Cary and Irene (THE AWFUL TRUTH)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

My Favorite Carole Lombard Screwball Comedies

I recently made a list of my favorite Carole Lombard films for my sister blog All Good Things honoring Carole as the classic movie goddess of the month. I thought I would break that list down even further and list my favorite screwball comedies of hers. So here we go:

MR. AND MRS. SMITH (1941) This delightful battle of the sexes that was surprisingly directed by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. It cast Carole and Robert Montgomery as a bickering couple who learn they are not really married. So now thinking they have to do it all over again, they wonder if it's worth it. This is my favorite film of Carole that she did for no other reason than it's a simple and fun little comedy. Lombard and Montgomery mesh well too. Great directing job by Hitch.

Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery

MY MAN GODFREY (1936) Carole is perfect as the dizzy socialite Irene Bullock who hires a vagrant played by William Powell) to be her family's butler. One of the best screwball comedies ever made. Lombard showed that her and Powell still had a great chemistry, considering they had just divorced a few years earlier.




















TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1942) The last film Carole made before her tragic death is one of her best. She plays actress Maria Tura, who is part of acting troupe in Poland contending with Nazis. Jack Benny plays her husband and they make for an entertaining pair.


To Be or Not to Be

HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE (1935) Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray team up for this delightful comedy about a manicurist and a no gooder who team up to find each their golden goose. Trouble is, they end up falling for each other. Another great comedy from Carole.

Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray

NOTHING SACRED (1937) As doomed Hazel Flagg, who thinks she is dying from radium poisoning, Carole is excellent. Fredric March is on hand as the reporter covering her story who begins to like her. Who knew that the subject of death would make such a great comedy. Well it does.


Fredric March and Carol Lombard

TWENTIETH CENTURY (1934) WOW! Lombard and John Barrymore go at it as a Broadway producer and a Hollywood diva who get back together for a new play. Hilarious hi jinks ensue.

John Barrymore and Carole Lombard


Also notable films include The Princess Comes Across and We're Not Dressing.

2 comments:

Irene Palfy said...

Hey, Monty - just want to tell you, that finally MR. AND MRS SMITH is going to be released on DVD in Germany - so that I finally will be able to watch it!! *yay* ;") (I have an enoormous lack of Carole Lombard films..)

Unknown said...

Hello,
I was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my book, Dreaming I Wake, on your blog. It features the spirits of Carole Lombard and Russ Columbo in a modern-day ghost story. I'd be happy to provide a hard copy for you to read, and we could also provide a signed copy for a giveaway if you like. Here's the Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Wake-Kim-Lombard-Robson/dp/1537043072
Thanks for your consideration.
Regards,
Kim Robson
me@kimkiminy.com