We're all familiar with the classic genre of the 'screwball comedy' and with all the craziness going on in the world today it's nice to be able to kick back, relax, and enjoy the mind numbing-ness of escapism that so many films are able to portray perfectly. Many film critics agree and disagree with the time frame of when the screwball comedy came to be but in general they peaked from about 1934 until the 1940s.
Scary concept to the untrained film buff, you may be thinking 'what?! 1930s and 40s?! Where's my Michael Bay BIG EXPLOSIONS' sorry everyone, but I feel you must appreciate the oldies in order to see the crazy crap being thrown our way no a days and having being told that it's 'good film making'.
What's so interesting and different about the screwball comedy genre is that it's the ultimate way screenwriters gained revenge on their Hays Code making counterparts within the industry. If you're not familiar with the Hays Code it's basically a set of rules created for film makers to abide by after society felt that Hollywood was taking over their beliefs and wrecking havoc on their youth (too bad they didn't know the times now) and of course the screenwriters of that time were as clever as ever and found the loop holes. Screwball is also known as 'a sex comedy without the sex".
More specifically I'd like to mention Howard Hawks an American film director/producer/screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era and his 1938 film Bringing Up Baby. The film stars Hollywood hot shots Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, an unlikely duo for the time especially since Katharine Hepburn was seen as a snobby socialite. Her role in this film is a goofy individual with a truly unique way of going about living life. Cary Grant plays an uptight Scientist who gets all tangled up in Katharine Hepburn's character's antics placing them in some obscene predicaments from time to time. You've got to be on your toes throughout the pacing of this film or you may miss a joke or two, that is the flow of the screwball, quick commentary pokes and fast dialogue between characters. This film is a must see in my book and if you appreciate well-written films with outstanding actors than you'll appreciate this film without a doubt.
No comments:
Post a Comment