Join distinguished professor, film expert, and author Wes Gehring along with host Andy Nelson for a special extended episode exploring the delightful world of screwball comedy. In this unique presentation, listeners get access to the complete conversation typically split between public and member segments, covering ten essential films from this beloved subgenre that emerged during Hollywood's Golden Age.
The Essential Elements of Screwball ComedyThe discussion explores what defines screwball comedy, from rapid-fire dialogue and class conflicts to eccentric heiresses and befuddled leading men. Gehring explains how the Hays Code shaped the genre's signature wit and innuendo, while Depression-era audiences' desire for escapism led to lavish settings and wealthy characters.
Ten Classic and Modern Screwball ComediesAndy and Wes analyze ten films spanning several decades: It Happened One Night (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), Bringing Up Baby (1938), My Favorite Wife (1940), The Lady Eve (1941), I Married a Witch (1942), What's Up, Doc? (1972), Arthur (1981), All of Me (1984), and A Fish Called Wanda (1988). They explore how directors like Howard Hawks, Preston Sturges, and Peter Bogdanovich each brought their unique vision to the genre while maintaining its core elements.
The Legacy Lives OnThough screwball comedy peaked in the 1930s and early 1940s, its influence extends far beyond that era. The episode concludes by examining how modern filmmakers continue to draw from the genre's playbook, while acknowledging both its progressive elements and dated aspects.
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