A fair amount of thought and research went into the compilation of this list of Top Spring Comedy Movies. One thing I learned is there are not many to recommend. I was prepared to cheat by including bouncy "Gerald McBoing-Boing" (1950), "The Absent Minded Professor" (1961), and "Son of Flubber" (1963). I even found myself perusing the filmography of the actress Spring Byington. Nevertheless, there are seasonal entertainments blossoming with sweetness and buffoonery.
1. "It Happens Every Spring" (1949)
We could load this list with baseball comedies and miss the intent, so here's a hit single. In a smile-filled fantasy from Hollywood's golden age, a chemistry professor (Ray Milland) accidentally creates a liquid solution which repels contact with wood. Realizing baseballs dipped into the formula will never touch baseball bats, he's off to St. Louis to pitch in the major leagues. Jean Peters and Paul Douglas co-star in a script by Valentine Davies ("Miracle on 34th Street," "On the Riviera").
2. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)
High school senior, Ferris Bueller, secretly borrows (i.e. swipes) a Ferrari from his best friend's dad, and with pal and best girl in cahoots, they play hooky and face a string of adventures in sunny Chicago. Meanwhile, the principal and the kid sister go into overdrive to catch the truants in action. Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey, and Jeffrey Jones star in writer-director John Hughes' popular teen comedy, wherein Ferris narrates by talking directly to the audience.3. "Life of Brian" (1979)
"This Monty Python religious parable will probably offend every denomination equally, but it shouldn't," says film critic Leonard Maltin. "Story of a man whose life parallels Christ is the funniest and most sustained feature from Britain's bad boys." You might, however, want to avoid watching it on Easter, especially if there's lightning. The whole Monty Python gang of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle bring Brian of Nazareth to life.4. "Easter Parade" (1948)
A holiday movie for gentler sensibilities, although Fred Astaire's Easter bonnet festooned in the frilly pink ribbon is a horrifying spectacle and may require your consultation with clergy. This colorful MGM musical, full of easy comedy touches and Irving Berlin tunes, is bookended by Easter parades. In the interim, Judy Garland, Ann Miller, and Fred warble and dance through a 1911 romantic triangle. Humorous songs include "Snooky Ookums" and "A Couple of Swells" (with Fred and Judy as hoboes).5. "The Producers" (1968)
Broadway con men scheme to mount the worst play ever doomed to failure, so they can pocket the unspent production funds. Great plan, but there's one small problem. The tasteless Nazi lovefest, "Springtime for Hitler," may be too good for its own bad. Mel Brooks' first feature film, an Oscar-winner for its original script, is a straight, but twisted, comedy of show business and shysters. Ironically, this movie became one of Broadway's biggest successes. Zero Mostel shines and Gene Wilder Blooms.