Watch the short subject "The Music Box" starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy (1931).
The film won Best Short Subject at the new (for the times) Academy Awards in 1931. Since SOUND in film was still in its novelty, look for the following characteristics and complete the prompt question below as your participation/activity grade for the film:
A. SILENT FILM COMEDY
1. Silent films in the comedy genre before 1930 focused mostly on physical "slapstick" humor--that is, physical jokes and humor. This technique is part of the larger tradition of FARCE. Laurel & Hardy were well-known SILENT film comedians, rivaling Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin (all of whom continued working into the 1930s and made sound films). As you watch the film, notice AT LEAST 3 examples of physical humor (there are hundreds...)
2. Comedy also plays around with mistaken identity. Again this is a tradition in FARCE. As you watch this film, identify at least TWO examples of mistaken identity and explain how this causes laughter/humor to the situation for the viewer.
3. Like Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy also focused their comedy on economic issues (remember: America was going through the Great Depression at the time this film was made). Humor (since the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare) often uses the satirical technique of finding humor from flipping the condition of SUPERIOR characters with INFERIOR characters--that is, making characters who think highly of themselves objects of ridicule from characters who are (often economically) inferior. The servant is smarter than his master, the rich or socially powerful are idiots, etc. Find ONE example in this film to illustrate this & explain how the "joke" works.
BONUS: You might find examples of IRONY (situational or verbal or dramatic), examples of farce (quick exits and unexpected entrances), as well as witty dialogue or clever wordplay (wit and/or jokes). If you do, explain where these elements were found in the film and why they work to make this film funny.
B. SOUND
1. Find at least 3 examples of DIEGETIC sound. Explain how SOUND makes this film funnier than it would be if it were silent.
2. Find at least 3 examples of SOUND EFFECTS a foley artist might use. A FOLEY artist is a film techie/artist who records sounds for the sound design of a film. [Example: the sound of a speeding car or a crash sound when it hits a brick wall.]
Please ANSWER all 5 questions in a written response to the film. SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO OUR GOOGLE CLASSROOM!
I encourage you to complete the assignment earlier, rather than later. The film "The Music Box" runs about 30 min.
If you have questions or concerns, please email me or drop a question in the comment section.
The film won Best Short Subject at the new (for the times) Academy Awards in 1931. Since SOUND in film was still in its novelty, look for the following characteristics and complete the prompt question below as your participation/activity grade for the film:
A. SILENT FILM COMEDY
1. Silent films in the comedy genre before 1930 focused mostly on physical "slapstick" humor--that is, physical jokes and humor. This technique is part of the larger tradition of FARCE. Laurel & Hardy were well-known SILENT film comedians, rivaling Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin (all of whom continued working into the 1930s and made sound films). As you watch the film, notice AT LEAST 3 examples of physical humor (there are hundreds...)
2. Comedy also plays around with mistaken identity. Again this is a tradition in FARCE. As you watch this film, identify at least TWO examples of mistaken identity and explain how this causes laughter/humor to the situation for the viewer.
3. Like Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy also focused their comedy on economic issues (remember: America was going through the Great Depression at the time this film was made). Humor (since the Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare) often uses the satirical technique of finding humor from flipping the condition of SUPERIOR characters with INFERIOR characters--that is, making characters who think highly of themselves objects of ridicule from characters who are (often economically) inferior. The servant is smarter than his master, the rich or socially powerful are idiots, etc. Find ONE example in this film to illustrate this & explain how the "joke" works.
BONUS: You might find examples of IRONY (situational or verbal or dramatic), examples of farce (quick exits and unexpected entrances), as well as witty dialogue or clever wordplay (wit and/or jokes). If you do, explain where these elements were found in the film and why they work to make this film funny.
B. SOUND
1. Find at least 3 examples of DIEGETIC sound. Explain how SOUND makes this film funnier than it would be if it were silent.
2. Find at least 3 examples of SOUND EFFECTS a foley artist might use. A FOLEY artist is a film techie/artist who records sounds for the sound design of a film. [Example: the sound of a speeding car or a crash sound when it hits a brick wall.]
Please ANSWER all 5 questions in a written response to the film. SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT TO OUR GOOGLE CLASSROOM!
I encourage you to complete the assignment earlier, rather than later. The film "The Music Box" runs about 30 min.
If you have questions or concerns, please email me or drop a question in the comment section.
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