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The action comedy genre has been around for nearly a century, with Buster Keaton’s “The General” often considered the first film in this category. Action comedies typically combine fast-paced action with humor and silliness, and the action is usually lighthearted, with minimal violence or injuries. Each decade has seen its share of memorable action-comedy movies, but the 1970s stand out as a particularly fun and entertaining era.
During the ’70s, filmmakers also invested significant effort in creating well-crafted storylines. As a result, many films from that time feature compelling plots with clever twists, strong character development, and satisfying conclusions. Here are some of the finest examples of action comedy films from the 1970s.
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10 Best Action Comedy Movies of the 1970s
Hooper (1978)
In the movie “Hooper,” the main character, Sonny Hooper (played by Burt Reynolds), has faced the consequences of his years of daring and reckless stunts in Hollywood. He decides to take on one final job before retiring, with the aim of making it the most memorable stunt of his career. However, he encounters challenges along the way, including a director who dislikes him and a newcomer in the stunt department who poses a competitive threat.
What Makes the Movie Notable: “Hooper” doesn’t rely on random humor but instead uses humor that enhances the storyline. For example, Sonny’s doctor humorously tells him that if he were a horse, he would be put down, highlighting the need for Sonny to take it easy. This moment marks the beginning of his efforts to relax and take better care of himself.
Additionally, the film showcases Sonny’s endearing delusions, such as when he proudly shows a reel of his greatest stunts to his guests, only for them to fall asleep. Beyond its entertainment value, “Hooper” stands out as one of the most authentic portrayals of the lives of stunt performers. It also introduced the innovative concept of using a blooper reel during the credits, a decision that paid off well at the box office, as evidenced by its high success.
Drunken Master (1978)
In the first act of Drunken Master, Freddie Wong finds himself in a series of troublesome situations, including accidentally seducing his cousin and getting into a fight with the powerful man’s son. Frustrated by his mischievous behavior, his father decides to send him for martial arts training under the legendary Beggar So, despite the reputation of Beggar So for being tough on his students. Initially, Wong attempts to escape this fate, but a dangerous encounter with a criminal changes his mind, and he ultimately decides to learn the necessary martial arts skills from Beggar So.
What Makes It Outstanding: Drunken Master is the film that catapulted Jackie Chan to global stardom, showcasing his unique slapstick fighting style in an innovative way, making it feel fresh and not repetitive as it might in some of his later works. This movie is where Chan introduced the blueprint for combining martial arts and comedy in the genre.
While there had been moments of humor in previous action films featuring Asian actors, Chan seamlessly blended comedy and intense action, setting a new standard. Beyond its lasting impact, this action-comedy film is filled with numerous unforgettable scenes, including Freddie Wong’s training montage as he masters the fundamentals of the Drunken Boxing discipline known as “The Eight Drunken Immortals.”
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Smokey and the Bandit features high stakes and a compelling storyline. Big Enos Burdette, an Atlanta tycoon, insists on serving a specific beer when his favorite racer wins, even though it’s banned in the state. To get this beer, crime legend Bo “Bandit” Darville is offered $80,000 to transport 400 cases from Texarkana to Atlanta in under 28 hours. Things become more complicated when a runaway bride, scheduled to marry the Sheriff’s son, joins Bandit in his car.
What makes the movie great is the constant tension due to the tight deadline and the unexpected marital twist. Sheriff Buford T. Justice, a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage, goes after the bride as if she were a criminal, quickly realizing that Bandit is involved in illegal activities beyond just transporting the bride.
Moreover, Burt Reynolds delivers one of his finest performances, portraying a character who seamlessly switches between confidence and focus and moments of franticness.
Crime Busters (1977)
The protagonists of Crime Busters, portrayed by the iconic comedy duo of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, find themselves in an interesting twist of fate. Originally seeking employment as longshoremen and facing rejection from various employers, they resort to a misguided attempt to rob a supermarket. However, due to their lack of research, they inadvertently end up at a police station instead. In a desperate bid to avoid incarceration, they pretend to be interested in becoming police officers and are subsequently enrolled in a training program.
What Makes It Outstanding Crime Busters stands out as a film that achieved the prestigious Golden Screen Award, reserved for movies with over three million ticket sales in under 18 months. The film’s appeal is evident in its blend of witty humor, coupled with thrilling action sequences featuring unconventional tactics like wrecking criminals’ vehicles with forklifts and engaging in shootouts while riding motorcycles. The endearing nature of the two main characters further makes it easy for the audience to cheer for them, even when they employ highly unorthodox methods to apprehend wrongdoers.
Dolemite (1975)
“Dolemite” features the eponymous character, a pimp and nightclub owner, who ends up in prison due to a setup orchestrated by his rivals and corrupt police officers. Fortunately, he receives an early release to assist authorities in tackling the drug problem. Upon his return, he delivers a hilariously cheesy line to announce his comeback: “I’m here to let everyone know that I am Dolemite, and taking down bad guys is my specialty!” He embarks on a quest to restore his reputation and seek vengeance against those who ruined his life.
What Makes It Outstanding Dolemite isn’t your typical solo action hero who can handle everything by himself. He frequently seeks assistance and has a team of karate-trained allies to confront formidable adversaries. His character exhibits qualities similar to T’Challa, not only in his principles but also in his relationships with women. Over time, Dolemite has become a cultural icon, frequently referenced in hip-hop songs. Rudy Ray Moore, the actor portraying Dolemite, has his biographical story depicted in one of Eddie Murphy’s most comical films, “Dolemite is My Name.”
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Watch Out, We’re Mad! (1974)
Marcello Fondato’s film “Watch Out, We’re Mad!” centers on two racing drivers who end up tied in a race and receive a Puma dune buggy as a prize. As they attempt to figure out how to share the buggy, a group of mobster henchmen destroy it, leading to the drivers’ anger. In response, they decide to confront the crime boss and demand a replacement, but instead, he sends his men to deal with them. This sets off a cat-and-mouse game, with the two men determined to prove their toughness in various comedic situations.
What Makes It Outstanding: Similar to other successful action-comedy movies, “Watch Out, We’re Mad!” keeps the audience constantly engaged, offering no respite. Whether it’s a comical brawl in a gym or a quirky hot dog eating contest, the main characters find themselves in awkward predicaments as they seek compensation for their destroyed buggy. Importantly, they don’t engage in direct fights with their adversaries; instead, they focus on evading them and making them appear foolish, much like the approach taken by Kevin McCallister in the “Home Alone” films.
While there is a recent remake of the movie available on Netflix, the original version surpasses it in terms of quality.
Grand Theft Auto (1977)
It’s unfortunate that Ron Howard’s “Grand Theft Auto” has been overshadowed by the video game of the same name. The film is undeniably one of the funniest ever made, featuring a storyline centered around Paula, a young woman who defies her parents by taking off with her fiancé, Sam, in her parents’ Rolls-Royce and heading to Vegas. Her father, in an attempt to stop the marriage, offers a $25,000 reward to anyone who can find the runaway couple.
Why It’s Remarkable: Despite being underrated, “Grand Theft Auto” stands out as one of the most entertaining films in the car chase genre. The couple has to contend with a diverse array of pursuers, causing viewers to become anxious and deeply concerned about their fate. This includes bounty hunters, a lawman who has hijacked a bus full of senior citizens, an heir whom the woman’s father sees as the perfect suitor, and a couple of hot-rodders.
Despite the peril they face, the two protagonists always manage to find enjoyment in their adventure. In particular, Sam engages in self-mockery, often making lighthearted comments like, “Once there was a girl from LA, determined to go all the way. Her mother shouted ‘No!’ Her father cried ‘Whoa.’ But they got married on a sunny day in May.”
Silver Streak (1976)
In the first part of the movie “Silver Streak,” book editor George Caldwell, portrayed by Gene Wilder, experiences a series of fortunate events. He meets an attractive woman on a train who reciprocates his romantic advances, and things seem to be going well for him. However, the situation takes a dramatic turn when a murder occurs on the train, the woman is abducted, and George is wrongly accused of the crimes. Determined to save his newfound love and clear his name, he forms an unlikely partnership with a car thief after leaving the train.
What Makes the Film Outstanding: The movie boasts a highly skilled ensemble cast, with each actor capitalizing on their strengths. For instance, Richard Pryor, widely recognized as one of the greatest stand-up comedians, is talkative and engaging in his role as the car thief. Jill Clayburgh effortlessly transitions between playing a seductive character and a vulnerable damsel in distress. While the action sequences may lack some modern polish, they remain commendable for the time period in which they were executed.
The In-Laws (1979)
Arthur Hiller’s The In-Laws begins with New York dentist Sheldon “Shelly” Kornpett suspecting that the father of his daughter’s fiancé isn’t who he says he is. He soon learns that the man is a CIA agent, and before he knows it, Shelly is forced to serve as his sidekick on a number of missions. As expected, he isn’t too comfortable with his new assignments.
Why It’s Great
The dialogue, the chemistry, and the adventures are worth sticking around for. Each scene brilliantly sets up the following one. Before he knows it, Shelly finds himself in the South American nation of Tijuara, and when he asks why victims of firing squads have no blindfolds on, he is told the government has become too poor to afford them. All the money has been wasted on things such as gold seats and a pool-per-room for the dictator.
Crazy Mama (1975)
Jonathan Demme’s “Crazy Mama” revolves around the character Melba Stokes, a beauty parlor owner who, in response to her landlord’s attempt to repossess her belongings, embarks on a journey with her child and mother to Arkansas to reclaim a family property. To fund their dream, they resort to robbing people along the way.
What Makes the Film Outstanding The film’s dialogue strikes a balance between self-reflection and humor. For instance, there’s a memorable scene where the mother humorously questions the appeal of looking like an “in-law” while contemplating the outlaw lifestyle. The movie combines moments of poignancy with wild and chaotic antics like non-stop yelling during their travels and disputes over roles in their small-scale heists, creating a unique and enjoyable experience.
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