The Screwball Comedy Films: A History and Filmography, 1934-1942 / Edition 1

by Duane Byrge, Robert Milton Miller

Overview

My Man Godfrey, Four's a Crowd, My Favorite Wife, The Devil and Miss Jones--for their inspired blend of slapstick humor with casual elegance and witty repartee, these movies are examples of what became known as "screwball" comedies. This study focuses on the genre, film-by-film, year-by-year, providing the film enthusiast or serious researcher with an informed guide to the screen offerings of the era.

Each of the major contributors is profiled, from directors (such as Capra, Hawks, McCarey or LaCava) to writers (Hecht, Krasna, Wilder, and others) to the inspired lunacy of performers (Grant, Lombard, Dunne, or MacMurray). The large filmography covers more than 50 films, appearing chronologically, and gives title, studio, date, time, director, producer, writers, source, photography, cast, plot description and background notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786411061
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/15/2001
Series:	McFarland Classics S
Edition description:	ALTERNATE
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.31(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Duane Byrge is a film critic for The Hollywood Reporter in Los Angeles. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin. Robert Milton Miller is an associate professor of communication studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He lives in DeKalb.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword    
Introduction    
1 Major Performers    
2 Major Writers    
3 Major Directors    
4 The Films, 1934–1942    

Notes    
Bibliography    
Index    

Editorial Reviews

readable, precise”—Classic Images; “focuses on all aspects of the genre...an informed guide...exhaustive”—Midwest Book Review; “it’s a pleasure to re-acquaint oneself with so many likeable films and performers”—Film Review; “libraries that support film programs will...want a copy”—ARBA; “an amiable, worthwhile survey”—VideoMania.

From the Publisher

it's a pleasure to re-acquaint oneself with so many likeable films and performers

Film Review

focuses on all aspects of the genre...an informed guide...exhaustive

Midwest Book Review

readable, precise

Classic Images

libraries that support film programs will...want a copy

ARBA

Over 50 films of the genre characterized by a blend of slapstick and repartee are listed chronologically, with personnel, plot summary, and a short description of the film's role in the genre. Essays also survey performers, writers, and directors. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews