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Author Topic: Conway and Knotts .. an under appreciated comedy Team!
Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted August 21, 2008 04:10 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I was watching another of thier films last night, and I was struck that Tim Conway and Don Knotts made a very good comedy team, and I can safely say, they were truly the last of the classic comedy teams.

Classic Comedy team? What makes a comedy team classic?

I'm referring to the subject matter of the material. The comedy is largely clean, (potentially a slight shift into naughtiness, but this isn't the norm) and a good deal of old fashioned slapstick.

This was definitely what Conway and Knotts were great at. They did at least four films together as a comedy team ...

The Apple Dumpling Gang (funny)
The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (very funny)
The Prize Fighter (very funny)
The Private Eyes (best of the lot)

also appeared together as police officers in "Cannonball Run 2"

(Please correct me if I've forgotten one)

These were all very old fashioned and light hearted films that would literally offend no one. This was also the turning point from light hearted comedy of the past, to the toliet humor (largely) of the present. It should be noted that nearly all the comedians of the 50's and 60's couldn't make the transition to modern humor, which largely began in the 70's with Mel Brooks classic films, (which appear tame compared to todays films).

But, for a short while, Tim Conway and Don Knotts carried on that old fashioned wonderful humor.

Don knotts (If I'm correct) died a few years back. Tim Conway toured for years with another of his old "partners in crime", Harvey Corman, who died just recently, and toured with Conway almost until the end, (thier last tour being just last year!).

I actually got a REAL signed autograph from Tim Conway in the mid-eighties, and I treasure it.

Hears to Tim Conway and Don Knotts, the last of the classic comedy teams!!

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Charles Bramlett
Junior
Posts: 25
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Registered: Aug 2008


 - posted August 21, 2008 05:17 PM      Profile for Charles Bramlett   Email Charles Bramlett   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Agreed 100% Those guys were fabulous together as well as on their own.

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Chip Gelmini
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1733
From: Brooksville, FL
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 22, 2008 09:23 PM      Profile for Chip Gelmini     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
There is a print of super 8 optical, THE BILLION DOLLAR HOBO it comes up on used lists from time to time. Tim Conway plays the lead character.

cg

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Robert Aragon
Master Film Handler

Posts: 264
From: Santa Fe
Registered: Mar 2004


 - posted August 22, 2008 09:37 PM      Profile for Robert Aragon   Email Robert Aragon   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
One of the perks of my business is meeting some of my idols. Don knotts was certainly one of them. I was at a party at the Magic Castle and LO, there he WAS! WOW....I was introduced and I automatically said "you're one of my comedy Gods"
He laughed, we chatted about things..he was a VERY mellow, sweet and GENTLE man. I did reiterate that he truly was in my estimation, one of the comedy giants.He said "thank you Rob, But you want to know WHO truly is the funniest man alive"......Tim Conway". He proceeded in telling anecdotes and laughing out loud! Clearly they were good friends and enjoyed each others talents.
One of the highlights in my life was spending time with that man. One of the funniest men ever.

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Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted August 22, 2008 11:09 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Wow Robert! What a wonderful story! When did you meet him. Did he pass away? (Don Knotts, that is) I really don't remember. I would love to meet Tim Conway.

Yes Chip, I have a print of that film, "Billion Dollar Hobo"
It is definitely in that classification of comedies that are
gentle and definitely family friendly.

I noticed that when Conway or Knotts would deviate from clean comedy into dirty humor, ("The Longshot" 1989 is an example of that, as well as one of Tim Conway's last starring features) It didn't go over well.

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Michael O'Regan
Film God

Posts: 3085
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Oct 2007


 - posted August 23, 2008 02:46 AM      Profile for Michael O'Regan   Email Michael O'Regan   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I've been watching a lot of the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW re-runs on TV lately and, yes, Don Knotts is a funny guy.

-Mike

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Robert Aragon
Master Film Handler

Posts: 264
From: Santa Fe
Registered: Mar 2004


 - posted August 24, 2008 07:12 PM      Profile for Robert Aragon   Email Robert Aragon   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
hey Osi,
Sir Dear Don is no longer with us. That particular party was in 2001 december of. A sweet gentle man.
I believe he passed away, ummm, I want to say 2 years ago now.
yrs, Rob

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Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted August 24, 2008 08:36 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I forgot to mention Tim Conway's last major money making venture, (and quite funny).

His collection of "Dorf" videos he made for direct to video, two surrounding golf ventures, and there was a very funny one of "Dorf at the Olympics" as well. It was a funny little fellow
that had very short legs, (actually, it was an elevated stage with holes that Tim would put his legs through, up to his knees,
and he would have shoes on his knees, making it look like short legs, and it worked very well!

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Charles Bramlett
Junior
Posts: 25
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Registered: Aug 2008


 - posted August 24, 2008 10:13 PM      Profile for Charles Bramlett   Email Charles Bramlett   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Dorf on golf was actually my first introduction to the work of Mr. Conway. That video was hilarious.

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