Film Language Tag: slapstick
A comedy style emphasizing exaggerated physical, and often violent, humor, such as chases, pratfalls, and seemingly painful antics.
The name derives from a type of paddle, originally called a batte, that was used during rough-and-tumble or knockabout comedy acts popular during the latter part of the 19th century and on into the vaudeville era. The slapstick consisted of two long, flat strips of wood joined at one end. When someone was hit with the slapstick, the two pieces of wood would strike each other with a sharp crack. This loud noise emphasized the physical gag for comic effect. A slapstick is featured prominently in the comedy stage acts presented during the film Scaramouche (1952), sometimes with the addition of black powder between the sticks to emphasize the crack and produce a puff of smoke.
A Big Storm, Steamboat Bill, Jr.
As a cyclone hits the town, William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton) tries to get to his father's ship and the town is destroyed around him.
Bank Robbery, The Bell Boy
Fatty discovers a bellboy (Buster Keaton) and the hotel clerk brawling with robbers at a bank.
Cleaning the Lobby, The Bell Boy
After having talked with Cutie Cuticle, the two bell boys (Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle & Buster Keaton) go pack to work shaving and cleaning the hotel lobby.
Efficiency at Home, The Scarecrow
The farmhand (Buster Keaton) and the farmer (Joe Keaton) sit down to a meal and manipulate their condiments through a system of levers and pulleys.
Efficiency at Mealtime, Modern Times
While working at the factory, the Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) tests a more efficient method of eating.
Fatty Dancing, The Bell Boy
A bellboy (Buster Keaton) swings a broom at a dancing Fatty (Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle).
Fighting Zombies to the Rhythm of Queen, Shaun of the Dead
Shaun (Simon Pegg), his mother (Penelope Wilton) his friend Ed (Nick Frost), his girlfriend Liz(Kate Ashfield), and their acquaintances Dianne (Lucy Davis) and David (Dylan Moran) find themselves facing off against a horde of zombies accompanied by Queen blasting out of a jukebox, which they choreograph their fight to.
Fixing a Clock, The Pawnshop
Pawnshop assistant (Charlie Chaplin) disassembles a customer's alarm clock but in the end informs him it cannot be fixed.
Good Morning, City Lights
After speeches commemorating a new monument to "Peace and Prosperity," the veil reveals the Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) asleep.
Mad Dog, The Scarecrow
The farmhand (Buster Keaton) runs from a dog he believes is rabid.
On the Ice, The Rink
The waiter (Charlie Chaplin) meets a girl (Edna Purviance) at a roller rink and out-skates and outwits Mr. Stout (Eric Campbell).
On the Production Line, Modern Times
The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) gets stuck in his role on the assembly line and suffers a nervous breakdown.
The Oogie Boogie Song, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oogie Boogie (Ken Page) sings to the abducted Santa (Ed Ivory) about his impending doom.
The Waterfall, Our Hospitality
Willie McKay (Buster Keaton) falls off a derailed train into the river. Virginia Canfield (Natalie Talmadge) attempts to save McKay but nearly drowns before McKay can save them both from the waterfall.
