The Top 10 Comedic Period Movies

I love comedies and I love Period Pieces but Period Pieces are often pegged at dramas but there are quite a few Period films that are humorous, witty and just downright silly.

A Period film is a film that is set in the past and it tries to re-create that world with props, setting and costumes.

This is page is a list of the Top Ten Comedic Period Film. To be on this list the movie must be set in the a specific time period and has to be funny. And while humor is subjective this List runs the gambit of witty and silliness. Please Enjoy!

(Picture is of Cleavon Little and Gene Wider from Blazing Saddles)

List is subject to change

Emma

Emma is a charming, witty and light-hearted film based on Jane Austen's Classic Novel by the same name. It about a young lady, Emma Woodhouse played by Gwyneth Paltrow, who tries to play matchmaker and it all goes wrong in humorous ways.

Emma was the basis for the 1995 film, Clueless.

The Importance of being Ernest

Another movie of the witty variety of humor. The Importance of being Ernest was originally by Oscar Wilde and is the tale of lost identity, love and honesty.

The characters are likable and charming and you really want everything to work out for them.

Topsy Turvy

Topsy Turvy is the story of Gilbert and Sullivan and how they came to create the much beloved Mikado.

It not your typically period piece as it's not about love or money or the combo. This movie is rich and humorous that bring the theatre world of the 1880's allow as well as the Mikado.

An Ideal Husband

Another film based on Oscar Wilde. An Ideal Husband is a story about love, scandal and witty banter.

The Witty banter makes this movie as there are a ton quote "To love oneself is the being of a lifelong romance."

Clue

This smart and quite silly an witty movie is about Blackmail and murder is oddly based on the classic who-done-it board game. This film was set in the 1950s and gives ever character a motive.

Clue does a great job of balancing witty humor with pure comedic slapstick. Plus it was one of the few films to have three endings. There is some talk of a remake.

Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles spoofs western films. It one of Mel Brooks' most beloved films. It's full of laughs and silly moments.

But the film hasn't aged well and has other problems like the ending. But all in all it a movie that is funny and spoofs the western genre very well.

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Monty Python's Life of Brian is silly, zany, whacky and wonderful. It parodies biblical stories in the way that only Monty Python can.

Gotta love that ending song, it's the perfect ending.

Young Frankenstein

Another Classic movie by the master of spoofs, Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein spoofs monster movie from the 1930s. Unlike Blazing Saddle, Young Frankenstein has ages a bit better as it uses classic movie tropes. I love the Puttin' on the Ritz scene, Classic.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

There is no denying Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the silliest movies ever made. The whacky antics never ebb in this one. It parodies King Arthur and Medieval films all while making fun of films in general like with the models, the sound effect horse, etc.

There is no limit to utter absurdity in this one.

Stiff Upper Lips

Stiff Upper Lips is a British Film that parodies British Period Films, Merchant of Ivory films in particular.

I first saw this little known and unrated movie on Masterpiece Theater. All the characters are pretty much insane or mad in this one even the seemingly normal ones. The film has lots of humorous banter, sight gags, and a lot of absurdity. Stiff Upper Lips doesn't let up on the humor it chock-full it.

The variety of different types of humor plus that fact that it does have a plot makes this one the best Comedic Period Movies and I highly recommend it.