Screwball Comedy: 1931-1956 Definitive List of Early Films
Regarding the subject of debate which films are to be considered as "Screwball Comedy", the problem we have is much the same as with Film Noir, where the results are greatly depending on criteria used to define each film.
-It is worth pointing out in this context, that both Screwball Comedy and Film Noir share striking similarities, even up to a point they are actually overlapping each other. A good example of this is "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944) - which could easily be thought as a Screwball Comedy with Film Noir thematic and style.
Screwball Comedy by its most rigid terms is, to put it plainly, an exaggerated style of comedy, which makes it relatively easy to apply to any genre, such as Western.
And finally, here is a list of my own rather loose interpretation of the guide lines for the standard themes and plot devices commonly used in Screwball Comedy. However, in order for any comedy to "qualify" as a screwball comedy, at least five of the conditions mentioned below must be filled.
-It is worth pointing out in this context, that both Screwball Comedy and Film Noir share striking similarities, even up to a point they are actually overlapping each other. A good example of this is "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944) - which could easily be thought as a Screwball Comedy with Film Noir thematic and style.
Screwball Comedy by its most rigid terms is, to put it plainly, an exaggerated style of comedy, which makes it relatively easy to apply to any genre, such as Western.
And finally, here is a list of my own rather loose interpretation of the guide lines for the standard themes and plot devices commonly used in Screwball Comedy. However, in order for any comedy to "qualify" as a screwball comedy, at least five of the conditions mentioned below must be filled.
- General set-up is within upper class or upper middle-class.
- The film is utilizing any variation of the "opposites attract" or "Battle of Sexes" -theme, which often means verbal jousting between people from completely different social classes and/or backgrounds, or when seemingly totally incompatible couple first fight with words and actions of malice, then usually find attraction towards each other somewhere along the line. Often there's some kind of a hurdle or a problem seemingly preventing happy ending.
- Witty, intelligent, and often hilarious, well polished dialogs
- Gender-roles reversed/challenged
- Authority or age status reversed/challenged (such as a child is presumed, or takes a role as an adult or an adult is presumed as a child or is placed in similar situation)
- Drag (straight) skits
- Divorce/Remarrying scenario
- Multiple love interests competing (courting)
- Comic situations created or arise from "Force majeure" -lies/cheats
- Elements of screwy slapstick/pantomime/gag routines in situations, where in regular comedy they would be deemed inappropriate or unrealistic. This also includes plot devices which clearly would break established conventions in so called "normal" comedy.
- Mistaken/false identity providing comic content, followed by comedy drawn from the rising issues as a result.
- The events in the film occur around Christmas time.
- Alcohol, drugs or medicine congested has a significant role with comedy/farcical issues following as a result, and usually would have a profound effect regarding the main plot or the story-line.
- Plus in addition, as a loose rule of thumb: If a romantic comedy involves New York or Connecticut - or New England in General as a location, plus there are any three or more of the themes mentioned above included.
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