Three: The Awful Truth

In the early 1930s, Hollywood started to experiment beyond the classical western theatre by exploring situations and characters which fit more with time and the silver screen rather than the stage. One of such experiments was especially around the female character which could stand up on her own. The use of this kind of format combined with comedy gave the comedy genre called ‘Screwball Comedies’. One of these comedies was 1937 production called ‘The Awful Truth’ it stars Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Though the idea of ‘Screwball comedy’ can again be traced back to Shakespeare and his ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ but it wasn’t till the 30s that the strong women characters came out in the open. Another major social change that was happening in this post depression era was that even the rich were being portrayed as people who had common problems in love, life and money.

Though, like a lot of other genre it has been used again and again with all kinds of deviations and hence The Awful Truth doesn’t throw any surprises. Also with a very simple comic story that we have seen over and over again initially it doesn’t seem to be put in this list. However, even if it is predictable it grows on you.

Cary Grant is absolutely fantastic. His comic timing, his one liners and style are all of his own. No wonder Ian Fleming had him in mind when he created the character of James Bond. But Cary Grant was always common; his characters had nothing special to offer they were just you and me in special conditions. He portrayed that fabulously. Irene Dunne was wonderful too, though I haven’t seen any of her other works but this was a treat. Leo McCarey received the Academy award for the Best Director for it.

The movie starts with Grant & Dunne being married to each other and get into a fight due to a music teacher (played by Alexander D’Arcy) and that leads to their divorce. Enter another Oil magnet to woo Irene. One funny situation leads to another till it ends in Irene and Ralph Ballamy breaking up. However, by now Grant is supposed to be engaged to a rich heiress. But like all romantic comedies some fun is still in store.

My Favourite Scenes:

• Jerry, Lucy, Leeson and Dixie Belle sitting in a restaurant.
• Jerry clarifying to Leeson’s mother with his fingers crossed.
• The cap confusion with Jerry wearing a bigger hat.
• Lucy remembering wedding vows.
• Lucy and Jerry riding police motorcycles.

My favourite quotes:

• Oh, Mrs. Warriner, your husband is not like an American man, he has what I call a continental mind.
• Oh. Mr. Warriner, you are out of your continental mind.
• Dan Leeson: “New York, is good.... Jerry (with smug on his face) and Dan together: “for a visit but I wouldn’t like to live here.”
• Jerry (when Dixie is singing): “I just met her”
• Leeson: “I have certainly learnt about women from you.” Aunt Patsy: “Here is your diploma.”

Disappointments:

• I thought that the end scene was dragged a bit after a fast paced comedy for the first hour and half.
• A little choppy with characters coming and disappearing.

Rating: