American film comedy is barely a century old and already commentary on it can fill bookshelves, with countless pages devoted to the evolution of physical comedy, the influence of notable comedians ...

“This is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.” Oldsters will remember that line from Oliver Hardy to his comedic partner, Stan Laurel, in many a movie and many a mess from decades ago. It’s what ...

Saul Austerlitz is the author of “Another Fine Mess: A History of American Film Comedy.” His blog posts are appearing this week on The Arty Semite courtesy of the Jewish Book Council and My Jewish ...