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slapstick |
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slapstickComedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to strike another. Slapstick comedy became popular in 19th-century music halls and vaudeville theatres and was carried into the 20th century by silent-movie comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops and later by Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, and the Three Stooges. slapstick 1. a. comedy characterized by horseplay and physical action b. (as modifier): slapstick humour 2. a flexible pair of paddles bound together at one end, formerly used in pantomime to strike a blow to a person with a loud clapping sound but without injury How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Lots of physical slapstick with this one along with plenty of colorful, wacky characters to go along with Chester. it should be noted that ``The Simpsons Movie'' will be rated PG-13 (``we hope,'' Groening jokes), feature every character in Springfield's vast universe (right down to Itchy & Scratchy and the Bumblebee Man) and attempt to strike a balance between Homer's slapstick stupidity and character-based comedy. Beneath the slapstick and the wish-fulfillment lies a deftly handled tale of childhood fears and a touching portrait of two relationships, a boy and his sad-sack single dad, and a boy and his kindly, supportive friend. |
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