How a failed bank robber’s life became the blueprint for modern slapstick comedy
In short: Released in 1969, Woody Allen’s Take the Money and Run pioneered the mockumentary format to turn a criminal’s life into a relentless string of gags. By subverting the seriousness of documentary filmmaking, Allen created a template for slapstick that would eventually influence iconic comedies like Airplane! and the Naked Gun series.
The film follows the life of Virgil Starkwell, an inept criminal whose attempts at robbery are consistently thwarted by his own incompetence. Whether he is trying to hold up a bank with a note that no one can read or attempting to escape prison with a soap-carved gun that melts in the rain, Starkwell’s life is defined by failure. These misadventures serve as a vehicle for a rapid-fire succession of jokes, fulfilling Allen’s goal of making every inch of the movie a laugh.
Allen’s decision to direct the film himself was a pivotal moment in his career. After working as a supporting actor on the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale, he felt the production was chaotic and uncontrolled. He initially hoped to have Jerry Lewis direct his first starring role, but when that proved impossible, he took the reins. He later noted that this was the first time he felt he had truly written and directed a picture to the best of his ability, establishing a manic, slapstick style that would define his early work.
The mockumentary format was central to the film's success. By adopting the serious, objective tone of a documentary, Allen created a stark contrast with the absurdity of Starkwell’s life. This juxtaposition allowed for a unique comedic rhythm, where the gravity of the format made even minor deviations feel hilarious. This approach was so effective that Allen would later refine the technique in his 1983 film Zelig, and the film’s influence rippled outward, inspiring the slapstick sensibilities of filmmakers like David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Take the Money and Run | Comedy, Heist, Woody Allen | Britannica
- Also: Take the Money and Run (film)
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