Summer Vibes: Escape Boredom with These Hilarious Film Comedies!

Summer and the holidays call for time spent by the water—whether swimming, relaxing in the garden of your favorite restaurant, or indulging in ice cream. How about wrapping up such a lovely summer evening by enjoying a classic Czech comedy that perfectly captures the essence of the season?

Wow Guys (1975)

With just the first few notes from Hapek’s song Don’t Just Stand There, Come On, you will instantly dive into the enchanting summer vibe brought to life in the film, Wow Boys. The opening scenes, featuring a steam train racing through sunlit fields as the main character Tomáš runs after it, evoke joyous childhood summer days full of playful adventures. This film was created by Věra Plívová-Šimková, based on a screenplay by Jan Procházka, who incorporated unforgettable tales grounded in Czech reality, much like Mark Twain‘s stories about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Filming took place in the historic center of Litoměřice, at the charming railway station in Levín, at Rýzmburk Castle, and along the route from Velký Březno to Zubrnice. If you visit the Zubrnice railway station, you can explore the railway museum that includes an exhibit dedicated to the film; you can even ride the Zubrnice motorbike there. Summer and holidays encourage you to spend time by the water, swimming, lounging in a favorite restaurant garden, and enjoying ice cream. Why not conclude a beautiful summer evening at the cinema with one of these delightful Czech comedies that truly embody the summer spirit?

How to Get Daddy to the Reformatory (1978)

If you recall the memorable lines like That’s not Grandpa, that’s Herod! or Waterman! And he calls me Fando!, you’re likely thinking of the film How to Get Daddy to the Reformatory, which serves as the summer follow-up to winter’s How to Pull Out a Whale’s Molar directed by Marie Poledňáková. The snowy landscapes of Krkonoše have been swapped for the natural beauty of Bohemian Paradise, featuring sandstone cliffs, Věžák pond, and Vesec village near Sobotka. While we can’t send you biking through Bohemian Paradise, we do have a great suggestion for a family cycling outing. We’ll tell you all about the legend of the famous Dragon’s Tooth and reveal where Vašek’s beloved shortcut led.

My Little Village (1985)

The eccentric and lovable Doctor Skružný, truck driver Pávek, his simple-minded assistant Otík, and the artist Ryba are among the memorable characters in the comedy My Little Village (Vesničko má, středisková). This film was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film and was directed by Jiří Menzel in 1985 in the picturesque Central Bohemian village of Křečovice. A few scenes, like the pond featuring a jealous Turk practicing his diving while his wife plays nearby, were filmed near Neveklov.

And how about a classic line from the film? Get ready, it’s quite a lengthy one:

Bedřich Rambousek: Doctor, you make light of everything. I know best how I feel. I won’t be here much longer.

Dr. Skružný: Do you want a bath, Bedřich?

Bedřich Rambousek: I don’t want to, it didn’t make me feel good.

Dr. Skružný: Then go to the sea. Close the pub and go.

Bedřich Rambousek: I was there. The year before last. I suffered from diarrhea there.

Dr. Skružný: Then go to the Tatras.

Bedřich Rambousek: I hate college.

Dr. Skružný: So you know where to go. Go to Pelhřimov. Check out the crematorium so you know what you’re getting into. Next!

For anyone curious about the Pelhřimov crematorium, there’s a little twist: it doesn’t actually exist! The screenplay’s author, Zdeněk Svěrák, was amused to discover the unintentional trouble he caused for the town of Pelhřimov with just that one line. The locals have made light of it, even constructing a makeshift incinerator in the town square multiple times, where they toss their worries, written on paper, and watch them burn in a symbolic act.

How to Drown Dr. Mráček or the End of Watermen in Bohemia (1974)

“I wouldn’t marry that idiot anyway. I’d rather live on the Berounka!” , lyrics from the song She Knew the Maiden Master performed by Helena Vondráčková and Vasek Neckar, along with a clever stunt in which actors exit via a sink—sound familiar? Look out for the hilarious comedy How to Drown Dr. Mráček or the End of Watermen in Bohemia, directed by Václav Vorlíček in 1974. The story follows the last generation of watermen, the Wassermanns, and the love story between young waterwoman Jana and lawyer Dr. Mráček, who aims to evict the watermen from their riverside home in Kampa and demolish it.

This film won the best comedy award at the 1975 La Coruna Comedy Film Festival and was mainly shot in Prague, along the banks of the Vltava River, which is also referenced in the amusing line about the more rustic Berounka River. You will recognize iconic spots like Kampa, Yellow Baths, Vyšehrad, Mala Strana, and various locations along the embankments. Unfortunately, one sad note regarding this comedy was the passing of actor Jan Libíček, who originally starred as one of the watermen and died during filming. He was later replaced by Zdeněk Řehor.

Raffles (2006)

What kinds of experiences can one have on the water? Swimming, enjoying water sports, boredom, thrilling rapids, fatigue, love, disappointment, or even drunken antics. For teenage boys Filip and Dany, a holiday on the water represents an exciting chance for antics that are a bit on the wild side. The summer comedy Rafties has certainly resonated with many young people, capturing memories of carefree first love. Director Karel Janák filmed mostly around the Ohře River near Svatošské skály, at Loket Castle, and in Rožmberk nad Vltavou. For stars such as Vojta Kotek and Jiří Mádl, Rafties, along with the Snowboards two years later, marked the inception of their film careers. Football legend Dominik Hašek, known for his hockey fame, even made a cameo, though instead of donning a hockey jersey, he was dressed as a firefighter.

In a Secluded Place by the Forest (1976)

Do you recognize the phrase “It’s the dog fleas that don’t go to humans.“? This line comes from a film that was initially called Grandpa Komarek’s Pragueers, and which featured the efforts of director Jiří Menzel along with screenwriters Zdeněk Svěrák and Ladislav Smoljak. The film was produced during an era that posed various challenges regarding casting Josef Kemr as Grandpa Komarek primarily due to his outspoken religious views. Ultimately, Menzel advocated for his role, asserting that even though he was a believer, there was no one else who could wield a scythe like him. Interestingly, although Kemr played an elderly man, he was only fifty-four during the shooting. A well-known scene takes place in a mill, where a beloved tale involving a waterman unfolds alongside the sounds of the mill. You may have missed it, but Ladislav Smoljak was actually reading a fire safety pamphlet in that scene. The filming location near Radesina in the Příbram region has changed significantly; the cottage there has been transformed into a modern home now. It’s almost as if builders Lorenc and Kos had a hand in the redesign.

Summer with a Cowboy (1976)

Malá Lečice, Horní Prysk, Hradištko close to Davle, and Bezdědice near Hostomice served as the backdrop for the summer comedy Summer with a Cowboy, directed by Ivo Novák. The screenplay, written by Jaromíra Kolárová, tells the story of psychologist Doubravka, a cowboy turned tractor driver named Honza who lost his driver’s license due to a ridiculous wager, a herd of cows, and Doubravka’s friend Bobo who is gearing up for medical school. What happens next is something you’ll have to watch unfold. The main roles in this playful story about how two seemingly different individuals meet and fall in love are played by Daniela Kolářová and Jaromír Hanzlík. Post the premiere of the musical Night at Karlštejn, many audience members speculated whether they were a couple in real life, but there was no gossip magazine to confirm or deny it. The film also features a young Michal Dlouhý in his first role as the cowboy’s little brother, and Oldřich Vízner wished to portray a cowboy rather than the self-centered doctor who got on everyone’s nerves, though he had to wait for a while to land the role of Saturninus.

Whimsical Summer (1967)

“This way of summer seems rather unfortunate to me,” remarks Rudolf Hrušínský as Antonín Důra, the owner of an old riverside spa along the Orše River, in the film based on the slim book Whimsical Summer by author Vladislav Vančura. Director Jiří Menzel beautifully adapted Vančura’s narrative into poetic visual imagery resonating with beauty, insight, and wisdom.

Simultaneously, Menzel claimed a personal triumph when he managed to get actors Vlastimil Brodský who feared water and Rudolf Hrušínský, also scared of the water, to dive in. In fact, Rudolf Hrušínský Jr., who came to observe his father’s filming, reminisced, “Dad was an avid fisherman, but there’s a distinct difference between being a fisherman and a swimmer, as you will note. My father enjoyed watching the water.” Whimsical Summer was filmed in Veselí nad Lužnicí at a lovely swimming pool, which evokes the ambiance of the early 20th century. Because the Hrušínský family had a cottage nearby in Plana nad Lužnicí, the famous actor was familiar with the filming locations beforehand. He often went fishing there and suggested the place to Menzel.

Sun, Hay, Strawberries (1983)

The summer comedy Sun, Hay, Strawberries and its two sequels were filmed by director Zdeněk Troška in his hometown Hoštice near Volyn. The film showcases both actors and locals, essentially turning the entire village into a backdrop, where you can visit local attractions like the inaccessible castle, Sosnovec Forest—a romantic meeting spot, Trotsky’s bench with a view of the village, or the famous train station where trains never stop because of delays. You might also want to check out the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Podsrpu, which is under fifteen kilometers from Hoštice. The church has a special patron, described in these words: “Our Lady of Podsrpenska, do you see this?”

Holidays with the Beetle (2024)

Here at Where to Get Bored, we understand that an excellent holiday doesn’t have to involve airplanes, luxurious hotels, or beach resorts. Consider embarking on a caravan adventure inspired by the summer comedy Holidays with the Beetle, which promises to appeal to caravan enthusiasts. You will journey to the Berounka Valley—a river that captures the hearts of those who love Ota Pavel’s books, ancient castles, and off-the-beaten-path treasures. This film features a straightforward and refreshing storyline with a familiar ending encapsulated in the phrase “good everywhere, best at home”, sprinkled with delightful humor. It’s apparent that director Jirka Matoušek drew from his own life experiences, and many caravaners will see reflections of their own adventures in the film, from packing the camper to unexpected moments on the road, highlighting that sometimes the best memories are the unplanned ones.