The Top Ten Classic Hollywood Comedy Teams of the Sound Era
Some of the most memorable moments in cinema history come from Hollywood's classic comedy teams. This listicle ranks the top ten male movie comedy teams of the sound era, restricting the time frame to the 1930s-1950s and focusing on teams that starred in their own films. The criteria for judging are the quality of their films, the ratio of good to bad films, and the quantity of their work. We’ve arrived at a balanced, fair, and objective list that will likely surprise and even anger many viewers. Justice is always a tricky task to achieve.
1. Laurel and Hardy
Without a doubt, Laurel and Hardy stand as the greatest film comedy team of all time. Their voluminous output, spanning both shorts and features, is nothing short of extraordinary. The sheer variety, originality, and excellence of their comedies make them truly unparalleled. Even their later works, made during the last decade of their partnership, remain consistently enjoyable. These films, in my view, are masterpieces that deserve the top spot.
2. The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges, with their immense quantity of 220 films (190 of which are those Columbia comedy shorts), have a mass appeal that endures even today. While they are often seen as the most low-brow among comedy teams, their characters in various incarnations are both funny and memorable. Their unique formula and sheer number of films contribute significantly to their place on this list, despite the occasional repetition and low-brow content.
3. Wheeler and Woolsey
This team’s extensive filmography, consisting of 22 features over eight years, has a high entertainment value, making them a commendable choice for this list. Despite Robert Woolsey being seen as less impressive than George Burns or Groucho Marx, his partnership with Wheeler created formulas that influenced other teams like Abbott and Costello, Hope and Crosby, and Martin and Lewis. Additionally, the untimely death of Robert Woolsey means there was no significant decline in the team's performance.
4. The Marx Brothers
While The Marx Brothers are universally regarded as one of the greatest comedy teams in history, they rank lower here due to the quantity of their films. Of their 13 features, half are brilliant while the rest are considered rather mundane. Starting late in their careers with Chico (the oldest) being 50 at the start of their decline, the team's energy-dependent performances led to a compromised show in the latter half of their career.
5. Hope and Crosby
Besides being a unique case, Hope and Crosby only made seven comedies together, with only a handful truly defining them as a team. Yet, the quality of these movies, especially those in the "Road" series, is undeniable. These films, while numerically small, hold a special place in comedy history due to their enduring magic and memorability.
6. Olsen and Johnson
Similar to The Marx Brothers, Olsen and Johnson's films span a good era and a bad era. Their first five features are far less enjoyable, but their realization with their Broadway show "Hellzapoppin" and its follow-up, "Crazy House," brought a new era of success. The stark difference between their early and later films makes them a unique case in this list.
7. Clark and McCullough
This idiosyncratic duo's unique style, blending elements of Marx Brothers surrealism and Three Stooges short subjects, distinguishes them. Despite having only made about three dozen shorts, I believe their films have a distinctive charm and are not to be underrated. Their films are more enjoyable than any of the lower-ranked teams in this list.
8. Abbott and Costello
While their individual careers as solo artists are impressive, only seven films together, including filler material, capture the essence of their comedy. Their feature films can be tedious, especially when comparing them to the timeless comedies of the likes of Chaplin, Keaton, or Laurel and Hardy. However, some of their films, like "Who Done It?" are exceptionally entertaining and stand out among the rest.
9. Martin and Lewis
Similar to Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis's films are often padded with unnecessary plot elements, making them lengthy and dull. Martin's solo films, however, are often more interesting and showcase his comedic vision. Their feature films are a double-edged sword, providing both entertainment and frustration for viewers.
10. The Ritz Brothers
While the Ritz Brothers could sing, dance, and make faces, their narrative films fall flat. Their actual movies are entertaining due to good scripts, direction, and co-stars, but the team itself struggles with character portrayal in narrative films. This unique shortcoming brings them to the bottom of the list, despite their vehicle films being praised.
Conclusion
This list is a testament to the enduring legacy and unique qualities of each team. While some viewers may disagree, these criteria and rankings are meant to reflect a balanced, fair, and objective evaluation. We understand the emotional attachment many have to these classic films, but the objective standards for quality and quantity cannot be ignored.