The Choice

Martin Short in Clifford (1994)

One can chose to be a responsible adult just like this fine, upstanding young man, who is employed as a teller at the First National Bank.

Just look at this man.  He is, by appearances, a model citizen.

This is one of his distinguished colleagues.

Now, let us look at his opposite, the man-child.

Roscoe Arbuckle in Brewster's Millions (1921)

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Here Come the Co-Eds (1945)

Adam Sandler as Billy Madison (1995)

Jerry Lewis in The Patsy (1964)

Steve Martin

Bill Murray

John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell in Step Brothers (2008)

John Candy

Kristen Wiig

Pee-wee Herman

Jason Segel

Danny Pudi

John Lithgow

Robert Downey Jr.

Tina Fey

Simon Pegg

Pegg

Pegg

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in Step Brothers (2008)

Martin Short in Clifford (1994)

Stephen Colbert

Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey in Due Date (2010)

Pee-wee Herman

Red Skelton as Mean Widdle Kid

The Three Stooges were especially good at making unending childish antics look like irresistible fun.

 

 

But should one chose to be a securely responsible adult or should they chose to be a laughable eternal child?  This question and others are discussed in I Won't Grow Up!: The Comic Man-Child in Film from 1901 to the Present.