The hunger and struggles of the great depression brought in a new need for both uplift and catharsis. Americans flocked to the movies looking to laugh off their everyday troubles; however, the simplistic cookie-cutter romance no longer fit in with the trying times. Viewers looked for representation of their serious struggles, and thus screwball comedies introduced comical antiheroes and gender reversals. Screwball comedies of the 1930s often revolve around common occurrences or problems that spiral far from control. Even though everything in these movies seems to go wrong, by the end the heroes always find a way to overcome their troubles, and viewers leave more hopeful for their own difficult situations.
Screwball comedies also turned the romantic comedy onto its head. The humor makes fun of lovers themselves rather than merely accenting their story. These screwball comedies point out the ridiculous nature of love (especially in more socially repressed times). Coincidentally, the emergence of this genre also coincides with the emergence of talking pictures. Clever dialogue is another trademark of screwball comedies, and one of the biggest reasons audiences today still go back to watch them; the fast-paced dialogue of Howard Hawks or the rapid-fire line readings of Katherine Hepburn remain iconic and funny today. If you need an emotional uplift or want to watch one of the wittiest battles of the sexes, here are the best screwball comedies to watch tonight.
8 Christmas in Connecticut
Christmas in Connecticut stands as a prime example of the gender reversals common in 1930s romantic comedies. The hardworking Elizabeth Lane makes a very successful living for herself by working as a newspaper columnist. She assumes the identity of a 'perfect' housewife on a ranch while actually living in alone in a New York apartment and not knowing the first thing about cooking or children.
When a kind-hearted war veteran asks to visit her ranch at Christmas, she has to pretend to be who she claims she is, and he proves to be a better cook, housekeeper, and babysitter than she is. Although the two meet under false pretenses, and Elizabeth is engaged to another man, Elizabeth and the war hero slowly get to know each other's true selves and fall in love. The great character actor S. Z. Sakall's comedic addition is like the cherry on top of the film's situational humor.
7 Arsenic and Old Lace
Few people are as famous for their screwball comedy as Cary Grant and Frank Capra. Viewers of this film get to see one of the genre's greatest actors and one of the greatest directors combine their genius into a truly hilarious film, and one of the very first dark comedies to grace the screen. Grant's wise-guy attitude paired with unfailing honesty make him a stellar leading man in any film. Arsenic and Old Lace brings out Grant's cartoonish facial expressions and comedic timing possibly better than any other.
In this film, Mortimer Brewster falls in love with and marries Elaine Harper. When Brewster introduces his new wife to his family, Brewster finds a dead body hidden in the house. As this odd cast of characters attempts to solve the murder, audiences are taken on a hilarious ride.
6 Midnight
Hollywood princess Claudette Colbert takes a unique approach to Cinderella's story in the fairy tale adaptation Midnight. Rather than the docile and sweet character that is common in Cinderella telling's, Colbert brings boldness and skepticism to the role. The life of a chorus girl makes Eve Peabody (Colbert) hardened and carefully discerning.
When Eve becomes stranded in Paris, a wealthy man asks her for help ending his wife's affair. Upon accepting the challenge Eve becomes tangled up in a messy love triangle. The ridiculous circumstances and downward spiral of drama make Midnight a film to remember.
5 Bringing up Baby
Two of the biggest champions in the battles of the sexes, Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, face off in the slapstick-heavy Bringing up Baby. Susan Vance instantly falls in love with Dr. David-Huxley; unfortunately, David is engaged to another woman. As they each try to prove themselves, they wind up embarrassing one another and confusing their friends and family. For animal lovers, the film's baby leopard adds another layer of humor and enjoyment.
4 Some Like it Hot
Before White Chicks became one of the most well known cross-dressing comedies, Some Like it Hot captivated audiences with a similar premise. In this classic comedy from the 50s, two brothers disguise themselves as women and go into hiding after witnessing a high-profile crime. When one of the brothers falls for a performer (Marilyn Monroe), the two become caught between winning the girl and keeping up their disguise. Some Like it Hot remains one of Monroe's most notable films, for her many musical performances and the suggestive scenes in the women's commons, along with a genuinely radical refusal to play a socially acceptable 'proper' woman.
3 His Girl Friday
Grant's films could make up this whole list, but His Girl Friday stands apart for the electric chemistry between Grant and Rosalind Russell and some of the fastest speaking on film. When Hiddy Johnson (Russel) becomes engaged, her ex-husband, Walter Burns (Grant), tries to lure her back to the reporter's lifestyle. Walter spares no expense or effort in trying to win his ex-wife back. He even stoops to arresting Hiddy's fiancé. His Girl Friday is remembered for its unparalleled, revolutionary use of dialogue, heart-warming romance, and intricate plot.
2 My Man Godfrey
Irene Bullock hires Godfrey as her family's butler in order to win a scavenger hunt. As Irene gets to know him better, she finds herself falling for the butler. My Man Godfrey commentates not only on gender roles, but also on class roles. The Bullock family fulfills all the stereotypes for wealthy and riotous living, and the butler from humble beginnings tries to teach them another way of life.
The 1936 film resonated intimately with audiences, who related to the unemployed, homeless Godfrey, relished laughing at the spoiled and ignorant rich elitists, and were inspired by the hopeful message of change and social mobility.
1 It Happened One Night
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Three of Hollywood's biggest icons made a name for themselves in It Happened One Night. The film even won all five of the Academy Awards it was nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Adaptation, joining only two other films to win the big five Oscars. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert went on to win two more Oscars during their careers, and Frank Capra won four more.
Gable's typically devilish character stars in this film as an up-and-coming reporter who falls in love with a wealthy runaway (played by Claudette Colbert). The couple's initial resentment leads to a slew of comical banter and eventually a star-crossed romance. The timeless love story at the movie's heart has been copied so many times that it may appear cheesy to modern audiences. It Happened One Night helped create the screwball genre and still lends inspiration to romantic comedies today.