First Kung Fu Comedy?

jrcma · 02-09-2012, 11:25 AM

What is the earliest Kung Fu Comedy?
I hear THE SPIRITUAL BOXER referred to as the first Kung Fu surly these people are talk about Shapes as clear THE WAY OF THE DRAGON is a comedy?
Are there any Comedy Shapes before THE SPIRITUAL BOXER?
& Are there any Martial Art Comedy before THE WAY OF THE DRAGON?
& when saying "Kung Fu Comedy" are they on about shapes or Martial Art films of any type?

Apanblod · 02-09-2012, 11:41 PM

I never thougt of The Way of the Dragon as a comedy, only unintentionally and hilariously so. Sure, it's obviously not played completely straight, but the underlying tone of the film is obviously serious, at least to me.

To my knowledge, although admittedly limited regarding pre-1977 kung fu movies, The Spiritual Boxer is the first Kung Fu Comedy. I've heard the Karl Maka-movie The Good, the Bad and the Loser being cited as the first Kung Fu comedy, but it was released in 1976, and I would definitely consider Spiritual Boxer a comedy. However, the focus in SB is definitely on comedy, and although the end fight is very good, there's really not that much kung fu in it, so I wouldn't necessarily label it a kung fu movie.

shukocarl · 02-10-2012, 12:44 PM

1974's Wits to Wits(John Woo Directed) is humour-filled from start to finish. Surely that has to be a contender for the 1st KF Comedy.

peringaten · 02-10-2012, 01:54 PM

Call Me Dragon was also '74, that one proper yuks it up.

'Way' had some very intentional pretty smart cross cutural comedy to start! The toilet scene stands out... the soup bit, Bruce's attitudes to some landmarks, etc., witty culture clash stuff. But agree of course overall tone is more serious.

I guess when people think kung comedy they think buffoonery... Bruce's Way toilet gag was generally way smarter compared to the ott toilet humour of later!

sigis1 · 02-11-2012, 06:46 PM

Has anybody seen this? Its described as a comedy from 1969.

Bruce · 02-12-2012, 01:09 AM

Does anyone remember any of Jim Kelly's movies? I'm not sure if the comedy in movies like Black Belt Jones or Hot Potato ( was that an actual title? I think I'm remembering it correctly) was intentional, but certainly no one could've been expected to think of Jim's movies as serious dramas!

02-09-2012, 11:25 AM	#1
jrcma Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: England. Posts: 1,315	First Kung Fu Comedy? What is the earliest Kung Fu Comedy? I hear THE SPIRITUAL BOXER referred to as the first Kung Fu surly these people are talk about Shapes as clear THE WAY OF THE DRAGON is a comedy? Are there any Comedy Shapes before THE SPIRITUAL BOXER? & Are there any Martial Art Comedy before THE WAY OF THE DRAGON? & when saying "Kung Fu Comedy" are they on about shapes or Martial Art films of any type? __________________ My youtube:http://www.youtube.com/user/Mafilmfanvids

02-09-2012, 11:41 PM	#2
Apanblod Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Posts: 118	I never thougt of The Way of the Dragon as a comedy, only unintentionally and hilariously so. Sure, it's obviously not played completely straight, but the underlying tone of the film is obviously serious, at least to me. To my knowledge, although admittedly limited regarding pre-1977 kung fu movies, The Spiritual Boxer is the first Kung Fu Comedy. I've heard the Karl Maka-movie The Good, the Bad and the Loser being cited as the first Kung Fu comedy, but it was released in 1976, and I would definitely consider Spiritual Boxer a comedy. However, the focus in SB is definitely on comedy, and although the end fight is very good, there's really not that much kung fu in it, so I wouldn't necessarily label it a kung fu movie. __________________ Brother Wang, your brother died in the house of traps!

02-11-2012, 06:46 PM	#5
sigis1 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bronx, N.Y. Posts: 14	Mad Mad Sword - 1969 Has anybody seen this? Its described as a comedy from 1969.

02-12-2012, 01:09 AM	#6
Bruce Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 137	Well, they may not be the first... Does anyone remember any of Jim Kelly's movies? I'm not sure if the comedy in movies like Black Belt Jones or Hot Potato ( was that an actual title? I think I'm remembering it correctly) was intentional, but certainly no one could've been expected to think of Jim's movies as serious dramas!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-10-2012, 12:44 PM	#3
shukocarl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: St. Helens, U.K. Posts: 587	1974's Wits to Wits(John Woo Directed) is humour-filled from start to finish. Surely that has to be a contender for the 1st KF Comedy.

02-10-2012, 01:54 PM	#4
peringaten Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 708	Call Me Dragon was also '74, that one proper yuks it up. 'Way' had some very intentional pretty smart cross cutural comedy to start! The toilet scene stands out... the soup bit, Bruce's attitudes to some landmarks, etc., witty culture clash stuff. But agree of course overall tone is more serious. I guess when people think kung comedy they think buffoonery... Bruce's Way toilet gag was generally way smarter compared to the ott toilet humour of later!