The Workshop
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.


The Workshop Of The Telescopes
 
HomeHome  Latest imagesLatest images  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  

 

 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...

Go down 
2 posters
AuthorMessage
S.D.
The Subhuman
S.D.


Posts : 6538
Join date : 2009-11-16
Location : Los Angeles, CA

1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... Empty
PostSubject: 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...   1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... I_icon_minitimeTue Apr 27, 2010 12:38 am

Because of the great depression, there were more comedies pumped out by Holllywood than any other decade. People wanted to GET AWAY from their miserable lives...so the popular theme was movies about rich people either being stupid airheads...or getting their just desserts. Didn't matter, as long as the underfed masses could laugh at them.

Because of this, an entire genre arose (screwball), some legendary director's made their first masterpieces (Frank Capra, William Wyler, Ernst Lubitsch, Howard Hawks, etc)...and the romantic comedy genre was born.

Here are the first 3 films, I will follow with more films every couple days till we get to at least 10. Stay tuned for further genres coming soon....


1. The Thin Man (1934) - the modern romantic comedy is born, along with the "hip couple". The surrounding detective story is rather stale, but whenever William Powell & Myrna Loy are on the screen it's still absolute magic. The production code had yet to fully settle in, so the dialogue and situations are borderline risque...and even though the characters sleep in twin beds, the sexual tension is fierce. Shot in 13 days on a shoestring budget, it went on to be an immense hit and inspired 5 (mostly good) sequels.

2. Twentieth Century (1934) - Howard Hawks cranks up the pace to thrash like intensity and let's his actors go completely off-the-rails in this classic "comedy aboard train". John Barrymore gives one of the best comedic performances in history, making people like Nicholas Cage look amazingly tame by comparison. Carole Lombard takes ditzy to new levels in one of her many classic performances from the decade.

3. My Man Godfrey (1935) - William Powell is teamed with Carole Lombard in a genre defining classic. Powell is a homeless man that Carole Lombard "finds" in a scavenger hunt. After realizing her cruelty, she offers him a job as the family butler! Powell ends up being the most normal one of the bunch. Literally EVERY other character in this movie is insane, stark, raving, MAD! There is more nutty improvised dialogue in this movie than in the average 10 modern films. But the movie also manages to sneak in some honest social commentary on the depression amidst the lunacy.
Back to top Go down
Akeldama
Cagey Cretin
Akeldama


Posts : 6579
Join date : 2009-12-12
Age : 103
Location : Colorado

1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... Empty
PostSubject: Re: 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...   1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... I_icon_minitimeWed Apr 28, 2010 9:14 pm

I remember The Thin Man from somewhere but I can't remember...I'll check out all 3 they sound kewl. Good thread.
Back to top Go down
S.D.
The Subhuman
S.D.


Posts : 6538
Join date : 2009-11-16
Location : Los Angeles, CA

1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... Empty
PostSubject: Re: 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...   1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... I_icon_minitimeWed Apr 28, 2010 9:31 pm

All of the recommendations I make in this thread should be easy to get from Netflix.
Back to top Go down
S.D.
The Subhuman
S.D.


Posts : 6538
Join date : 2009-11-16
Location : Los Angeles, CA

1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... Empty
PostSubject: Re: 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...   1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... I_icon_minitimeSat May 01, 2010 12:13 am

might as well add another flick, just to entertain myself if nobody else...

4. LIBLED LADY (1936)
starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy & Jean Harlow

With a cast like that, you just can't go wrong. Tracy & Loy are especially effective in their scenes together. The story is utter lunacy. Newspaper reporter prints inflammatory story in the paper when he's drunk...rich heiress sues newspaper...newspaper hires "spy" to infiltrate and get dirt on the heiress, etc. Loy is simply magic as said heiress and Harlow (in one of her best roles) starts out abrasive and ends up loveable without you ever really noticing the change. Powell & Tracy are at each other's throats for the majority of the proceedings, thus much fun for all! Directed with typical late 30's MGM gloss and at a breakneck pace, a must see.
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... Empty
PostSubject: Re: 1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...   1930's screwball comedies - the must see list... I_icon_minitime

Back to top Go down
 
1930's screwball comedies - the must see list...
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Top 5 Situation Comedies
» UG's Best Bassists Of All Time List
» List Your Top 10 music releases of 2011 (if you have 'em)
» Mikael Akerfeldt's list of "very inspiring" albums
» Rolling Stone's Greatest Guitarist Of All Time List

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
The Workshop :: Stairway To The Stars :: The DRIVE-IN-
Jump to: