The most underrated comedic element in movies, without a doubt, is the exaggerated yell.
Two reasons why histrionic hollering is so damned funny:
1) These screams are almost never intended to be ironic. In fact, the greatest over-the-top shouts usually occur during the film’s climax. Which, of course, makes them even more hilarious.
Consider the most pivotal revelation in the Star Wars Trilogy, pictured above. Luke Skywalker learns his father is none other than the hand-hacking, Dark Side Of The Force colossus Darth Vader. How does he react to that nugget of info?
Tell me, with a straight face, that you can keep a straight face when Luke bellows like a gelded ton-ton.
(And to this day, I’ll argue that the most redeeming scene from the putrid Revenge of the Sith was Vader’s own “Noooooooooooo” at the end – another scene I doubt Mr. Lucas intended to be comedic gold.)
2) As seen above, these bellows usually require the actor to contort his/her face into heinous, unnatural positions. Nothing, I mean nothing, provides a more fallow field for Photoshop wizardry than shots of discombobulated grills.
But one doesn’t need a Screen Actors Guild card or a B.F.A. in Dramatic Arts to master the art of face-muscle calisthenics. Coaches and athletes alike have been masters of exaggerated yells – and addled mugs – for generations.
Just as in movies, it’s pretty much impossible to name one overlord of over-emoting in sports. But if pressed, I’d have to say these are the first three that jump to mind.
Kansas State's Frank Martin, not playing poker
Larry Bowa didn't't buy Hemingway's regard for stoicism
But in the of land men with laughable faces, the ScheyerFace might just be king
Who are your top picks for athletes with faces made for radio? Send 'em our way!
And for the hell of it: this writer's all-time favorite theatrical yells. Bonus points if you can name the character and movie...
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