Review of The Awful Truth (1937) by Dan B — 11 Sep 2008

Archetypal screwball comedy - Cary Grant? Check. Ralph Bellamy as the hopeless suitor? Check. Thin Man fans will also welcome the opportunity to see another fine turn by that masterful canine actor, Asta.

According to imdb, much of the film was improvised and this seems to be born out by numerous scenes in which the actors themselves look like they're on the verge of cracking up, giving the whole picture a charming, devil may care attitude.

In some other respects, the years have perhaps not been as kind to The Awful Truth as to others of the era (the conclusion drags a little and the set up is slight, to say the least), but there is much to recommend it, particularly the performance of Irene Dunne.

Less well remembered than some of her contemporaries, she's an absolute delight and I am keen to seek out more of her movies.