by Harrison Ford’s Favorite Comedies: Looking Beyond the Action Hero
While Harrison Ford is best known for his iconic roles in blockbuster action franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, he has proven himself capable of deft comedic timing as well. Though Ford tends to gravitate toward dramatic roles, it’s clear from some of his past performances that he has a knack for comedy when given the right project. With no public statements from Ford himself about his favorite comedies, we can only speculate based on roles he’s enjoyed and movies that played to his comedic strengths. Here are a couple films that show Ford’s comedic chops and may rise to the top of his personal favorites list.
Working Girl (1988)
One comedy Ford seemed to relish was 1988’s Working Girl, in which he played Jack Trainer, the ambitious boss of Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith). The film was a critical and commercial hit that earned six Academy Award nominations. Ford brought just the right amount of charm and arrogance to the role of Trainer, a cutthroat executive who initially underestimates McGill’s intelligence and work ethic.
The film allows Ford to flex his comedic muscles subtly. There’s a hilarious scene where Trainer, oblivious to McGill’s ideas being stolen, smugly tells her “No one’s going to hand you the keys to the kingdom.” Unaware that she’s already taken the keys, so to speak, he brushes her off. Ford plays the moment with perfect timing, conveying Trainer’s cockiness without overacting. He clearly enjoyed the chance to play against type as the slick but dim boss whose ego is deflated by Griffith’s clever heroine.
Working Girl also gave Ford the opportunity to showcase his gift for physical comedy. In one memorable scene, Trainer tries to impress McGill during a business meeting by showing off his golf swing in the office, only to send a potted plant crashing down in hilarious fashion. Ford commits fully to the pratfall without reservation, a testament to his willingness to look foolish for the sake of a good laugh. His co-stars praised how much fun he had on set bringing Trainer to vivid life. All signs point to Working Girl being a favorite among Ford’s comedy roles.
The Frisco Kid (1979)
Another comedy that allowed Ford to flex his chops in a lighter role was 1979’s The Frisco Kid, pairing him with comedy legend Gene Wilder. In the film, Ford plays Tommy, a bank robber on the run who ends up escorting a Polish rabbi (Wilder) out west. Their mismatched buddy comedy dynamic produced plenty of laughs.
Directed by Robert Aldrich, The Frisco Kid let Ford play against type as the gruff outlaw with a hidden heart of gold. He thrived in the fish-out-of-water scenario, reacting exasperatedly to Wilder’s bumbling rabbi Abram with perfect comedic timing. Ford brings just the right balance of annoyance and begrudging fondness to the odd couple relationship.
One hilarious scene has Tommy trying in vain to teach Abram basic outdoors skills like hunting and camping. As the rabbi botches everything from lighting a fire to catching fish, Ford sells Tommy’s growing agitation and eventual laughter. It’s a testament to how well he played off Wilder’s zany antics without stealing the spotlight. By all accounts, Ford relished the chance to work with a comedy legend and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself on set.
Years later, Ford remained fond of the film. When asked about it in interviews, he always spoke warmly of his experience making The Frisco Kid. So it’s reasonable to assume this Western odd couple comedy, which allowed him to flex his comedic muscles in a supporting role, ranks highly among his favorite comedy performances.
Appreciation for Physical Comedy
Both Working Girl and The Frisco Kid gave Ford opportunities to showcase his gift for physical comedy. He clearly relished the chance to look foolish or lose control in hilarious scenarios without damaging his tough guy image. This points to an appreciation for slapstick and physical gags likely cultivated from his early background in theater.
Born in Chicago in 1942, Ford began acting in high school plays and studied drama in college. This theater background likely exposed him to classics of physical comedy like Buster Keaton and the Three Stooges. It makes sense that he’d carry an affinity for this style into his film career, even as he gravitated toward action and drama.
When given roles allowing physical humor, like the golf swing in Working Girl or Tommy’s frustrations in The Frisco Kid, Ford committed fully without hesitation. He understood the value of throwing himself into pratfalls or losing his cool in absurd scenarios for the sake of comedy. Both films let him indulge this underappreciated skill, leaving fans with unforgettable funny moments.
Appreciation for Romantic Comedy
Beyond just physical gags, Ford also seemed drawn to romantic comedies as a genre. Working Girl was not just a comedy but a romantic drama, exploring the push-pull relationship between Tess and her boss Jack Trainer. Ford brought nuance to the role, conveying Trainer’s arrogance, growing respect for Tess, and hints of attraction beneath the surface.
His chemistry with Melanie Griffith was a key factor in making their dynamic, and eventual romance, so compelling. Ford understood how to play the flirtatious banter and subtle gestures that build romantic tension so effectively in comedies. His leading man charm, while often used for action heroes, translated surprisingly well to the genre.
This points to a possible affinity for romantic comedies in Ford’s personal film tastes. The combination of humor, character development and will-they-or-won’t-they relationships may appeal more than some realize for an actor known for grittier roles. Working Girl showed he could hold his own in the genre, which fans and critics duly noted at the time.
Preference for Supporting Roles
An interesting pattern emerges – both Working Girl and The Frisco Kid placed Ford in supporting roles rather than leading man parts he’s best known for. This suggests he may have a fondness for comedy films that don’t rely entirely on him carrying the movie. Stepping back and playing off other stars like Gene Wilder or Melanie Griffith allowed Ford to relax into the comedy without shoulder full responsibility for the film.
In supporting parts, he could focus more energy on nailing the comedic beats versus worrying about the bigger picture. Ford seemed to relish handing over the spotlight and playing characters whose egos are punctured throughout Working Girl and The Frisco Kid. This points to a preference for comedy films where he doesn’t need to be the hero driving the plot.
With big blockbusters like Star Wars and Indiana Jones on his resume, it’s understandable Ford would savor lower-pressure roles letting him be funnier. Both Working Girl and The Frisco Kid fit that mold perfectly, allowing nuanced comedic performances without the weight of a major franchise. So when picking his favorite comedies, films that placed him in strong but secondary roles may have resonated most.
Conclusion
While no definitive list exists, Working Girl and The Frisco Kid provide clues into the types of comedies Harrison Ford likely holds in highest esteem. Both roles allowed him to showcase comedic timing through physical and romantic humor. They also placed him in supporting parts where he could play off other stars without carrying the full film.
Behind his action hero image lies an understated gift for comedy evident in these performances. With his background in theater, Ford clearly appreciated slapstick, character dynamics and playing against type. When given the right project highlighting these skills, he produced memorable funny turns.
So while Ford is legendary for gritty roles, it’s reasonable to assume lighthearted films like Working Girl and The Frisco Kid top his personal list of favorite comedies. They represent genres, styles and roles that maximized his comedic potential outside of blockbuster franchises. Even action legends appreciate a good laugh now and then.
