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The Awful Truth
One of the earliest examples of screwball comedy that seemed to shape and influence the genre was 1937's The Awful Truth, a deliciously unhinged and surprisingly sophisticated comedy that holds up thanks to Oscar-winning direction, some smart writing, and sparkling performances from its stars.
Irene Dunne and Cary Grant light up the screen as Lucy and Jerry Warriner, a pair of married Manhattan-nites who have becomes frustrated with each other's alleged lack of fidelity and impulsively decide to divorce. Before the divorce is finalized, Lucy finds herself romantically involved with a sweet-natured but goofy oil millionaire named Daniel Leeson (Ralph Bellamy) who lives with his mother, while Jerry becomes involved with a ditzy nightclub singer (Joyce Compton) and a wealthy but clinging heiress (Molly Lamont).
A surprisingly witty and sophisticated screenplay by Vina Delmar (based on a play by Arthur Richman) anchors the often silly goings-on here, introducing a couple who decide to divorce five minutes into the comedy, even though it is clear that these two still love each other. Love the fact that the entire story takes place before the divorce actually becomes final, reminding us throughout when the divorce becomes final. The day that Lucy and Daniel meet is 59 days before the divorce becomes final.
Leo McCarey won his first Oscar for Best Director for a seamless combination of outrageous physical comedy and stylish storytelling through body language and looks and glances that cleverly advance story without the aid of dialogue. Loved the courtroom custody battle for the Warriner's dog, Mr. Smith, as well as the nightclub singer's musical number, that I think might have influenced the famous subway grating scene in The Seven Year Itch.
Irene Dunne's enchanting performance as Lucy earned her an Oscar nomination as well, a performance that not only allowed her to utilize her comic skills, but her musical skills as well. Grant is style and sophisticated personified in a performance that reminded me of his work in The Philadelphia Story, but I must admit the real surprise here was a richly entertaining turn from Ralph Bellamy, never so charming onscreen before in a role that would define a lot of his film career and earned him his only Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Bellamy is so much fun here, in a role that actually allows him to sing, dance, and clown with the best of them. Bellamy's dance number with Dunne in the nightclub is definitely a comic highlight. Fans of films like It Happened One Night and The Philadelphia Story will definitely have a head start with this dazzling comedy classic.
One of the earliest examples of screwball comedy that seemed to shape and influence the genre was 1937's The Awful Truth, a deliciously unhinged and surprisingly sophisticated comedy that holds up thanks to Oscar-winning direction, some smart writing, and sparkling performances from its stars.
Irene Dunne and Cary Grant light up the screen as Lucy and Jerry Warriner, a pair of married Manhattan-nites who have becomes frustrated with each other's alleged lack of fidelity and impulsively decide to divorce. Before the divorce is finalized, Lucy finds herself romantically involved with a sweet-natured but goofy oil millionaire named Daniel Leeson (Ralph Bellamy) who lives with his mother, while Jerry becomes involved with a ditzy nightclub singer (Joyce Compton) and a wealthy but clinging heiress (Molly Lamont).
A surprisingly witty and sophisticated screenplay by Vina Delmar (based on a play by Arthur Richman) anchors the often silly goings-on here, introducing a couple who decide to divorce five minutes into the comedy, even though it is clear that these two still love each other. Love the fact that the entire story takes place before the divorce actually becomes final, reminding us throughout when the divorce becomes final. The day that Lucy and Daniel meet is 59 days before the divorce becomes final.
Leo McCarey won his first Oscar for Best Director for a seamless combination of outrageous physical comedy and stylish storytelling through body language and looks and glances that cleverly advance story without the aid of dialogue. Loved the courtroom custody battle for the Warriner's dog, Mr. Smith, as well as the nightclub singer's musical number, that I think might have influenced the famous subway grating scene in The Seven Year Itch.
Irene Dunne's enchanting performance as Lucy earned her an Oscar nomination as well, a performance that not only allowed her to utilize her comic skills, but her musical skills as well. Grant is style and sophisticated personified in a performance that reminded me of his work in The Philadelphia Story, but I must admit the real surprise here was a richly entertaining turn from Ralph Bellamy, never so charming onscreen before in a role that would define a lot of his film career and earned him his only Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Bellamy is so much fun here, in a role that actually allows him to sing, dance, and clown with the best of them. Bellamy's dance number with Dunne in the nightclub is definitely a comic highlight. Fans of films like It Happened One Night and The Philadelphia Story will definitely have a head start with this dazzling comedy classic.