Includes bibliographical references (p. 395-400) and index.
Contents:
"I surrounded them!" Charlie Chaplin and Shoulder arms -- Run silent, run shallow: the silent service comedies -- First line of offense: "professional" comedians in talkie service comedies -- Abbott and Costello meet the ripoffs -- Repeated rounds: the "series" films -- You know what sailors are: comedies about the Marines -- You read the book! you loved the play! now see the movie! -- It's still the same old story...sort of: See here, Private Hargrove and Biloxi blues -- Stranger than fiction -- The wheeler dealers -- It ain't stupid if it works: the "misfit-makes-good" comedy -- The children's crusade: military-academy comedies -- "Holy smokes! a dame!": women in the military -- Special ops -- PR/CYA -- The home front -- No laughing matter? comedies about the Civil War and Vietnam -- "One, two three, what are we fighting for?" anti-war and anti-military comedies -- "The mother of all movies": satires and parodies -- Extra added attractions: the cartoons.
Summary:
"Beginning with Charlie Chaplin's Shoulder Arms, released in America near the end of World War I, the military comedy film has been one of Hollywood's most durable genres. This generously illustrated history examines over 225 Army, Navy and Marine-related comedies produced between 1918 and 2009"--Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.