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Classic Comedies to Make You Laugh Out Loud
There are few better ways to easily escape the trials of everyday life, relax and recharge than by enjoying the delightful world of screwball comedies made during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Here are ideas about which ones to watch from Lou Sabini, a noted film historian, writer and archivist (www.LouSabini.org).
Bombshell (1933). This wild satire was directed by Victor Fleming, who would go on to make Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz (both 1939 releases). It features the all-but-forgotten Lee Tracy, cast as an obnoxious Hollywood press agent who will write anything about a platinum blonde, sex-siren movie star (Jean Harlow), no matter how scandalous it may be, as long as it makes front-page headlines.
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It Happened One Night (1934). The first film to win the five major Academy Awards (picture, actor, actress, director, screenplay), it stars Clark Gable as a reporter who sets out to cover the story of a runaway heiress (Claudette Colbert). A timeless classic from Frank Capra.
The Thin Man (1934). This mystery/comedy spawned five superb sequels starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, who own a wire-haired terrier named Asta. It was shot in only 12 days (some sources say 16) by W.S. "One-Take Woody" Van Dyke.
Libeled Lady (1936). Only MGM, which boasted it had "more stars than there are in the heavens," could deliver this cast, starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow. Powell is hired by newspaperman Tracy to keep rich heiress Loy from suing the newspaper for libel after a scandalous story about her is printed by accident. Add Harlow to the proceedings, and the results are hilarious.
Topper (1937). Roland Young stars as henpecked husband Cosmo Topper in this comedy from Hal Roach Studios, which was responsible for The Little Rascals/Our Gang and Laurel and Hardy. Cary Grant and Constance Bennett play the ghostly Kerbys, who, before they can enter the "Pearly Gates" of the beyond, have to perform a good deed. They decide to free Topper of his inhibitions. My Man Godfrey (1936). Carole Lombard and William Powell costar in this zany comedy about a family of eccentric millionaires who hire a hobo to work as their butler. Through a series of frenzied mishaps, their daughter falls for the hobo, not realizing that he is, in reality, a Boston blueblood. The wonderful supporting cast includes Eugene Pallette, Alice Brady and Mischa Auer. Directed by Gregory La Cava.
Midnight (1939). Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche star in this madcap comedy. The screenplay was written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett. Penniless Colbert masquerades as a countess and gets involved in a marital triangle. John Barrymore steals the picture.
Sullivan’s Travels (1941). One of my favorite films of all time, this brilliant comedy from writer/director Preston Sturges is about a movie comedy producer who sets out to make a "good deep-dished drama" called O Brother, Where Art Thou? Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake star.
Source: Lou Sabini is a noted film historian, writer and archivist currently conducting film screenings throughout Connecticut and New York. He is writing a book about Hollywood’s “forgotten” films that are worthy of rediscovery.
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