During the mid 1960s, there was a gradual interest into technology, as it made lives much easier. Since the introduction of colour television, more people began buying television, due its practicality and range of programmes. This invention sparked a range of consumer spending, as many people had white goods, such as a refrigerator, washing machines, cookers and other domestic appliances. Alongside this, the 60s was a time of growth, as many people had access to tape recorders, where music could be listened to on the go and touch tone phones which made communication easier. In addition,'live trans-Atlantic satellite television was made possible in 1962, which enabled people to watch a programmes from the USA.
However, the emergence of technologies such as mobiles , computers and domestic appliances in the 1980s , resulted in comedy films to convey the futility of some of the machines and people's ability ot use complicated manchinery, as signfiied in the 1985 film 'Brazil'.
Though, in regards to British comedy, technology was conveyed in a positive way, with films such as 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines', advocating the early form of aviation and had a nostalgic feel.
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965)
In this particular scene, much of the humour is generated from the fact that most of the men are from the upper class. Moreover, the accent of the men actually connotes how they are more posh and civil. The film is a parody of previous aviation related films and shows the futility of early aircraft.
In regards to context, the film cites the early problems with technology and aviation in particular, as the competitors seem to be involved in trial and error in the practice. As well as this, the presence of physical comedy and trouble is signified, as the planes pail to take off, which connotes how man was getting acquainted with the latest technology of the time.
Though, the humour is generated when the competitors are trying to practice running their aircraft. Funnily enough, their shoddy aircrafts end up becoming broken and frail. The use of facial expressions actually induces comedy, as the panellists are shocked at seeing how the aircraft have engineering problems, as evident with the white aircraft in a long shot, which has weight problems. As the race heats up , there is a evident competition between two nations, as the binary opposition of England and Germany is shown to be more competitive, as they are preparing for a conflict, as signified with the guns. Though, this scene is more comical and reflective of earlier technologies, as the English man in the hot air balloon is competing with a more, rough, older German army general. With the use of sound effect, the humour is generated, as the audience acknowledge how disaster is about to unfold and how the English man with the gun is about to something very rash.
Alongside the conflict in the balloons, the two men in the boat are quarrelling , which escalates to both men arguing and falling over, which shows how they are more eager and excited, which causes laughter. In the balloon, the man tries to aim for the other balloon which he tries to obliterate, as he is trying to cheat. Though he manages to misfire at a man in a plane, which results in the plane crashing , clumsily down in to the water. On the contrary, he does not know that his balloon has bursted from a gun shot, but still smirks at seeing the plane's pilot in the water. Much of the comedy is associated with disaster, as the English man slowly plummets into the water.Therefore, the action codes in this scene relates to slapstick, with physical comedy used to create humour.
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