When trying to find the subject of this final paper I tried to think of a director whose works are considered to be comic classics. Throughout this course I have learned that while a comedy film is designed to be funny it may also deliver an important message. Through a comedic film, an issue may be attacked but in a subtle way. Ideas, politics, government, war, sexuality, race, and religion are not off limits to comedies. These topics aren’t usually discussed in a way that does not offend. In a way the comedy allows for people to discuss these topics and hopefully see them as a topic for discussion rather than taking a firm stance either for or against an issue.
While the actors and directors we have learned about this semester are certainly worthy of our attention I believe that Harold Ramis should also be considered for his movies and in particular his movie, Caddyshack. Sure, they are not as thought provoking as some of the films that we have covered, but he did direct some incredibly successful films. His most successful movie, in my opinion, is Caddyshack. The film stars Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, Michael O’Keefe , and Rodney Dangerfield. This film may not have been for everyone but I would venture to say that every male golfer 30 years and older has seen it. There are numerous lines quoted everyday at the country clubs and on the golf courses throughout the land. If viewed critically, one can see that it is made to reflect poorly on the wealthy and very stereotypical assessments of those that have wealth. Is the American Dream to be rich and belong to a country club where you have people of the working class being at your beck and call?
The film may not ask that, but I believe that it does show that there is a definite separation between the haves and have nots in society as evidenced by the following exchanges between Ted Knight’s character Judge Smails and caddy Danny Noonan played by Michael O’Keefe:
Judge Smails: Danny, I'm having a party this weekend.
[pauses a beat]
Judge Smails: How would you like to come over and mow my lawn? (IMDb)
This is a funny interaction in my opinion. It shows that Judge Smails views Danny as the help, which he is.
Danny Noonan: I planned to go to law school after I graduated, but it looks like my folks won't have enough money to put me through college.
Judge Smails: Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too. (IMDb)
This was an attempt by Danny to get sympathy from Judge Smails in order to get a leg up on getting a scholarship. It does not work.
Another interaction happens between Judge Smails and the character Smoke Porterhouse played by Jackie Davis:
Judge Smails: Oh Porterhouse, look at the wax build up on these shoes I want that wax stripped off there, then I want them creamed and buffed with a fine chamois, and I want them now. Chop chop.
Smoke Porterhouse: Yes judge, right away judge. (IMDb)
It seems that Judge Smails is the biggest joke of the movie. While being wealthy and a supposed high standing citizen in society, he is portrayed as jerk. I can think of many other words to describe him but I will keep this paper clean. Was Ramis intentionally doing this? Of course he was. People like Judge Smails exist in society. They believe that their title, money, upbringing, education, and possessions make them better than the next man. I am not sure where Ramis got his inspiration for Judge Smails but he could have found it in many places.
Harold Allen Ramis was born in Chicago, IL on November 21, 1944 (IMDb). His film credits as director are Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Club Paradise, Groundhog Day, Stuart Saves His Family, Multiplicity, Analyze This, Bedazzled, Analyze That, The Ice Harvest, The Ice Harvest: Alternate Endings, Atlanta, Year One and four episodes of The Office. Of the films mentioned, Caddyshack ($39,846,344), National Lampoon’s Vacation ($61,399,552), and Groundhog Day ($70,906,973) may be considered his best works and have a total domestic gross of an astonishing $172,152,869! (Box Office Mojo). While this number is very impressive, the films he has written for are just as impressive. The list includes Animal House, Stripes, Ghostbusters, and Back to School. Animal House being the fourth best comedy of all time according to a Rolling Stone readers’ poll (Rolling Stone).
Ramis worked alongside some of the best comics of our time. The list is very long but to highlight a few, comics the likes of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal, Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, and Rodney Dangerfield just to name a few. That’s quite a list of comics to be associated with isn’t it? Not only has he worked along the names listed above, but comics like Judd Apatow, Jay Roach, Peter Farrelly, Jake Kasdan and Adam Sandler cite Ramis as a key inspiration (Caro).That is an enormous compliment to Ramis, and the work he had done.
Unfortunately, Harold Ramis passed away at the age of 69 on February 24, 2014 in his hometown of Chicago, IL. His comic vision, while not always being insightful and thought provoking has been an enormous influence on actors, filmmakers, and the film industry. He wrote and or directed numerous films that would be considered to be blockbusters in terms of revenue. His legacy lives on. Try walking through a country club or on a golf course for a few days and not hearing a line from Caddyshack. It is not possible.
Works Cited
"National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) - Box Office Mojo." National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) - Box Office Mojo. Web. 02 May 2016.
"Groundhog Day (1993) - Box Office Mojo." Groundhog Day (1993) - Box Office Mojo. Web. 02 May 2016.
"Caddyshack (1980) - Box Office Mojo." Caddyshack (1980) - Box Office Mojo. Web. 02 May 2016.
"4. 'Animal House' | Readers' Poll: The 25 Funniest Movies of All Time." Rolling Stone. Web. 02 May 2016.
"Harold Ramis, Chicago Actor, Writer and Director, Dead at 69." Chicagotribune.com. Web. 02 May 2016.
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