List #42: In Praise of the American Screwball Comedy, Part 1

5 Tropes of Note


1. Animals running amok

Such as: the leopard in Bringing Up Baby

Bringing Up Baby

2. Falling into/over/under tables and other furniture

Such as: The dinner party scene in The Lady Eve (Rec. #129)

The Lady Eve

3. This thing looks like that thing

Such as: the plaid suitcases in What's Up, Doc? (Rec. #38)

What's Up, Doc?

4. Fast, fast, fast patter

Such as: Walter (Cary Grant) and Hildy (Rosalind Russell) in His Girl Friday (QfFC #34)

His Girl Friday

5. Fake relationship

Such as: Gladys (Jean Harlow) and Bill (William Powell) in Libeled Lady (Rec. #229)

Libeled Lady

Continue with Part 2 here and with Part 3 here.