Impossible to rank, so in no particular order, notable comedies among director Alfred Hitchcock's feature films, mostly from his golden period, when Hitch commanded total creative freedom and his biggest budgets, stars, and laughs. My only quibble is his epic, "North by Northwest," which climaxes on the faces of Mount Rushmore, didn't retain its original title: "The Man in Lincoln's Nose."
1. "Rear Window" (1954)
The light-hearted romance of James Stewart and Grace Kelly takes a side seat to some peculiar happenings in the apartment building across the way. The wonderful Thelma Ritter provides extra fun as the trio attempts to solve "a murder?" in this richly satisfying tale and remarkable study of the connection between voyeurism and cinema. A true original, it has long been my favorite of ALL movies.
2. "To Catch a Thief" (1955)
Hitchcock's dream couple, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, are involved in a cat burglar caper on the French Riviera. One of the lushest of Hollywood movies with expensive settings and a jewel of a script by John Michael Hayes. The witty dialogue is a joy to hear, almost musical, crackling with elegance and charm.3. "The Trouble With Harry" (1955)
What's up with Harry? Just that. He's dead and his body keeps popping up. This film has a wry British feel in its pacing and tone, a bit like the Ealing Studios classics of the period ("Kind Hearts and Coronets," "The Ladykillers"), more farce than fierce. Edmund Gwenn and John Forsythe team with newcomer Shirley MacLaine.4. "Psycho" (1960)
Hitchcock's personal challenge to make an A-list picture on a shoestring budget became a cultural phenomenon and one of the most influential movies ever. The spooky tale of Marion Crane and Norman Bates is also a very dark comedy stuffed with hilarious foreshadowing (once you know the plot) and sleight-of-hand. In breaking one film taboo, Paramount worried more about the toilet than the violence.5. "North by Northwest" (1959)
The big one. A sprawling adventure with deadly spies chasing Wrong Man Cary Grant, who shows his comic strengths from suave to slapstick. A perfect blend of humor and intrigue, the film, an obvious blueprint for the James Bond and Indiana Jones series, gets better with each viewing. The last shot, a speeding train entering a tunnel, is inspired innuendo and, amazingly, it slipped by the censors.6. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (1941)
A real curiosity, the great director's only traditional comedy feature. It's the full-speed screwball lark Hitchcock reluctantly made as a favor to his friend, actress Carole Lombard. Nothing frightening happens here, except Lombard discovers her marriage to Robert Montgomery is not legal.