wpainterw

My wife and I have been watching old W.C.Fields and Charlie Chaplin movies, like Fields in “The Fatal Glass of Beer” (with the sobbing Canadian Mounted Policeman in full regalia) and Chaplin in “The Great Dictator'). I suspect that many of the younger folk these days have rarely or never heard of some of these films. Since I was born in 1927 I can never forget them. Fields, for example (reported to have been a gin lover, having complained when he took a swig out of a Thermos bottle which he had smuggled into a movie set, “Who put orange juice into my “orange juice”). Or Chaplin with his Hitler take off where, posing as “Hinkle” he fantisized about world domination and entertained Jack Oakie as Benzino Napaloni, Dictator of Bacteria, by engaging in a sphagetti fight.
Recovering alcoholics might be particularly interested in W.C. Fields “Fatal Glass of Beer”. Not only was Fields an alcoholic but he was a multitasker, compulsive and getting into trouble by trying to do too many things all at once. (See “The Dentist”). And he seemed perpetually frustrated by what might be called “the conspiracy of inanimate objects” (see his take on golfing in the “Golf Specialist”). Recovering alcoholics often learn that “Easy Does It” “One thing at a time” help a lot. He’s perpetually confused and has bypassed all serenity.
So why not get some old W.C.Fields and Chaplin movies. I know one thing, that recovering alcoholics feel increasingly happy with growing sobriety. And they laugh a lot! Alcoholism is no laughing matter but they laugh because the’re gradually getting well, finding their old selves again.

W

least

I was born in 51 but I've seen my share of Fields and Chaplin movies. I like their style of humor.

Dee74

I'm a big fan of silents and early talkies Bill. Good timeless stuff

D

Horn95

I’m more of a post-1980 comedy fan. Dave Chappell and Eddy Izard are my favorite stand ups who are still alive. But no one can beat Richard Pryor

tekink

Richard Pryor is funny! I was a little too young when my dad took me to see Stir Crazy but I loved it nonetheless!

I watched a Steve Martin, Martin Short show on Netflix the other night and it was awesome. Steve Martin always made me laugh.

D122y

wpaint,

I find myself just smiling and being happy for no reason.

Just wiping the kitchen counter...smiling.

Thanks.

wpainterw

“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”


― Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche

W.

least

wpainterw

P.S. Chaplin was the greatest humorist of them all. Next comes Buster Keaton. Then W.C.Fields. They don't make 'em like that anymore!
I love the laughter in AA meetings! They're happy and enjoy being good comrades in recovery!

Bill

whopper

I used to watch the tv show named The Trailer Park Boys. The show takes place in a Canadian trailer park and the plot usually involves acquiring booze and drugs. Some characters are drunk throughout the entire show. Its quite a funny show but I don't watch it anymore since it revolves around drinking.

Sober369

My grandson and I love to watch funny kitty videos on youtube. We started when he was only about 9 months old. He would laugh so hard I worried he would pop! And I would be laughing just as hard, but as much at him as the kitties. We now have our own kitten, and laugh at her.
This is a great thing to remember. Laughter is the best medicine!
I also love Monty Python.
I think I may add this to my recovery plan!

whopper

I also use to watch Seinfeld. I found it to be one of the funniest sitcoms ever which can really take your mind off of things.

iwilltryagain

I am not going to take 1927 literally, you would be 91 now...Regardless, thank you sir for sharing.....

wpainterw

I am indeed 91. I can supply a birth certificate. It is certified by the State of Pennsylvania indicating that I was born around 2:00 a.m. at McGee Hospital in Pittsburgh.. It is not a "forged" Birth Certificate. I was not born elsewhere, such as in Kenya. If you still do not believe this I have a copy of my baby footprints taken right after my arrival in the hospital delivery room. I hesitate to post them on this website but if you send me a PM I will reply by giving you my home address and you can visit me, read the documents, meet my dog. He trusts me, If he gets a dog biscuit.

Bill

iwilltryagain

wpainterw sir - I totally trust you. No need for any of those ...

You are such an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for sharing...we have a lot to learn from you.

wpainterw

My earliest memory was in 1929 when I was about two years old. I had pneumonia and they put electrically heated packs to my chest and back. These were connected to a sort of trunk underneath the bedroom window. I didn't die. I lived at least 89 more years. To the best of my knowledge I'm still alive. But I could be wrong. I get things sort of mixed up these days.

W.