29 March 2024 The Irish Film & Television Network
     
Pictiúr Paradiso: Actor and Writer Patrick McDonnell on the films that shaped him
17 Jul 2015 : Paul Byrne
He’s one of Ireland’s funniest men, but there’s more to Patrick McDonnell than making people laugh. As he mixes ever more drama in with his comedy, the acclaimed actor/writer reveals the films that shaped him.

We’re big fans of Patrick McDonnell here at IFTN HQ.

If John Hinde and Spike Milligan had produced a baby together, we reckon this County Louth lout could very well be the result.

With his sly mix of the whimsical and the absurd, there’s something deeply Irish about Patrick McDonnell. It’s as though the man is equal parts Aran sweater and Alejandro Jodorowsky.

It’s there in McDonnell’s most famous work - TV’s ‘The Savage Eye’, ‘Naked Camera’ and that sublime Daniel O’Donnell homage Eoin McLove in ‘Father Ted’. And it’s there in McDonnell’s stand-up, his theatre work, his writing. And it’s there in his film choices...

We asked for ten - Pat gave us nine. Which is a comedian’s dozen, apparently.

Billy Liar (UK 1963/PG/98mins)

Patrick McDonnell: The film adaptation of Keith Waterhouse’s 1959 novel, made in the year that sex came to Britain, Billy Liar was one of the last kitchen sink dramas of that period. I identified with Billy in that he wanted to be a gag writer and desperately wanted to break away from home. My favourite character is Mr Shadrack, as played by Leonard Rossiter, the inspiration for the Smiths’ song Frankly, Mr Shankly.

The King of Comedy (USA 1982/PG/102mins)

I’ve met a few Rupert Pupkins in the industry over the years. His stand-up slot at the end wasn’t too shabby. I watched this before I got into comedy and, as with Billy Liar, empathized with his frustration, but not his methods in overcoming it.

Zelig (USA 1983/PG/79mins)

Woody Allen went off the boil about twenty years ago but he had a good thirty year run of writing and directing brilliant films. This one blew me away in that not only is it technically perfect, forensically researched and life affirming, it is also hilarious.

Spinal Tap (USA 1984/12A/82mins)

The chief inspiration for me to be a comedian. The day after I saw it for the first time I cycled into see my friends in Dundalk and we conversed in mockney accents and tried to recall ever scene in detail for hours. We didn’t speak about anything else until I cycled home the next day. I’ve seen it about seventy times and still find it funny.

Sons Of The Desert (USA 1933/G/68mins)

Watch it once a year with my son; it’s our thing, as it were. Always makes me laugh. The pay-off at the end still works every time. By far their best film.

The Ladykillers (UK 1955/G/91mins)

A great era for comedy films, I could have picked any number of great films from the Boulting Brothers or Ealing Studios stables. This stand out as the best in my mind because of the dark subject matter, the Edwardian world it evokes and the great comic performances. It’s amazing to see Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers in the same film.

The Godfather (USA 1972/18/175mins)/The Godfather: Part II (USA 1974/18/200mins)

What can I say? I can watch them over and over, and they’re even funny in parts.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (USA 1971/G/100mins)

Featuring the great Gene Wilder, classic songs by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, and well cast kids. Better than the book; doesn’t moralise like Dahl does. Slugworth was a great addition.

Could pick any number of Gene Wilder films - The Producers, Young Frankenstein or Blazing Saddles. I used to force my kids to watch it a couple of times a year but now watch it alone. My wife and kids don’t speak about the Tim Burton abomination when I’m around.

Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (UK/USA/PG/95mins)

I like pretty much all of Kubrick’s films but like this the best because we get to see Peter Sellers on top form. His performances are exceptional - I think his comic genius in unsurpassed. Only Rob Schneider comes close. Or maybe Martin Lawrence.

We live in exciting times.





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