Screwball! Hollywood's Madcap Romantic Comedies
During the 1930s and early '40s, Hollywood "screwball comedies" had their heyday. Characterized by the substitution of "comedic" animosity or violence for affection and sexuality in male-female interactions (sexuality was ruthlessly suppressed by the Production Code), well-known films of this style include Bringing Up Baby , It Happened One Night and Topper , with stars such as Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, William Powell and Myrna Loy. This oversize volume, illustrated with 240 black-and-white movie stills and publicity shots, examines the weird world of screwball comedy--a world where, as freelance film journalist Sikov writes, "hatred is no reason to give up on a relationship." Devotees of Unfaithfully Yours or My Man Godfrey will enjoy the author's breezily perceptive opinions and succinct plot encapsulations. A screwball filmography is included.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.