Hitchcock’s glee gave Argento a tonal framework for his films. “I like that kind of British humor; it’s a very refined kind of humor,” he said. announced. “I want the humor in my movies to be like that, a little classy. It’s not the kind of humor that’s about a funny line or joke here and there.” It has a simpler and less dotted sense of humor, particularly British, as opposed to the very punchy style found in Hollywood comedies.
Argento has a famous sense of humor, not only in his movies, but personally. “He’s as funny as a young boy trying to make weird jokes. I’ve always loved his energy,” said French filmmaker Gaspar Noé. Roger Ebert.com. “When he promotes his films at festivals or in different theaters, he makes monologues that can last for an hour without questions, and people laugh and applaud. He sounded like a born comedian to me.”
The Italian director may have been inspired by Hitchcock, but he takes a very different approach to his actors. When? Vulture When asked how he would direct his actors before a funnier scene, Argento replied, “You know, I didn’t give them much instruction. Those scenes came out as written.” This is far from Hitchcock’s approach. The master of suspense was notorious for giving players little creative freedom. He once said that “the majority of actors are … stupid kids” and, unlike Argento, had little confidence in them (through). Hitchcock/Truffaut).
They may not be the same in every way, but Argento and Hitchcock certainly share a dark sense of humor. Hitch’s idiosyncratic charm and suspense gripped the entire horror genre, but Argento’s work really does justice to OG.