Designing The Movies: THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937)

Runtime: 91 mins | Release Year: 1937 | Rating: NR | Genre(s): Comedy, Romance
Production Country: USA | Original Language: English

Showtimes
‣ Thursday November 28th @ 06:45 PM

Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in the screwball hit of 1937!

This irresistible romance begins with a divorce. After they suspect the other’s infidelity, Lucy and Jerry Warriner file an amicable suit to split up, but while battling for custody of their dog the divorcing couple keep getting mixed up in each other’s lives. Leo McCarey won the Best Director Oscar for this laugh-out-loud screwball treasure (also nominated for best picture, acting and screenplay laurels), the first to pair comedic geniuses Grant and Dunne. Our personal favourite screwball heroine delivers a luminous and especially hilarious performance playing not only off Grant but sublimely subtle Ralph Bellamy and Cecil Cunningham in supporting roles. The whole thing crackles with the off-kilter energy of McCarey’s directorial style, where much of the blocking, dialogue and comic bits were improvised with the cast. Not only is it one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time, The Awful Truth is among the most fashionable of classic Hollywood, juxtaposing inspired slapstick with sparkling gowns (by Kalloch).
Bewildered by what Julia Roberts and George Clooney were trying to achieve in their middling remarriage comedy throwback Ticket to Paradise? See The Awful Truth and all will be revealed. It’s the genre’s finest.
Presented with an introduction by series host Nathalie Atkinson.
About the Series
Created and hosted by culture writer and film critic Nathalie Atkinson, a columnist for The Globe and Mail and Zoomer magazine, Designing the Movies makes elements like art direction, costume and sets the lens for analysis. Each screening is introduced with a slide show and an expert talk or special guest Q&A. Follow us on FB and Instagram.

Part of the Designing the Movies series!

Cast/Crew Info
Director:
Leo McCarey | Cast: Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander D’Arcy, Cecil Cunningham