says her inspiration came from realising that, from age 11 onwards, kids begin to find things their parents do very embarrassing.
My Name’s McGooley, What’s Yours? – End of the Line television program – 1967
McGooley, starring Gordon Chater and set in Balmain in the ’60s, was Australia’s first homegrown sitcom success.
N
The Naked Vicar Show – Series 2 Episode 2 television program – 1978
The Naked Vicar Show is a sketch comedy series that lampoons suburban Australian society.
P
The Piano Tuner short film – 1960
Amateur filmmakers the Straford Brothers started making this comedy short to test their newly purchased 16mm Bolex camera.
R
Redback short film – 1995
In this playful animated short, a redback spider wreaks the ultimate humiliation on his male tormentor.
Round the Twist – Series One – Skeleton on the Dunny television program – 1989
This first episode gives a real taste for the eclectic range of themes and elements which combine to create the Round The Twist magic.
Round the Twist – Series One – Spaghetti Pig Out television program – 1989
This is a clever and funny episode, based on a simple ‘What if…’ premise. There is loads of silly slapstick, and a spectacular dose of yuck at the end.
Round the Twist – Series Two – Nails television program – 1992
This episode is quite different from many others in the Round the Twist series. While it still has lots of humour, it is a rather more serious, romantic and sad story.
Round the Twist – Series Two – Next Time Round television program – 1992
The second series introduced new actors in many key roles but the change of cast didn’t have any impact on the popularity of Round the Twist.
S
Shell Animated Commercial: Poster Man advertisement – 1960
This advertisement was made to screen only in cinemas prior to a feature film program despite being made after the introduction of television.
Strike Me Lucky feature film – 1934
The Holocaust made vaudeville star Roy Rene’s Jewish caricatures unacceptable in later years, but this wasn’t the case in 1934.
U
The Upside Down Show – Art Museum television program – 2006
A show for preschoolers using the talents of stand-up comedians the Umbilical Brothers.
W
Wicked Science – Episode 1, The Gift television program – 2003
The spectacular dinosaur scenes and the transformation from nerd to villainous ice queen make this a not-to-be-missed episode.
