Moviefone: "Most Controversial Comedy Movies"

[JamesG]

Most Controversial Comedy Movies
05/18/12


To prep for the incoming water-cooler-conversation regarding The Dictator, let's take a look at some of cinema's most controversial comedy films.







The Great Dictator (1940)






Charlie Chaplin's most successful film, about a poor Jewish barber who is inadvertently mistaken for a very Hitler-like leader, was one of the first pieces of entertainment to come out against the Nazi regime.

It was banned in many parts of Europe (for obvious reasons).









To Be or Not To Be (1942)






Though now regarded as a comedy classic, this film -- about a group of actors who use their performing skills to evade Nazi troops in occupied Warsaw -- was initially not welcomed by the public.

Supposedly the father of director Ernst Lubitch walked out of the premiere, due to the film's comedic use of Nazis.









Pink Flamingos (1972)






The breakthrough film of cult filmmaker John Waters was a midnight hit with young audiences.

But the story of "the filthiest person alive" -- which features the infamous dog poop-eating scene -- was banned in Australia, Norway and parts of Canada.









Fritz the Cat (1972)






The first X-rated animated film ever, about a hedonistic talking cat in 1960s NYC, suffered public scrutiny and lost advertisers due to the movie's sexual nature.

The comedy went on to become the most successful independent animated film of all time.









Blazing Saddles (1972)






Mel Brooks' Western parody struggled throughout production due to the movie's racial humor, screenwriter Richard Pryor's reputation and a notorious flatulence scene.

Nevertheless, Saddles went on to become one of the first movies to make over $100 million at the box office.









Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)






The religious satire about Brian Cohen, born just next door to Jesus Christ, was banned in several British communities, Ireland and Norway. The film went on to become a box office hit and is regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever.

To this day, it still receives protests when religious leaders screen the film for discussion.









Orgazmo (1997)






Before they became kings with "South Park" and The Book of Mormon, Trey Parker and Matt Stone made this farce about a sensitive Mormon in the adult film industry.

The movie's jokes were so over-the-top, it received an NC-17 rating, crippling its box office performance.









Postal (2008)






The adaptation of the black comedy-action video game from infamous German director Uwe Boll was delayed from release, then lost its deal to open in 1,500 theaters, due to the movie's political humor.

In particular, an opening scene that lampooned 9/11.









Four Lions (2010)






The British satire about angry young Muslims who aspire to become Jihadists -- but go through serious rookie struggles -- was named one of TIME Magazine's best movies of 2010 and earned a BAFTA award for writer/director Chris Morris.

http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16...Great_Dictator

[Torgo]

Robert Crumb hated the film version of Fritz The Cat so much he killed off Fritz in his comic.