Comparing “buddy” Pairs of the Old Cinema
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After the introduction and expiration of the silent film genre, the earlier days of comedy brought about several comedy duos, also known as “Buddy” teams. Some of these teams included such acts as Abbot and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, and later extended to include Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and some groups such as the Little Rascals and the Three Stooges. Every one of these teams had a ploy to win the hearts of their audience.
Most comedy duos used an approach to their acts where one member took on the “intelligent leader” role and the other the “incompetent side-kick” type of persona. In Laurel and Hardy’s approach, it was Stan laurel that appeared to be the incompetent one; always messing things up and ducking around every corner to avoid any brush with danger. Close analysis would lead the viewer to realize that Laurel really is the star of the show, for it was Laurel’s comic innocence and naivetй that make him a loveable character in their films. Certainly Oliver’s skills added pizzazz to the comedy routine, but, I believe many could agree he could not hold a truly riveting act by himself alone.
A Short History of Movies (8th ed. Mast and Kawin) mentioned, “their films demonstrate the classic structure of farce…(they) begin with a single