Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘comedy’

59 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year prev 1 2 next

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.

The Comedy Company – Series 1 Episode 11 television program – 1988

The Comedy Company, with its array of familiar, daggy suburban characters, was a popular sensation.

D

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.

The Damnation of Harvey McHugh – From Here to Maternity television program – 1994

Amid TV’s throng of lawyers, doctors and cops, public servant Harvey McHugh stands out as an unlikely small screen hero.

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.

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.

E

Effie: Just Quietly – Make-Ups and Makeovers television program – 2001

Effie was a sitcom character before wandering out of fiction into documentary. Her comic persona allows a bluntness that 'serious’ interviewers might not get away with.

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.

Fast Forward – Series 4 Episode 3 television program – 1992

A sketch comedy show from the late 1980s and early ‘90s featuring some big names in Australian comedy.

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.

Full Frontal – Series 3 Episode 4 television program – 1995

This sketch comedy series features early work from performers like Eric Bana and Shaun Micallef.

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.

Kingswood Country – There’s No Place Like Rome television program – 1980

A sitcom that lampoons suburban Australian culture, while being equally fascinated with it.

L

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.

Love and Other Catastrophes feature film – 1996

A light-hearted comedy that follows five Melbourne university students encountering love, study and house-share problems in the mid-‘90s.

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

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.

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.

RocKwiz – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 2005

Hosted by Julia Zemiro, a no frills pub-style cult music trivia night broadcast on SBS.

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.

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