Cary and Irene (THE AWFUL TRUTH)

Friday, June 3, 2011

EASY LIVING (1937) is a hilarious screwball comedy with Jean Arthur at her best

This is the daffy story of a hard working girl named Mary (the always fresh and engaging Jean Arthur), who has a sable coat thrown on her from a window of a rich man named J.B. Ball (Edward Arnold) who is fed up with his free spending family. Directed by Mitchell Leisen from a screenplay by Preston Sturges, Easy Living is classic screwball comedy at its best. And mistaken scenarios abound as people think that Ball gave his wife's coat to Mary and she is his mistress. Ray Milland is on hand as Ball's son John who of course falls for Mary. Great slapstick scenes are aplenty in this film including a wild food fight that is hilarious. Jean Arthur is excellent in this film as she combines sex appeal, comedy, warmth, and a touch of bewilderment to her character. She is definitely one of screwball comedy's top queens. If you have never seen Easy Living, check it ASAP.




2 comments:

Mythical Monkey said...

One of my favorite Jean Arthur performances. And veteran character actor Edward Arnold is very good as the exasperated husband who throws his wife's fur coat out the window. One of the era's best screwball comedies.

Mr. Tiny said...

Love, love, love this movie! I think it is what Depression-era dreams are made of.