Add Shemp Howard To Daphne Pollard And Get A Negative Comedy

Shemp and Dphne sell their Civil War sketch to impresario Lionel Stander on the basis of a cannon in the act, and on they go with the mismanaged performance.

It's one of those skits we're supposed to laugh at because it is so inept, but this one doesn't work at all. Both of the leads were quite capable of producing some laughs on their own, but together there is no chemistry; the sort of wrangling that each could make audiences laugh is somehow distinctly unfunny. Add in an erratic set-up -- a nasty landlord, a crazy neighbor who wanders in bringing fresh butter -- and the only reason to watch this is for the act that precedes them in the bill.

The slapstick comedy subgenre, a term that originates from a type of wooden paddle with a hinged flap that was used in early comedic performances to create slapping noises during comedic actions, is a form of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, boisterous, and often absurd actions, situations, and physical interactions. Slapstick humor relies on visual gags, physical stunts, and exaggerated movements to create laughs.

Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

A vaudeville team convinces an agent to book their new act, which uses a Civil War theme.

Shemp Howard, Daphne Pollard, and Harry Shannon in Smoked Hams (1934)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Big V Comedies (1934-1935 Season) #4: Smoked Hams

Bud Abbott, Laverne Andrews, Maxene Andrews, Patty Andrews, Lou Costello, and The Andrews Sisters in Buck Privates (1941)

Shemp Howard and Donald MacBride in Serves You Right (1935)

Denholm Elliott, Celia Johnson, Margaret Leighton, and Ralph Richardson in The Holly and the Ivy (1952)

Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Scram! (1932)

Oliver Hardy, Lewis R. Foster, Stan Laurel, and Hal Roach in Bacon Grabbers (1929)

Karl Hein in Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations (1938)

Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations

Shemp Howard and Daphne Pollard in Smoked Hams (1934)

Shemp Howard, Daphne Pollard, and Lionel Stander in Smoked Hams (1934)

Smoked Hams

Photos12

Top Cast8

User reviews7

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed