The love of screwball comedies is what this blog is all about. Discussing and sharing everyone's favorite films and actors in them. Should be a fun experience for all involved.
I recently ordered a movie on DVD from Amazon and it arrived yesterday. I immediately put it in to watch it, appropriately enough it's called If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium. It is a delightful comedy about a group of Americans on the ultimate European trip. Nine countries in 18 days as stated by Whirlwind Tours, the company that provides this hilarious and exhausting vacation package. Top billed Suzanne Pleshette leads the Americans as Samantha Perkins, a woman from Minnesota who goes on this trip to make sure she is ready to marry her beau. She immediately attracts the unwanted attention of the tour guide Charlie (an impossibly young looking Ian McShane). McShane would later on to great success as the title character in the hit 80's British show Lovejoy and recently as the ruthless saloon owner Al on the rough western series Deadwood. Anyway he is player but looks at Sam and thinks he's ready to settle down. Other cast members include Murray Hamilton (The Graduate, Jaws) as a disparate dad who is dragged on the trip by his wife. But the main he goes is to keep their teen-age daughter from having sex with her boyfriend. Norman Fell and Reva Rose are a married couple who get separated and she winds up on another tour bus with Japanese tourists. Michael Constantine is a WW2 soldier who is trying to find the girl he met during the war when he was stationed in Italy. Sandy Baron is a quite young man who gets roped into marrying an Italian woman before he escapes. Mildred Natwick is a older woman who just wants to have fun. Marty Ingels as a lothario wannabe who takes pictures of beautiful women so he can brag to his fellas back home. And Aubrey Morris is a strange man who never speaks but enjoys stealing items from the hotel rooms the group stays at. And there are tons of cameos including: singer Donovan,who provides the catchy theme song; Joan Collins, Robert Vaughn, John Cassavetes, Ben Gazzara, Senta Berger, Anita Ekberg, Virni Lisi and several beauty pagent winners of the time including Miss Belgium, Miss Germany, and Miss Holland.
This movie has a breezy and light-hearted tone. The entire cast is awesome. Pleshette, who is positively gorgeous gets a lot of sly lines and has great chemistry with McShane. Norman Fell has a standout dance scene at a club where he gets to go on stage surrounded by a bevy of young and beautiful dancers and he is loving every minute of it. That is until his wife unexpectedly shows up. Hamilton is also good as the frustrated dad who finally gets to have some fun. This movie has tons of laughs and at only 98 minutes long, a lot of ground and countries get covered fast. Which is impressive in itself. The look of the movie is also great as it perfectly captures the decade of long hair and groovy music. I loved this movie and it is one of the most underrated films I have ever seen. It will make you laugh pretty much the entire time you're watching it. I definitely will be watching it several more times and soon. And while this is technically not a screwball comedy, it does feature some screwball antics and situations. So I decided to post it here as well. B+
The Mating Season (1951). Comedy. Director: Mitchell Leisen and produced by Charles Brackett from a screenplay by Charles Brackett, Richard Breen and Walter Reisch, based on the play Maggie by Caesar Dunn. Cast: Gene Tierney, John Lund, Miriam Hopkins, and Thelma Ritter.
After Ellen McNulty, sells her hamburger stand she decides to visit her son Val, who lives in another city. Val has recently married a socialite, Maggie. To help her out, her husband hires a maid and sends her over. At the same time, Ellen arrives. Maggie, her daughter-in-law, mistakes her for the maid. Ellen doesn't let on who she really is and decides to pretend to be a maid. The next morning Ellen arrives with her things. She talks her son into the idea but he doesn't like it very much.
Maggie's mother comes for a visit and she is nothing like Maggie. She is a snob and she doesn't like Val one bit. Mr. Kalinger invites Val and Maggie to the party. At the party, Maggie gets into an argument with an important female guest and storms out. Val, forces Maggie to call the party to apologize to the woman. She does, leading to another fight.
The next morning, Val and Maggie make up and duck into a closet for a kiss. Ellen's friends are at the door and ask to speak to "Mrs. McNulty". It is revealed that Ellen is really Val's mother. Maggie is furious with Val for hiding his mother's identity from her. She and her mother leave for a hotel. Maggie later confronts Val at his office. She tells him that he has become a snob and that she is moving to Mexico. Will Val and Maggie reunite?
I really enjoyed watching this very well done screwball comedy. You have mistaken identity an overbearing mother in law. Mix them altogether you get a movie with cynical undercurrents about the American dream. This film has an excellent cast: Miriam Hopkins, gives a wonderful over the top performance and what can I say Thelma Ritter, just amazing. I was really loved her warm hearted scenes with Gene Tierney.
I've always wanted to see this comedy film which stars James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, and Rita Hayworth. Well TCM is airing The Strawberry Blonde on Wednesday, May 12th at 7:45 am EST. Tune in or record it if you get the chance. I know I plan to. I can't wait to see. Cagney only did a few comedies in his career, as did Hayworth, so that makes it worth seeing for that fact alone.
Without Reservations (1946). Comedy. Director: Mervyn LeRoy, and adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel "Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here" by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston. Cast: Claudette Colbert and John Wyane.
The story begins when Kit an author travels by train to L.A. to work on the film adaptation of her book. On the way, she finds a Marine, who she believes would be perfect to play the film character. Kit lies about her who she really is when she hears Rusty and his friend, Lieutenant Dink Watson, putting down her book, Here Is Tomorrow. She quickly comes up with the name Kit Klotch and defends the book. While waiting for connecting train to Chicago, Kit receives a telegram from Baldwin, he orders her to keep track of Rusty and Dink. They both decide to leave the station in to buy some rationed whiskey, and Kit ends up missing her train while trying to keep up with them. To avoid revealing who she really is, Kit pretends that she has lost her ticket and has to travel in coach. When Consuela Callahan, a flirt whom Dink and Rusty call a "beetle," accuses Kit of stealing her orchid and Kit is thrown off the train the next morning. As they continue with their travels they come across many comedic and dramatic problems. When Rusty finds out Kit really is a famous writer, he thinks that she has been using him . Will she convince him otherwise?
I'm a huge fan of John Wayne and Claudette Colbert. This is such a cute, fun and romantic comedy. It reminds me of "It happened One Night" with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.
Just started a new poll which asks the questions what are your favorite screwball comedies of Cary Grant. I provided 7 choices including: Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, The Philadelphia Story, The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife, Arsenic & Old Lace, and Holiday. And also made it multiple choice, because I knew this would be difficult to choose only one. So have fun and make your choices, the poll is open all month long.
My favorite actor of all time is Cary Grant and I think he is the best representation of screwball comedies. Now, he did have range as he ended up playing everything from cat burglars to french officers to wronged men. But his strength was screwball comedies. Just look at the list of comedies that he starred in: Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, Arsenic & Old Lace, The Awful Truth, My Favorite Wife, Holiday, The Philadelphia Story, The Bachelor & The Bobby-Soxer, Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House, Monkey Business, I Was A Male War Bride, and the list goes on and on. His debonair appearance gave the viewers a sense of disbelief. Could this suave guy really be that funny? Why, yes....yes he can. His performances are legendary and a part of classic cinema. And he usually upped his co-stars game to their A level. Great stars like Irene Dunne, Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, Myrna Loy and Ann Sheridan to name just a few. The first classic movie I ever saw was His Girl Friday when I was about 12 and I was struck on them after that. And immediately began following Cary's career and every time I saw another Grant film, I was always entertained. But I truly believe he was the king of screwball comedies. I'm not knocking the other veterans of this classic genre, but for me it's Cary Grant all the way.
Delightful comedy with William Powell and Myrna Loy teaming up yet again as Steve and Susan Ireland, a married couple about to celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary by re-enacting their first date. When Susan's meddling mother interrupts and injures herself. Steve is left to take care of her and when he meets an old flame in the elevator--Susan's mother takes the opportunity to break-up their marriage. She convinces Susan that Steve is cheating on her-Susan files for divorce. Steve has one solution to save his marriage...Pretend he is insane. And that premise allows Powell to have a field day by acting crazy. He and Myrna once again are pure magic and they are so comfortable performing onscreen together, that we the audience are by the same token, comfortable with them.
Love Crazy is a pure delight. One of Powell's great scenes has him in drag, pretending to be his own sister. It's hilarious. Loy gets to shine in several scenes as well. Gail Patrick is excellent as Isobel, Steve's old flame. And Jack Carson is a treat every time he appears onscreen. He plays a neighbor who is infatuated with Loy's character. He always introduces himself the same way....Willoughby. Ward Willoughby. It's funny how he says it, you have to be there to realize how funny it is. One of my favorite comedies.
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Steve: She's married now - got a husband.
Susan Ireland: Yeah? Whose husband has she got?
Since Myrna Loy is my classic movie goddess of the month and The Thin Man series is one of my favorite film series of all time, I decided to post brief reviews of all 6 wonderful films.
THE THIN MAN (1934) The one that started it all and the very best one, just slightly ahead of After the Thin Man. We are introduced to the fun loving couple Nick and Nora Charles at a bar and we're off. William Powell is Nick, a recently retired private detective who adores his wife Nora (Loy), his very rich wife. Well when a missing person case falls into his lap, Nick reluctanly takes the job, much to the delight of Nora. The wisecracks fly fast and furious, and we are introduced to some of the most unsavory characters that we would not want to meet in real life. Powell and Loy are the perfect couple and play off each other extremely well. And let's not forget their dog, Asta, who is a born scene stealer. They would pair up for 5 more Thin Man films and 13 films in all. I think this one is their very best. A+
AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936) Delightful follow-up that picks up immediately after the events of the original Thin Man movie. Returning from New York by train to their home in San Francisco, the couple don't have a minute to relax before they are summoned for dinner at Nora's snobby family. A case involving Nora's cousin, who husband has disappeared and then found later murdered. Nora's cousin is the prime suspect and Nick must use all his skills to prove otherwise. A rare sequel that is just as good as it's predecessor. Powell and Loy remain excellent as usual and look for an early performance by Jimmy Stewart. One that is a little off beat for him. This film is a lot longer than the previous Thin Man film, but it never drags. A
ANOTHER THIN MAN (1939) The Charles' are back in New York with Asta and a new arrival: Nicky Jr. They are invited by Colonel MacFey to spend the weekend at his house in Long Island as he desperately wants Charles to help him out. It seems he has been receiving threats from Phil Church, a very shady character. When McFey is killed Church seems to be the obvious suspect but Nick suspects there is something far more complicated going on. McFey's housekeeper, daughter and various hangers-on may all have had an interest in seeking the old man's demise. Another solid entry in the series, while not on par with the first two films, but still very entertaining. B
THE SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN (1941) Fun and games and murder at the horse track as Nick and Nora become involved with a dead jockey, organized crime, and corruption. Look for Donna Reed in an early role. I enjoyed this one a little more than Another Thin Man, as it is a lot more fun. Usually series start to falter when they reach their fourth entry, but The Thin Man series was getting it second wind. B+
THE THIN MAN GOES HOME (1944) Nick and Nora head to Nick's hometown of Sycamore Springs to spend some time with his parents. His father, a prominent local physician, was always a bit disappointed with Nick's choice of profession in particular and his lifestyle in general. With Nick's arrival however the towns folk, including several of the local criminal element, are convinced that he must be there on a case despite his protestations that he's just there for rest and relaxation. When someone is shot dead on his doorstep however, Nick finds himself working on a case whether he wants to or not. A solid entry. B
THE SONG OF THE THIN MAN (1947) The final Thin Man movie is a light comdey mystery that lets Nick and Nora bow out gracefully. Nick and Nora Charles are attending a charity benefit aboard a gambling ship. The festive atmosphere conceals many tensions among those connected with the ship, with most of the friction centering around Tommy Drake, its unpopular, spiteful band-leader. When he is murdered later that night, suspicion falls on Phil Brant, who had argued with Drake earlier in the evening. When Phil and his wife seek help from Nick and Nora, Nick refuses to get involved. But when shots are fired outside his own apartment, Nick begins to investigate, and he soon finds himself in a confusing case with numerous suspects. Look for Gloria Grahame and Dean Stockwell as a teen Nick Jr. B-
The Odd Couple(1968). Comedy. Written by Neil Simon, based on his play of the same name, directed by Gene Saks. Cast: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Simon based the story on the observations of Mel Brooks living with a friend after his first divorce.
After TV news writer Felix Ungar's, marriage falls apart he becomes depressed and wants to end it all by trying to jumping out a window. But he ends up pulling a muscle in his back. Limping back onto the street he tries to get drunk and ends up hurting his neck. Finally, he stands on a bridge, thinking about jumping into the river. Instead... he finds his way to the weekly poker game in progress at his best friends, Oscar Madison's, apartment. Felix accepts an invitation to live with Oscar, but his hypochondria and cleanliness drives Oscar nuts, and the two men are soon arguing over everything. In one of my favorite weekly poker game scenes: Oscar Madison: I'm in for a quarter. Murray: Aren't you going to look at your cards first? Oscar Madison: What for? I'm gonna bluff anyway. Who gets a Pepsi? Murray: I get a Pepsi. Oscar Madison: My friend Murray the policeman gets a warm Pepsi. Roy: You still didn't fix the refrigerator. It's been two weeks now - no wonder it stinks in here. Oscar Madison: Temper, temper. If I wanted nagging, I'd go back with my wife. I'm out. Who wants food? Murray: What do you got? Oscar Madison: I got, uh, brown sandwiches and, uh, green sandwiches. Which one do you want? Murray: What's the green? Oscar Madison: It's either very new cheese or very old meat. Murray: I'll take the brown. [Oscar hands Murray a sandwich which Murray starts wolfing down] Roy: Are you crazy? You're not going to eat that, are you? Murray: I'm hungry! Roy: His refrigerator has been out of order for two weeks now. I saw milk standing in there that wasn't even in the bottle! Oscar Madison: What are you, some kind of health nut? Eat, Murray, eat!
Soon, Oscar suggests they double-date Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon, two quirky English sisters who also live in the building, and Felix offers to cook dinner. The evening quickly ends when Felix burns the meatloaf, and he breaks down into tears which causes sympathetic tears from the Pigeon sisters. Enraged, Oscar throws Felix out. After Felix moves out, their friends become angry with Oscar's mistreatment of Felix. They begin to search for Felix, he suddenly reappears and announces that he is moving in with Cecily and Gwendolyn. After Felix has left their weekly poker game, they are surprised when Oscar gets after them for making a mess in the apartment..
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, were perfect for this film. Planes, Trains and Automobiles" (1987). Also reminds me a little of the movie, Odd Couple.
Fun Fact:
The second pairing out of ten movies of actors and great friends Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
