black humor

     You may read that a film or TV show is an example of "black humor" or a "black comedy", and wonder where the black actors and comedians are. A sensible question. "Black humor" or "black comedy" traditionally means a kind of sick humor or comedy, for instance, a humorous murder story or crime story. An old favorite film of mine is an excellent example of this--Kind Hearts and Coronets.  The hero of this movie kills a dozen or so people, and it's extremely funny. Well, they're not real people, just fictional characters--but in a standard movie we are supposed to care or disapprove, and in this one we don't. We just think it's outrageous, but funny. Arsenic and Old Lace is another good example of a black comedy. Two old spinsters may have hidden a body in their house--but it's just silly and funny.  If I think of a more recent example I'll add it to this post