Instructions
Pick three films from three different eras (for example, silent era, Classical Hollywood, and contemporary)
All three films should have a common element. Examples include:
The same subgenre (slapstick, parody, satire, dark comedy, etc.)
The same approach to comedy, based on the major theories of comedy
All three address issues of gender, sexuality, and/or race
The same character type (unruly woman, anarchistic comic, etc.)
Your thesis should make an argument for how the comedic element has evolved in relation to film industry trends (technology, censorship, etc.), as well as shifts in American culture and values.
You will need to do some outside research about the films, as well as the historical context. The Library can help you with research if you’re not sure how to st