Comedians select films for Barbican's 'This Made Me Laugh' season

This Made Me Laugh

The Barbican, the London-based arts organisation, has invited eight names from the world of comedy to select and introduce their favourite humorous films. The selected movies will form the 'This Made Me Laugh' film season this April.

The venue confirms: "The Barbican has invited eight comedians, writers and producers to choose and introduce the film that left them so creased up with laughter they missed the next line!"

The selections include cult classics and Wild West satire, through to crime capers and screwball comedy.

Those involved in picking the movies include TV stars Miranda Hart and Lenny Henry and top producer John Lloyd. The full-line up is below...


Meet David Sedaris. David Sedaris. Copyright: Giddy Goat Productions / Boomerang

David Sedaris - True Grit (Friday 10th April)

Radio 4 star David Sedaris has selected The Coen Brothers' 2010 project True Grit. This Oscar-nominated film focuses on Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who is quite unlike other 14-year-olds; she's steely, clever and determined to hunt down her father's murderer. The Barbican will show the 35mm print version.


The News Quiz. John Lloyd. Copyright: BBC

John Lloyd - The Naked Gun (Saturday 11th April)

Blackadder and QI producer John Lloyd will introduce The Naked Gun. The 1980s crime spoof follows Detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Neilsen) as he tries to foil the plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Will Drebin manage to foil the plans of the main suspect, Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalbán)?


Lenny Henry

Lenny Henry - Blazing Saddles (Saturday 11th April)

This is Lenny Henry's favourite comedy film. Nominated for three Academy Awards, this classic 1974 comedy western is arguably the finest cinematic hour of legendary Mel Brooks. It focuses on what happens after a corrupt State Attorney General convinces the Governor of the town to appoint an African-American sheriff, in the hopes that the townspeople will be so offended they will vacate the area... making way for a new railroad track. Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little star alongside Brooks.


The Mitch Benn Music Show. Mitch Benn. Copyright: BBC

Mitch Benn - This Is Spinal Tap (Sunday 12th April)

Prepare to turn the volume 'up to 11' on the Sunday, when The Barbican plays back Now Show star Mitch Benn's selection. The 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap chronicles the hapless American comeback tour of semi-forgotten British rockers. The venue says: "Over 30 years old, its satirical edge has not dimmed and despite being endlessly quoted, its long list of one-liners and crass song lyrics still sparkle."


Twenty Twelve. Kay Hope (Amelia Bullmore). Copyright: BBC

Amelia Bullmore - Bullets Over Broadway (Monday 13th April)

Twenty Twelve star Amelia Bullmore will be introducing Woody Allen's 1994 film. This Oscar award winning crime-comedy follows the plight of struggling playwright David Shayne (John Cusack) as he attempts bring his play to life on late 1920's Broadway.


My Hero: Miranda Hart On Eric Morecambe. Miranda Hart. Copyright: BBC

Miranda Hart - Clockwise (Tuesday 14th April)

Miranda Hart put forward the 1986 movie Clockwise as her favourite comedy film. John Cleese stars as pompous, uncompromising school headmaster Brain Stimpson. When the teacher leaves for Norwich to give an important address at the annual headmaster's conference, a simple journey becomes a hapless expedition across the Midlands countryside.


Caryn Mandabach

Caryn Mandabach - To Be or Not To Be (Wednesday 15th April)

Caryn Mandabach, the producer behind US shows like Roseanne and That 70's Show, will be at the Barbican to introduce the 1942 film from Ernst Lubistch. Described as an offering that "brings the energy and fizz of the screwball comedy to a sharp political satire", To Be or Not To Be stars Jack Benny and Carole Lombard as married actors who, when Hitler's troops invade, must, with the rest of their company, give the performances of their lives to save pilot Robert Stack and the Polish resistance from Nazi spies.


Jon Ronson

Jon Ronson - The Graduate (Thursday 16th April)

The 'This Made Me Laugh' season will conclude with the landmark 1967 film The Graduate. Jon Ronson will appear by Skype to explain why it's his favourite comedy film. This is the movie which made a star of Dustin Hoffman. He plays a confused college boy who is seduced by an older married woman (Anne Bancroft).


To find out more about 'This Made Me Laugh' and to book tickets visit barbican.org.uk

Published: Friday 27th March 2015

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