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Dad's Top
20 Screwball Comedy Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable
Mention |
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Christmas in Connecticut (1945),
Director: Peter Godfrey, Rated Approved
It's
the fun show that's the one show to see!
 Starring:
Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald
Gardiner, S. Z. Sakall, Robert Shayne, Una O'Connor, Frank
Jenks, Joyce Compton, Dick Elliott
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"All my life I
promised myself a mink coat. You know, Felix, it's very
important to keep promises, especially to yourself." -
Elizabeth Lane
Why watch this? This
screwball holiday classic bounces off a lot of walls, and
thoroughly entertains.
Plot Summary:
Elizabeth Lane writes a well-known weekly newspaper article
about her country lifestyle which includes a Connecticut farm,
husband, baby, and her set of delicious recipes. The only issue
is that she's actually single, lives in a NYC flat, and
can't boil an egg (the recipes are from her chef "uncle", Felix
Bassenak). Her publisher, Mr. Yardley has no idea of her
charade, and requires that she host a Christmas dinner at her
farm, for returning war hero Jeff Jones, who loves her recipes.
This forces Elizabeth into a jam to keep up the ruse or lose her
job.
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Dad's Preview: The theme is basically "how far can you carry a lie until
it backfires on you." Regardless, it does make for a very funny
Christmas yarn centered on a spunky single lady, who will do
almost anything to stay employed. That is, until she falls in
love with the right guy. Stanwyck's dry sense of humor is a
delight as Ms. Lane, while Sydney Greenstreet also shines as her
demanding boss. |
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William
Jacobs; Warner Bros. |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#20 Top |
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Barbie
(2023),
Director: Greta Gerwig, rated PG-13
She's everything. He's just Ken.
 Starring:
Margo Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, America
Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren
(narrator), Will Ferrell, Michael Cera
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"It is literally
impossible to be a woman... You have to never get old, never be
rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never
fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard!
It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says
thank you!" -
Gloria
Why watch this?
It is so much more than a cute little film about dolls for
girls.
Plot Summary: After
experiencing an existential crisis, a "stereotypical" Barbie
leaves the seemingly perfect Barbieland to travel to the
human world in order to find her true purpose. She is
accompanied by Ken, who discovers a newfound, distorted
appreciation for patriarchy and brings these ideas back to their
home, causing a chaotic shift in power dynamics. Barbie must
then work to restore balance to her world while coming to terms
with the complexities of humanity.
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Dad's Preview: After
the creation of this film I am wagering that there was a pink
paint shortage. My wife was constantly screaming things like, "I
had Quick Curl Barbie!" Using Mattel's iconic blonde gal,
magically portrayed by Margo Robbie, and her chic accessories,
many themes are hilariously explored: commercialism, toxic
masculinity, and the systematic oppression of women. It's not
even trying to hide it. It is hard to comprehend how a film
about plastic playthings can be so controversial, but it caused
a right-wing meltdown akin to Biden trying to pass gun
legislation. God, what causes such fear and insecurity in so
many men. My advice - Grow up. Stop being misogynistic jerks.
It's a bad look. Your mother was a woman, so show some damn
respect. After all, they are women, hear them roar. |
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Heyday Films,
LuckyChap Ent., NB/GG Pics,
Mattel Films; Warner Bros. Pictures
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#19 Top |
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Charade (1983),
Director: Stanley Donen, Rated Approved
Is
Anyone Really Who They Seem To Be?
 Starring:
Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George
Kennedy, Dominique Minot, Ned Glass, Jacqeus Marin, Paul Bonifas
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Of course, you won't
be able to lie on your back for a while but then you can lie
from any position, can't you?" - Reggie Lampert
Why watch this? It
has been called "the best Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made"
Plot Summary:
After the suspicious death of her husband in Paris, Regina
"Reggie" Lampert, garners a lot of interest from many
individuals including the local police inspector, three
extremely tough henchmen, a CIA Administrator, and a suave,
charming American. The focus is centered around $250,000 dollars
in gold that went missing during World War II. Apparently her
late husband double-crossed his cohorts, and they're ready to
collect.
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Dad's Preview: This delightful
who's who mystery keeps you
guessing to the very exciting end. The chemistry between Grant
and Hepburn is a pleasure, even if he might be one of the bad
guys. Convincing villains make any film better,
and here my hat goes off to the cool, calculating James Coburn and ruthless,
hook-handed
George Kennedy. |
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Stanley
Donen Films; Universal Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#18 Top |
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Foul Play (1978),
Director: Collin Higgins, rated PG
It's a highly dangerous comedy!!
 Starring:
Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Brian Dennehy,
Dudley Moore, Rachel Roberts, Eugene Roche, William Frankfather
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"That's
right, honey. You've attacked... an innocent dwarf." - Lt.
Tony Carlson
Why watch this?
I can watch Chevy and Goldie all day.
Plot Summary:
Gloria Mundy is a mild-mannered librarian who becomes embroiled
in a murder plot after picking up a hitchhiker. She finds
herself pursued by mysterious figures and a seemingly clueless
police detective. As the situation escalates, the two must
uncover the truth behind the conspiracy before it's too late.
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Dad's Preview:
Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn made two films together, the other
being
Seems Like Old
Times (1980). Both are wonderful, light comedies that
feature their enjoyable chemistry. This film centers on: a girl
being wrongfully pursued, an amorous detective, an albino
assassin, a dwarf, a different guy called "The Dwarf" and a friendly
pervert. It's a hilarious who-done-it romp with ton of laughs.
The scene where a limo is temporarily hijacked is one of the
funniest ever! |
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Edward K.
Millkis, Thomas L. Miller;
Paramount Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#17 Top |
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My Man Godfrey (1936),
Director: Gregory La Cava, Rated Approved The Most Tickling
and Tantalizing Entertainment That Ever Sparkled From The
Screen...
 Starring:
William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick,
Eugene Pallette, Jean Dixon, Alan Mowbray, Mischa Auer, Pat
Flaherty, Robert Light, Ernie Adams, Jimmy Aye
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"The only difference
between a derelict and a man is a job." –
Godfrey
Why watch this? Wit
and romance abound in this Depression-era comedy.
Plot Summary:
During a high-society scavenger hunt, a flighty socialite
encounters a sharp-witted forgotten man living in a city dump
and hires him as her family's new butler. As he navigates the
chaotic antics of the eccentric and wealthy Bullock household,
he subtly begins to influence their lives while hiding his own
mysterious past. His presence eventually forces the family to
confront their superficiality, leading to a series of
revelations that redefine his relationship with the woman who
found him.
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Dad's Preview:
Few actors could wield verbal jabs like William Powell. His
character, Godfrey, and thus the film's viewpoint, is very
critical of the government's handling of the Great Depression
and the rich folks oblivious to it. He's perfectly paired with
Carole Lombard, who portrays an adorable, yet ditzy, socialite
who takes in the homeless Powell and makes him her protégé and
butler. However, there is more to Godfrey than meets the eye.
This is screwball comedy 101, yet it's full of intelligent
social commentary. The film was nominated for six Academy
Awards, but came away empty-handed, which is a real crime. |
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Charles R. Rogers;
Universal Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#16 Top |
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Pillow Talk (1959),
Director: Michael Gordon, rated Passed
Footloose
bachelor...beautiful career girl...and the world's most
fascinating pastime!
 Starring: Rock
Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Thelma Ritter, Nick Adams,
Julia Meade, Allen Jenkins, Marcel Dalio, Lee Patrick
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"If there's anything worse
than a woman living alone, it's a woman saying she likes it." - Alma
Why watch this?
Doris Day was the classic "girl next door" - cute, innocent, and
spunky.
Plot Summary:
Jan Morrow is a successful interior decorator and Brad Allen is
a playboy songwriter. They both are forced to share a telephone
party line. Jan becomes increasingly frustrated with Brad's
incessant phone chatter and his womanizing ways. In an attempt
to win her over, Brad disguises himself as a Texas rancher,
unaware that Jan already knows and despises his true identity.
Their feud and the romantic entanglement are further complicated
by the interventions of their mutual friend, Jonathan Forbes,
who is also enamored with Jan.
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Dad's Preview:
There is a long list of very good 1950-60's romantic comedies
that featured the adorable singer Doris Day. She played
opposite most leading men: James Stewart, James Garner, Cary
Grant, and here, Rock Hudson. In this film, which could easily
have been titled "Party Line", Day and Hudson share
the same telephone line. She's not impressed with the confident "ladies
man", but eventually falls for his gentle charm. This film is often
considered Day's greatest comedy, and it earned her an Oscar nomination
for Best Actress. |
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Arwin Productions,
Avernus Productions;
Universal Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#15 Top |
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Arsenic and Old Lace (1943),
Director: Frank Capra, rated Approved
At least
5 times as funny as the play!
 Starring: Cary
Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, Priscilla Lane, Jack Carson,
Josephine Hull, Jean Adair
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Insanity runs in my
family... It practically gallops." –
Mortimer Brewster
Why watch this?
An eerie comedy (today we'd call it a "black comedy") from the great Frank Capra.
Plot Summary: A
drama critic, Mortimer Brewster, discovers a shocking secret
about his beloved, eccentric aunts. On his wedding day, he must
navigate this alarming discovery while also dealing with his
other peculiar family members, including a brother who thinks
he's Teddy Roosevelt. Mortimer tries to protect his new wife
from the unsettling truth while figuring out how to handle his
family's unusual circumstances.
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Dad's Preview:
Cary Grant again shines in this odd little Capra comedy. He portrays a normal
man who lives with his two sweet old aunts. There is, however, one small
detail: they are murdering their suitors. The whole movie
revolves around this revelation. So, how do you go about hiding
the bodies? It's macabre, but strangely hilarious, as the aunts
continually court men seeking their fortune, then poison them. The plot is unique
and crazy enough to help it stand out above most of the screwball
comedies of that period. |
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Frank
Capra, Jack L. Warner; Warner Bros. |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#14 Top |
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After Hours (1985),
Director: Martin Scorsese, rated R for language,
some nudity
What
if that date you thought would never end, didn't?
 Starring:
Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Verna Bloom, Thomas Chong,
Linda Fiorentino, Tery Garr, John Heard, Cheech Marin, Catherine
O'Hara, Dick Miller, Will Patton
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"What do you want
from me? What have I done? I'm just a word processor, for Christ
sake!" - Paul Hackett
Why watch this?
An ordinary office worker unwillingly has a NYC night like no
other.
Plot Summary:
Paul Hackett, a word processor, embarks on a seemingly innocent
late-night adventure in SoHo, New York, after meeting a
mysterious woman. His initial encounter leads to a series of
increasingly bizarre and frustrating situations that trap him in
a nightmarish loop. Paul desperately attempts to return to his
normal life, but the city seems determined to prevent him from
doing so, throwing strange characters and obstacles in his path.
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Dad's Preview:
Griffin Dunne, hot off
An American Werewolf in
London (1981), stars in this late-night cityscape romp.
As the night drags on, and his lack of sleep kicks in, he
gets more and more agitated... and desperate. It is a
career-defining performance.
I really think this was director Scorsese's vehicle to capture the
unexpected dangers around every corner in his beloved Big Apple.
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Double
Play; The Geffen Company |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#13 Top |
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You Can't Take It with You (1938),
Director: Frank Capra, Rated Approved
The Great Pulitzer Prize
Play Now the Screen's Outstanding Picture!
 Starring:
Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Edward Arnold,
Mischa Auer, Ann Miller, Spring Byington, Samuel S. Hinds,
Donald Meek, H. B. Warner, Halliwell Hobbes, Dub Taylor, Mary
Forbes, Lillian Yarbo, Eddie Anderson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"You may be a high
mogul to yourself, Mr. Kirby, but to me you're a failure -
failure as a man, failure as a human being, even a failure as a
father. When your time comes, I doubt if a single tear will be
shed over you." –
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff
Why watch this?
It's a splendid story about living a life with meaning, not
possessions.
Plot Summary: An
ordinary young woman from an eccentric family falls in love with
the son of her wealthy, straight-laced boss. The young lovers
hope for a future together despite the extreme differences
between their families' attitudes towards life and money. During
a disastrous dinner party, the couple's unconventional relatives
collide with the snobbish, conservative family of the fiancé.
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Dad's Preview:
There are themes that flow through Frank Capra films, such as (Meet
John Doe (1941) and
It's A Wonderful
Life (1946)): one man against the corporate
machine, decency vs. greed, American ideals and a loveable
affinity for oddballs. This wildly entertaining film borders on
slapstick/screwball comedy as we get to know its two families:
the wealthy, snobbish Kirbys and the eccentric clan living with
their patriarch, Grandpa Vanderhof (delightfully portrayed by
Lionel Barrymore). The problem starts when Tony Kirby falls in
love with Vanderhof's grand-daughter Alice. What ensues is a
comical clash of the titans. It's populated with many colorful
characters, and some old-fashioned wisdom that, in my opinion,
all of us could use in today's world. |
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Frank Capra; Columbia Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#12 Top |
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Airplane! (1980),
Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, rated PG for language,
suggestive humor
What's
slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall
buildings at a single bound?
 Starring: Robert
Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd
Bridges, Robert Stack, Stephen Stucker, Barbara Billingsley
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"There's no reason to
become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your
flight. By the way,
is there anyone on board who knows how to
fly a plane?"
- cabin
announcement by Head Flight
Attendant Elaine Dickinson
Why watch this?
A superb comedy if you just want to laugh and not have to think.
Plot Summary:
(as if the plot matters...) When the crew and passengers of a
commercial flight fall victim to severe food poisoning, a former
fighter pilot, who is afraid of flying, must step up to the
challenge. With the help of a gruff air-traffic controller and
his old commander, he faces his fears and attempts to land the
plane safely. He navigates difficult weather and personal trauma
to ensure the lives of everyone on board.
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Dad's Preview:
"Surely, you must love this film?"... "I do... and please don't
call me Shirley". This is the spoof of all film spoofs, taking
aim at the lauded Airport film franchise. It's a series of absurd situations,
snappy one-liners, and it is ALL hilarious! You'll find
something you like amid all the segments, be it a sex-craved inflatable
autopilot, the ding-bat stewardess, or the airport control tower
loaded with morons and drug-addicts. |
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Howard W.
Koch Productions;
Paramount Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#11 Top |
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A Fish Called Wanda (1988),
Directors: Charles Crichton, John Cleese, rated R for
language, crude humor
A tale
of murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood.
 Starring: John
Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Maria
Aitken, Patricia Hayes, Tom Georgeson, Geoffrey Palmer
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"To call you stupid would
be an insult to stupid people. I've known sheep
that could
outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs!" -
Wanda, yelling at Otto
Why watch this?
This very smart comedy gave us that little taste of Python
we were needing.
Plot Summary: A
London gangster, his right-hand man, and a duo of American con
artists team up for a jewel heist. Wanda Gershwitz, one of the
Americans, and her partner Otto West, plan to betray their
British collaborators and keep the loot for themselves, but a
double-cross within the gang leaves the jewels' location
unknown. Wanda then sets out to seduce George's stuffy
barrister, Archie Leach, in hopes of discovering where the
diamonds are hidden, all while dealing with her jealous partner
and the bungled attempts to silence a key witness.
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Dad's Preview:
The film revolves around a diamond heist and a cast of oddly
wonderful characters who stumble their way through the entire
ordeal. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for this part as Otto, a
mean-spirited weapon's expert who hates English people. Jamie
Lee Curtis is likewise wonderful as the sexy, intelligent Wanda.
Cleese and Palin are along for some comic relief. |
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Prominent Features;
MGM/UA
Communications Co. |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#10 Top |
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To Be or Not to Be
(1942),
Director: Ernst Lubitsch, rated Approved
The Picture
Everyone Wants To See.
 Starring: Carol
Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, Felix Bressart, Lionel Atwill,
Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Tom Dugan, Charles Halton, George
Lynn, Henry Victor, Maude Eburne, Halliwell Hobbes, Miles Mander
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"It's becoming
ridiculous the way you grab attention. Whenever I start to tell
a story, you finish it. If I go on a diet, you lose the weight.
If I have a cold, you cough. And if we should ever have a baby,
I'm not so sure I'd be the mother." – Maria Tura to her
husband, Josef
Why watch this?
It's a comedy about Nazis... and it's very funny.
Plot Summary:
In 1939 Warsaw, a hammy theatrical troupe led by a vain
husband-and-wife acting team finds their lives upended by the
Nazi invasion of Poland. When a handsome Polish pilot discovers
a spy in their midst, he enlists the help of the actors to
thwart a dangerous collaborator planning to betray the
resistance. Using their professional skills for disguise and
performance, the actors execute a series of high-stakes
impersonations to outwit the Gestapo.
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Dad's Preview:
Whoever stated that early Hollywood didn't embrace
controversy is wrong. This film, released one year after
the U.S. entered the fray, takes full satirical, comedic
aim at the German war machine, and its enigmatic leader.
Many critics of that time loved the actors' zany
performances, but thought it was in bad taste. How could
they make light of a regime bringing such horrors to the
world? Today, the retrospective view is that this is one
of the greatest comedies ever made. Jack Benny's wry
one-liners are hilarious, as he spars with the equally
witty Carol Lombard. Clark Gable's wife at the time, she
tragically died in a plane crash a month before the
film's opening. She was only 33. |
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Ernst Lubitsch,
Romaine Film Corp.;
United Artists |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#9 Top |
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Desperately Seeking Susan
(1985),
Director: Susan Seidelman, rated PG for language,
brief nudity
Roberta is desperate to be Susan. Susan is wanted by the
mob. The mob finds Roberts instead...
 Starring: Rosanna
Arquette, Madonna, Aidan Quinn, Robert Joy, Mark Blum, Laurie
Metcalf, Anna Levine, Will Patton
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Yeah,
well, fortunately, for everybody, I'm here and I'm thinking." -
Susan
Why watch this?
A great story of mistaken identity... and misplaced adoration.
Plot Summary:
Roberta Glass is a bored New Jersey housewife fascinated with a
mysterious woman named Susan, whose life she follows through
personal ads in the newspaper. This fascination, and a knock on
the head, leads Roberta to be mistaken for the free-spirited
Susan. Roberta becomes entangled in a wild mix-up involving some
dangerous characters. As Roberta navigates Susan's life, she
finds herself discovering more about who she truly wants to be.
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Dad's Preview:
I love Madonna. She is quite an American success story. She
busted her tail to make it. She's all pop-star-diva, brutally
honest feminist and rebel against the machine, but she's also a
very good actress. She has never strayed away from her
sexuality. She is who she is, and I like that. This light, fun
film teams her with Rosanna Arquette, who plays a girl who has
lost her memory. Though they rarely share the screen, they
admire each other from a distance. It's a superb plot to unravel
the identity mystery. |
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Sarah
Pillsbury, Midge Sanford;
Orion
Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#8 Top |
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Ball of Fire (1941),
Director: Howard Hawks, rated Approved
The
New Year's red-hot comedy!
 Starring:
Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Oscar Homolka, Henry Travers, S.
Z. Sakall, Tully Marshall, Leonid Kenskey, Richard Haydn, Aubrey
Mather, Allen Jenkins, Dana Andrews, Dan Duryea, Ralph Peters
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"That is the kind of
woman that makes whole civilizations topple!" - Miss Bragg,
the maid
Why watch this? You
are officially witnessing my new love affair with the amazing
Barbara Stanwyck.
Plot Summary: Our
story starts with a group of seven men, all unmarried bachelors.
Each is over the age of 65, except one young, innocent, and
quite handsome chap, Prof. Bertram Potts. They live together in
a massive mansion, their years long charge is the creation of a
new Encyclopedia. Each fellow has an area of expertise: math,
science, etc. Mr. Potts, the English savant, realizes that his
slang interpretations are out-dated, so he must venture out
among real people. On his journey he chances upon glitzy, glamour girl Katherine "Sugarpuss" O'Shea, who happens to be the
squeeze of local mob boss, Joe Lilac.
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Dad's Preview:
This romantic comedy is simply a bundle of screwball joy. Under Howard Hawks'
steady direction, the film is very entertaining, with laughs to
spare. It was brilliant to cast the sheepish Cooper against the
tour-de-feminine-force that is Barbara Stanwyck. If you like Rom-Coms,
I highly recommend this Hollywood classic for you. |
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Samuel
Goldwyn Prods; RKO Radio Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#7 Top |
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The Thin Man
(1934),
Director: W.S. Van Dyke, rated TV-PG
Dashiell Hammett's
Master Mystery
 Starring:
William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton, Minna Gombell,
Porter Hall, Henry Wadsworth, William Henry, Harold Huber, Cesar Romero, Skippy
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Waiter, will you
serve the nuts? I mean, will you serve the guests the nuts?" -
Nora Charles
Why watch this?
This is screwball comedy ground zero, and it's wonderful.
Plot Summary:
When an eccentric inventor mysteriously vanishes and his former
associate is found murdered, his desperate daughter pleads with
a retired private detective to take the case. Although initially
reluctant, the laid-back investigator and his sharp, wealthy
wife dive into the increasingly tangled investigation for their
own entertainment. The couple navigates a web of eccentric
suspects and dangerous encounters, ultimately hosting an elegant
dinner party to expose the true culprit.
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Dad's Preview:
This lovely film, based on the Dashiell Hammett novel, harkens
back to a time when it was considered cheeky to solve mysteries
while half drunk. We are introduced to Nick and Nora Charles, a
leisurely (and married) detective team always looking for a
case. The star of this caper is Nick (William Powell) and Nora's
(Myrna Loy) witty banter. I remember thinking I wanted my
marriage to be like theirs. This popular film series spawned
five sequels - quite a feat for those days. Of course, I must
mention Asta, the wonder terrier, the most famous Hollywood
hound since Lassie! Without that furry sleuth, they would never
have solved a crime. |
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Hunt Stromberg,
Cosmopolitan Prod.,
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's Inc. |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#6 Top |
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The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
(1988),
Director: David Zucker, rated PG-13 for
language, crude humor
If you see
only one movie this year...you ought to get out more often.
 Starring: Leslie
Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalbán, George Kennedy,
O. J. Simpson, Susan Beaubian, Nancy Marchand, Raye Birk,
Jeannette Charles
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"It's true what they say:
Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano.
Sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." –
Frank Drebin
Why watch this?
To laugh... A lot. It's non-stop.
Plot Summary:
Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad investigates the attempted
murder of his partner, Nordberg. This investigation leads him to
uncover a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during her
visit to Los Angeles. Frank must work to thwart the
assassination attempt, find out who shot Nordberg, and manage
his romantic entanglement with Jane Spencer, the assistant to
the suspicious businessman Vincent Ludwig.
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Dad's Preview:
I thought the silly
Airplane!
(1980) was
entertaining with its puns and
goofy skits and sight gags. It also starred straight-faced Leslie Nielsen. Why
Naked Gun impacted me so differently I cannot guess, but I
love this film. It is a spin-off from a failed TV show that was
surprisingly cancelled after 8 episodes. Nielsen plays dead-pan police Lt.
Frank Drebin. He bumbles his way through every scene with
hilarious skill (or lack of). Every gag and funny line feels new.
You'll find it hard to stop laughing. I DO recommend the two sequels -
they are almost as funny as the original.
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Robert K. Weiss; Paramount Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#5 Top |
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Some Like It Hot
(1959),
Director: Billy Wilder, rated Approved
The MOST comedy ever
made! The BIGGEST comedy ever made!
The HOTTEST comedy ever
made!
 Starring:
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Lack Lemmon, George Raft, pat O'Brien, Joe E.
Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, Joan Shawlee, Billy Gray, George E. Stone, Dave Barry,
Mike Mazurki
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Will you look at
that! Look how she moves! It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have
some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a
whole different sex!" - Jerry after Sugar strides by
Why watch this?
Marilyn. Monroe.
Plot Summary:
Two male musicians witness a mob hit and, to escape the
gangsters, disguise themselves as women and join an all-female
band heading to Florida. While maintaining their false
identities, one falls for the band's beautiful singer, Sugar,
while the other is pursued by a millionaire. Their attempts to
evade the mobsters and navigate these romantic complications
lead to a series of comedic and often precarious situations.
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Dad's Preview:
It really wasn't fair to Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Here they
give incredible performances, acting as male and female
characters (Lemmon was nominated for Best Actor, Curtis should
have been). They're incredibly funny as two cross-dressing mob
band members on the sly. But neither could hold a candle to
Marilyn. She's captivating. She sings. She's funny. She's sexy -
they never had a chance. In this
well-paced, bouncy joyride, I found myself smiling a lot and
laughing often. It sits on a ton of Best Of All Time film
lists, usually at the top. It certainly upped the sexuality ante
for films going forward. This is a delightful classic has that
left its mark on cinema. |
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Billy Wilder,
Mirisch Co.; United Artists |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#4 Top |
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Seems Like Old Times
(1980),
Director: Jay Sandrich, Rated PG-13 for language
Her ex-husband
just robbed a bank... and she's taking his case.
 Starring: Chevy
Chase, Goldie Hawn, Charles Grodin, Robert Guillaume, Yvonne
Wilder, Harold Gould, T. K. Carter
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"I hope they shoot you! I
hope they shoot you in my kitchen! And when they drag your dead
body out of here,
I hope they shoot you again!" - Glenda
Parks
Why watch this?
This is my favorite Chevy Chase film. Goldie Hawn is adorable.
Plot Summary:
Nick Gardenia, a writer, is kidnapped and forced to rob a bank,
becoming a fugitive from the law. He seeks refuge with his
ex-wife, Glenda, a public defender who is now married to the
District Attorney, Ira, who happens to be pursuing Nick's case.
Glenda hides Nick in their home, leading to a series of comedic
misunderstandings and near-discoveries as she tries to protect
him from her husband and the authorities.
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Dad's Preview:
Chevy and Goldie demonstrated some on-screen chemistry in
Foul Play (1978). They re-teamed for this wonderful Neil
Simon romantic comedy.
He's a down-on-his-luck writer who manages to become a wanted
man. She's
his ex-wife, and an attorney, therefore he comes to her for help. Her
current husband is the District Attorney. The hilarity
ensues as she tries to keep Chevy's presence a secret because
the bad press would sink her husband's election campaign. How
this one works out is a joy to watch. |
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Raster; Columbia
Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#3 Top |
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There's Something About Mary (1998),
Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly, rated R for
language, crude humor
Everyone's
talking about Mary...
 Starring:
Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans, Chris Elliott, Lin Shaye,
Jeffrey Tambor, Markie Post, Keith David, Sarah Silverman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I want a guy who can play
36 holes of golf, and still have enough energy to take Warren
and me
to a baseball game, and eat hot dogs, I'm talking sausage
hot dogs and beer, not Lite beer, but beer.
That's my ad, print
it up." - Mary
Why watch this?
This film has certainly grown on me. It's gross and crude, but
what the hell - it very much fits me.
Plot Summary:
Ted attempts to reconnect with his high school crush, Mary, whom
he hasn't seen since a disastrous prom night incident. He hires
a private investigator to find her, but the detective, Pat
Healy, also becomes infatuated with Mary and tries to win her
over by sabotaging Ted's efforts. This leads to a comedic
entanglement as various men, including Mary's friend Tucker,
resort to increasingly desperate and deceptive measures to
secure her affection.
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Dad's Preview:
This Farrelly brothers' effort is inappropriate, gross, sexually
over-the-top, yet somehow manages to be one of the funniest love
stories committed to film. Stiller, per usual, plays the nice guy too shy
and awkward to get the girl. Matt Dillon, as Healy, steals a lot of scenes,
yet it's the clumsy chemistry between Stiller and Diaz that
carries the film. That and the fact that no "dating disaster"
topics are off-limits for our demented filmmakers. If somebody
offers you hair gel, must ignore them. |
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Michael Steinberg,
Bradley Thomas, Charles B.
Wessler,
Frank Beddor;
20th Century Fox |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#2 Top |
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It Happened One Night (1934),
Director: Frank Capra, rated Approved
Two great lovers
of the screen in the grandest of romantic comedies!
 Starring:
Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns, Alan Hale,
Jameson Thomas, Arthur Hoyt, Blanche Friderici
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Any guy that'd fall in
love with your daughter ought to have his head examined." -
Pete Warne
Why watch this?
It's one of those sweet, innocent films that don't get made
today.
Plot Summary:
Heiress Ellie Andrews escapes her domineering father, who
disapproves of her impulsive marriage, and attempts to travel to
New York to reunite with her new husband. On a cross-country bus
trip, she meets a cynical, unemployed newspaper reporter, Peter
Warne, who recognizes her from news reports about her
disappearance. He offers to help her evade the detectives in
exchange for an exclusive tell-all story. As they navigate their
journey, encountering various adventures and misadventures,
their initial animosity evolves into a mutual appreciation.
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Dad's Preview:
As innocent as this little Rom-Com appears today, it caused
quite a ruckus back in 1934. On the big screen, men and women never slept in the
same room. Heaven forbid! The confident Clark Gable and witty
Claudette Colbert
are certainly fun to watch, as they banter back and forth in
this screwball romantic comedy. The film won
the Best Picture Oscar. My mother confessed to me that this film
was the origin of her lifelong crush on the handsome Gable. |
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Frank Capra, Harry
Cohn; Columbia Pictures |
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Top 20
Screwball Comedy Films
#1 Top |
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The Philadelphia Story
(1940),
Director: George Cukor, rated Approved
The things they
do among the playful rich. Oh Boy!
 Starring: Cary
Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John
Howard, Virginia Weidler, John Halliday, Mary Nash, Rex Evans
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"That's the gist of it;
because you'll never be a first-class human being or a
first-class woman,
until you've learned to have some regard for
human frailty." – C. K. Dexter Haven
Why watch this?
Witty banter, social snobbery, misplaced affection, what's not
to love?
Plot Summary:
Socialite Tracy Lord is about to marry for the second time, but
her upcoming wedding plans are complicated by the unexpected
arrival of both her charming ex-husband and an inquisitive
magazine reporter. As the wedding approaches, Tracy finds
herself questioning her carefully constructed image and her
feelings towards the three men in her life. The film explores
themes of class, self-discovery, and the complexities of love as
Tracy navigates these turbulent waters.
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Dad's Preview: This
superb little story explores the life of a spoiled adult brat.
She's rich, headstrong, and takes a certain joy in toying with people. On
the eve of her marriage, an old boyfriend shows up alongside a
handsome young reporter who is infatuated with her. Let the fun
begin. This is a quick-witted, endearing romantic comedy that winds along to
a satisfying finish. This is Kate Hepburn at her finest. Grant
and Stewart are also wonderful in their supporting roles. |
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's, Inc. |
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