BEST SCREWBALL COMEDIES 1931-1945

A uniquely American movie genre emerged during the dark days of the Great Depression. The screwball comedy, depressed America’s most popular escapist fantasy, drew its name from baseball. New York Giants southpaw, Carl Hubbell, threw a “screwball” pitch that changed direction, surprised batters, delighted fans and won games. Screwball comedies are romantic comedies with a twist. The “battle of the sexes” is at the core of these hilarious movies. A misunderstanding, class differences or an awkward encounter place the protagonists at odds. The audience usually likes both of them and wants to see them get together but their mutual antagonism seems insurmountable. The principals are surrounded by zany characters who often unwittingly contribute to the misunderstanding that keep the principals apart. The plot twist--the “screwball” change of direction--that eventually allows the couple to get together and “live happily ever after” is what makes a romantic comedy a screwball comedy. The golden age of screwball comedies was 1931 to 1945. The masters of the genre were directors Frank Capra, Preston Sturges and Howard Hawks, screen writers Robert Riskin, Billy Wilder and Sturges, and actors Cary Grant, Wiliam Powell, Carole Lombard and Jean Harlow. The following is a list of my favorite screwball comedies ranked from best to twenty-fifth: