American Comedy and Issues of Social Class in America

American Comedy and Issues of Social Class in America

Issues of the social class have been an important element of American

film comedies. Since the silent era until the current day, comedy

films tend to focus on many contemporary common social class issues in

America.

During the silent era of film, the three well known comedians, Charles

Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. Throughout his films,

Chaplin's character is portrayed as a lower-class man, who is trying

to climb the social ladder and better his position in society. His

dress reflects his attempt to give the appearance of higher social

status. His costume has all the elements of a gentleman, however his

appearance is ridiculous because the pieces of his suit do not fit

together. He wears a bowler hat, and carries a cane, as gentlemen do,

but his coat is too tight, his pants are too large, and his shoes are

too large - like a clown's. His mustache also gives the impression of

an upper-class man, in modern style, but the sophisticated look

differs from the long beards of the older, wealthy elite.

In his hit film "immigrant" Chaplin plays the role of a European

immigrant to America. Chaplin attempts to obtain a new life for

himself by coming to America. He is a poor immigrant, but tries to

appear to be of a higher class in order to impress a woman on board

the ship. First he gambles to get more money, intending to keep it for

himself, but he ends by giving it to the woman, thus giving her the

impression that he is a man of means. Later in the film, they meet

again in a restaurant, where he attempts to imitate the manners of a

gentleman. He uses his silverware, but he u...

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Therefore, from the characters of Chico and Harpo to Groucho to

Rudolpho, all class classes are displaced in this film. Also, the film

shows how each of the classes influence and affect one another.

Patterns between the films:

* In each of the films, the male character is of a lower class than

the female that he is trying to impress. (Groucho/Mrs.Claypool;

Peter Warne/Ellen Andrews; Charlie Chaplin/Mrs. Moneybags)

* Conflict between lovers and other characters is motivated by

issues involving class differences.

* Chaplin and It Happened One Night shows people of an even lower

class than the hero, making the hero of a superior status at

specific points throughout the film. (Chaplin stealing food for

starving street woman, Peter Warne giving money to the boy on the

bus)