We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
274 COMEDY a comedy with a sound idea and definite purpose, and it was through reaction from the chase that the first of the real comedies came into being. Motion pictures were beginning to appeal to persons of intel- ligence ; the dramatic plays were gaining in plot and finish, and comedy of the true sort came into being. 10. It is human nature to laugh at the misfortune of others if the misfortune is not attended by serious results. We laugh when we see a man fall on the icy pavement. In the first place his violent efforts to keep or regain his balance are ludicrous and in addition there is a feeling of superiority in the thought that we are keeping on our feet. But if the man should break an arm or leg or fracture his skull, laughter is banished in an instant and we hasten to his aid, all con- cern and sympathy. We laugh at the man who slips on the ice, but it is a momentary and trivial laugh unless the fall leads to other and more lasting consequences. 11. A man falling brings a laugh that is closely akin to shock just as women laugh the loudest when on the stage men in women's clothes raise their skirts. They are not amused. A moment later they may be angered, but they are shocked by the unexpected and find relief in mechanical laughter. There is no mirth. On the other hand if the man falling on the ice leads to some other development then his fall becomes really funny because it contributes to the plot. If we are interested in Jack, who has just been kicked out of Mabel's house by her irate father and the latter is racing down the walk to administer one more kick, then if he steps on little Bobby's express wagon lying in the path and does a somersault, we not only laugh because his actions are amusing but .because he has only his violent temper to blame and because the accident gives Jack a chance to make his escape. 12. From this example, it will be seen that a comedy action de- rives its main appeal through its relation to the plot. Also we per- ceive that it does not have to be as closely connected with the plot as dramatic action. It is not essential that the father should fall to carry on the story. He might be outdistanced or be seized with a rheumatic twinge, but he must be stopped in some manner, and the fall is more amusing to the sight than the rheumatism or the lack of speed and so that is used in preference. It would be sufficient to the plot that the father fails to catch Jack, but the more humorous and amusing the action in which the fact is told the more sprightly and acceptable does the comedy become. 13. If instead of the wagon we planned to have INIabel throw a fruit skin in her parent's path or toss a stick between his feet, trip- ping up the old gentleman, then the situation would be even more amusing though the fall would remain the same. 14. Writing comedy action is more an accomplishment than a gift. An author may have a keen sense of the humorous and still be unable to find expression for this humor in proper action until he has trained himself to think in comedy action. But once the trick is