Top 5 Comedy Teams of All Time
83
Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean
This former vaudeville act appeared in some of the black and white films of the 1930s and 1940s. I first saw them late one night in an entertaining picture and kept it in the back of my mind.
Within a few weeks, I read one of the many good books about Groucho Marx that includes many of his letters and memos from a lifetime career and learened therein that Mr. Shean was his uncle - his mother's brother. (I thought the hair looked familiar.)
Dr. Demento has played recordings of the singing and talking number Mr. Gallagher And Mr. Shean over the years and I plan to hear it soon. These gentlemen are like Abbott and Costello, but with music and a bit more wit. Their work is thoroughly enjoyable. Here is a sample of their act:
Shean-
Oh Mister Gallagher, Mister Gallagher
When you get home you'll get a great surprise
When your ship is drawing near
it will make you shed a tear
to see the lights of New York shining in the sky
Gallagher-
Oh Mr Shean, Mr Shean
I have made that trip so I know just what you mean
But there's one that shines so bright
it's the brightest one in sight
Shean- Statue of Liberty, Mr Gallagher?
Gallagher- Coney Island, Mr. Shean!
Groucho & Jackie Gleason do Gallagher and Shean
Ziegfeld Girl - Mr Gallagher and Mr Shean
The Marx Brothers
The rest of Al Shean's family was also funny, including the Marx Brothers: Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Gummo, and Zeppo; all sons of Minnie (Al's sister), who pushed them into show business.
If you ever get the chance to see the musical Minnie's Boys, you'll see the history of their characters unfold onstage.
Radio, film, books, TV shiows - the Marx Brothers were everywhere. Visit their tribute website: MARX BROTHERS and my Hub on Groucho and his brothers: Monkey Business (1931).
A Night at the Opera
How the Brothers Received Their Nicknames
Harpo Montage
Laurel and Hardy
Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy worked in vaudeville and in early film. Today, many people take on the persona of Stanley in comedy clubs and on stage and particularluy in a one-man show once frequently performed by Brent Spiner (Data of Star Trek®).
World famous science fiction author Ray Bradbury has also included Laurel and Hardy in some of his short stories, including The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair --
In this story a young couple visit the long staircare in California down which a piano chased the comedy team as they tried to move it upstairs in a famous film sequence. The ghosts of Stan and Ollie seemed to both haunt and bless the couple - she playing Stan and he, Oliver - until she should could no longer commit to the relationship. Years later and both married with a child, their families pass each other on the Champ D'Elyse in Paris. As they pass, she tousles the top of her hair and he flutters his tie while no word is spoken.
In another sci-fi tale, a sort of hologram of the comedy team travel from world to world, spreading laughter. To be remembered through science fiction is a particular honor.
"The Music Box" (piano) 1932 and today
The Holy Grail
Monty Python
This ensemble flmed Monty Python's Flying Circus for TV in Britain and America in the 1970s and went on to make several hilarious films thereafter. Their skits are classics and their albums are heard on the Dr. Demento Show and on CD.
Many of this comedy team met at upper class universities in the UK. The filmed:
- And Now For Something Completely Different
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Monty Python's Life of Brian
- Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
SPAM
Self Defense Class
Tim Conway and Harvey Korman
Tim (original name Tom) Conway was discovered by Steve Allen on a local Cleveland show and went on to entertain audiences in McHale's Navy and as an accident prone ensign. he joined The Carol Burnet Show and perfected such talent as falling up a flight of stairs in slow motion and playing a midget.
Harvey Korman was showcased on the hilarious Danny Kaye Show in the 1960s, worked on The Carol Burnett Show and made films with Mel Brooks, including The Producers and Blazing Saddles. Mr. Brooks had played The 1000 year Old Man on the old Syd Ceasar Show and the Steve Allen Tonight Show.
Both commedians won several Emmies and other awards, and Mr. Korman was recognized as well for portraying Bud Abbott in a drama about comedians
The Dentist
Pianos
The "No Frills" Airline
Dr. Demento Collections
|
Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection: The Greatest Novelty Records of All Time
Price: $18.18
List Price: $24.98 |
|
Dr. Demento 30th Anniversary Collection: Dementia 2000
Price: $23.74
List Price: $31.98 |
|
Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection Music Video Collection
Price: $64.99
|
![Star Trekkin' [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61YxoG%2BgU1L._SL75_.jpg)
|
Star Trekkin' [Explicit]
Price: $0.89
|
Comedy Classics
|
The Marx Brothers Collection (A Night at The Opera/A Day at The Races/A Night in Casablanca/Room Service/At the Circus/Go West/The Big Store)
Price: $29.97
List Price: $59.98 |
|
The Marx Brothers Silver Screen Collection
Price: $41.93
List Price: $59.98 |
|
The Unknown Marx Brothers
Price: $4.99
List Price: $9.98 |
|
The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell
Price: $24.95
List Price: $29.95 |
|
Inside the Marx Brothers
Price: $1.39
List Price: $14.98 |
|
The Marx Brothers Collection (Documentary)
Price: $10.43
List Price: $19.98 |
Share it! — Rate it: up down [flag this hub]
Comments
great job!
There are probably at least 5 more that I could name - Abbott and Costello (Does Sean Hannity remind anyone else of Lou Costello? - I liked Lou best.); The Three Stooges - except much of their life history was sad; Martin & Lewis, except Dean was much funnier alone on his own show; Syd Ceasar & Mel Brooks; Schreiber and Burns; Jackie Gleason and Art Carnie; John Belushi and Dan Akroyd as the Blues Brothers.
Another one that is not well known is Isaac Air Freight.
Great Comedy History, Patty Inglish...thanx so much for this trip down Memory Lane. I think most of them are all gone by now, except Harvey Korman's side-kick. Sad to realize that many of those who made us laugh can no longer do so. -Helen (Creativita)
That's one reason I enjoy YouTube! I particularly miss Groucho. Thanks Helen.
Patty
A wonderful hub, Patty. Your selections are excellent, and I'm very happy to see Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean on the list. I must say, however, that if I were doing this hub you might find Bing Crosby and Bob Hope at the top of the list -- a great comedy team as reflected in their seven "road" pictures as well as their running feud on their radio shows and elsewhere. I might also have included George Burns and Gracie Allen. I didn't see too much of Monty Python, but I alway loved Laurel & Hardy and the Marx Brothers. Tim Conway and Harvey Korman were very funny. Thanks very much for doing this hub, and for doing such a great job (as you always do.)
Thank you, William. I liked Bob Hope very much and saw him several times when he came to Ohio to visit relatives - he'd do the state fair as well. The road pictures are very entertaining. I particularly like the old tapes of Fibber McGee and Molly very much as well.
Oh! - Jack Benny and Rochester. How could I misplace those two?!?
Patty, I completely agree with you - Martin/Dean and Abbott/Costello are such classics with some fantastic, original routines. I always appreciated the sound effects used in the Abbott/Costello acts!!! Bing and Bob got hits on each other in movies that they didn't even co-star!
I'm glad you mentioned two more of my favorite comedy teams, Fibber McGee & Molly and Jack Benny & Rochester. But that just brought to mind another great comedy team that I'm afraid many people these days have never heard: Amos & Andy. While people today look upon that show with racial overtones, I always looked at Andy and the Kingfish as lovable characters. That radio show was the most popular of them all -- and the TV show was great, too.
Brilliant duos here Patty and very funny guys in there own right!
i have to agree that Abbot and Costello were as funny as Laural and Hardy, and here in the UK, we used to have the two Rennie's who were classic comedians..We now have Ant n Dec who could do really well as a twosome! very funny but still young!..Monty Python also is hillarios too!!.
I wondered how Bing Crosby and William would have faired as a duo!! lol
:)
Wow. great stuff! I loved the archive stuff. March of the Wooden Soldiers was a childhood favorite. Tenacious D is a greta comedy team too. but not in this class I'm afraid. HOWEVER
I do believe the inclusion of the Monte Python crew should open the doors for another troupe that is FUNNIER than at least one of your teams and that is the mockumentary films by Christopher Guest, Catherine O'Hara, Euguene Levy, Parker Posey, Fred Willard and the others
DJ - that reminds me of all the greats at Second City TV and their friends on the late night. Their DVDs always get high bids on eBay. How about the folk music parody film they did? - I loved it. I remember John Candy doing "Street Beef" with Johnnie Larue, interviewing people at 3AM. lol
William, I liked the TV Amos and Andy and heard the old tapes on radio in the 1960s. I liked the young man that played their almost-attorney. He was great fun.
Compu! -
DJ - that reminds me of all the greats at Second City TV and their friends on the late night. Their DVDs always get high bids on eBay. How about the folk music parody film they did? - I loved it. I remember John Candy doing "Street Beef" with Johnnie Larue, interviewing people at 3AM. lol
William, I liked the TV Amos and Andy and heard the old tapes on radio in the 1960s. I liked the young man that played their almost-attorney. He was great fun.
Compu! - I've heard of the two Renees but have not seen them yet.
kat - Who's on First? is certainly a marvel!
You know who else was funny? - DeForest Kelley and Jimmy Doohan together on Star Trek, especially in The Voyage Home.
I have just remembered the ensemble cast of The Red Green Show from Canada. Some of their skits were pretty funny as well. Their fund raising shows for public TV were the most funny.
Patty,
What a wonderful collection of comedy. I can fondly remember my mother-in-law, who was considerably older than I "belly laughing" to the comedy skit by Laurel and Hardy called the Piano. Likewise, my own mother was in tears over the antics of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman on the Carol Burnett Show. These acts were clean, yet funny. This is timeless comedy at its best. Thanks.
Patty,
BTW- Thumbs up, Dugg and shouted, Mixxed and shared... it was that good!
Oops lol.
I meant the two Ronnies, Ohh, and Morcombe and Wise!, These are the only real comedy duos i think the UK has and created!,
Would the Smothers Brothers count?...comedy was the main focus, the music was just part of their "schtick" like Steve Martin's arrow-through-his-head. Thanks, Torpey, for adding George Burns and Gracie Allen. Life stopped at our house for Carol Burnett Show, so loved your inclusion of Harvey Korman and Tim Conway...even as a kid, We'd all laugh so hard it wasn't hard to imagine "older ladies" suffering incontinence! Fun hub....fun reminders!
WHAT ABOUT Larry, Curly Moe and Shemp? They were a huge comedic force.
In The Doghouse - thanks for spreading around the good humor!
DJ - After I've seen the life-story movie and listened to the interviews and documentaries with Stooges and their families, I still laugh at the Stooges, but the abuse they suffered hangs a black could over it for me. What I REALLY like is that Moe Howard, a Jew, was the first to parody Adolph Hitler on screen. That was both funny AND poetic justice.
Compu - I've still heard of Two Renees, so it must be on late night cable - or maybe YouTube. lol
desert blondie - I like the Smothers Brothers as well.
It wasn't exactly one of my favorites, Patty, but I think Lum and Abner deserve honorable mention. It's unlikely that many of your readers know them, but they can listen to their old radio shows at this site: http://www.freeotrshows.com/otr/l/Lum_And_Abner.ht
Great hub and I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and additions to your list. Sadly, I must be new school because I don't a third of those mentionned (LOL) but I have to check them out. Great clips on the hub. I hadn't seen SPAM for a long time and having a good laugh.
I have never heard Lum and Abner shows and will defintely go to that site, William, although I have heard people mention them as a comedy team.
Does anyone remember Bob & Dave? I saw them only once in a cameo on a 1980s sitcom. One of their sons is Chris Elliott, who has appeared on the Letterman show several times and in films.
tranndee - I have watched a lot of old films and learned about them that way! In addition, some old cartoons re-run on TV contain parodied comedy teams of the 1920s - 1940s. It's fascinating.
What a great hub. I got many laughs and really brought back some memories. Why can't we have more of this type of movies. Just for the fun of it. Thanks for taking me back to the times I used to sit infront of the TV and watch for the old comedy movies. It was an easier time ...a time when we did not have to worry if there was a news allert about some crisis in the world. There is certainly something to be said about those times. Great hub!
My best to you.
These are really good laughs, and uplifting as well!
Yesterday, the school of music at the university gave away older casdette tapes - I chose a set of tapes from the old Bob & Ray radio show of the 1940s-1950s (one of them is the dad of Chris Elliot) and a set of Jack Paar show tapes. They are great!
working
SirDent says:
3 months ago
This is a nice list of the top comedian teams. I like them all especially Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I think you should do an honorable mention for some top teams that didn't make the top 5. Abbot and Costello were also a great comedy team. Of course there were others also more modern age.