screwball-comedy

Friday Film Review: What’s Up Doc

Friday Film Review: What’s Up Doc

What’s Up Doc (1972) Genre: Screwball Comedy/Romance Grade: A- Judy: Love means never having to say you’re sorry. Howard: That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. Lots of people have tried to make screwball comedies in the decades after its 30/40s heydays but very few have actually succeeded. Usually, IMO, because they try too hard(…)

Friday Film Review: Bachelor Mother

Friday Film Review: Bachelor Mother

Bachelor Mother (1939) Genre: Screwball Comedy Grade: B J.B. Merlin: I don’t care who the father is, I’m the grandfather! Finding a New Year’s Eve movie is tough and I’d almost given up until I remembered this one. It’s got humor, dancing, a sweet romance, a cute baby and one determined grandfather. Polly Parrish (Ginger(…)

Friday Film Reviews: The Lady Eve

Friday Film Reviews: The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve (1941) Genre: Screwball comedy/romance Grade B For some reason I’d missed watching this movie until recently. Preston Sturges films either work well for me or bomb and after a miss with “Christmas in July,” I hesitated on trying “The Lady Eve.” Now that I’ve seen it, I wish I’d watched it years(…)

REVIEW: Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan

REVIEW: Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan

Dear Ms. Donovan: It is no secret that I am a fan of your early books, especially Knock Me Off My Feet and Take A Chance on Me. The quirky characters, quirkier animals, semi-farcical situations, and likeable heroines all appeal to me. It is also no secret that I have not been as enchanted with(…)

Friday Film Review: The Rage of Paris

Friday Film Review: The Rage of Paris

The Rage of Paris (1938) Genre: Romantic Comedy (slightly screwball-ish) Grade: B I put this one in my Netflix queue because it was linked to another film in the “if you like that you may like this” manner. I didn’t have great expectations for it but thought, “eh, it’s only 78 minutes and it has(…)

Friday Film Review: Hail the Conquering Hero

Friday Film Review: Hail the Conquering Hero

Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) Genre: Screwball comedy Grade: B+ Preston Sturges is known for his satires of the Hays Code restrictions for Hollywood films and “Hail the Conquering Hero” is one of my favorites of his. It’s got the usual group of actors Sturges liked to work with as well as his usual trademark(…)

REVIEW: One Love for Liv by Marianne Arkins

REVIEW: One Love for Liv by Marianne Arkins

Dear Mrs. Arkins, My decision to try another of your books coincided nicely with Samhain’s offer of this novel. It’s longer length, screwball comedy feel and more contemporary setting are a 180 degree contrast with the historical novella “Don’t Fence Me In” and gave me a good chance to see what else your writing has(…)

REVIEW:  I Take This Man by Valerie Frankel

REVIEW: I Take This Man by Valerie Frankel

Dear Mrs Frankel, This has to be every woman’s nightmare. The details have been haggled over for months, the $$$ dress has been bought, guests are gathered, the shrimp is marinating, the ice sculpture is being chiseled into shape and the groom is a &^%$#@ no show. And if the wedding is costing her parents(…)