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What is a Screwball Comedy?

A comedy that is characterized by fast-paced, witty dialogue, farcical situations, and romantic storylines that often involve a battle of the sexes. They emerged in the 1930s and became popular in the 1940s.

How is it different than a straight up romantic comedy?

Screwball is a genre that focuses less the romantic courtship between two people, and more on the battle of the sexes. It always has a strong female protagonist, and usually a male protagonist trying to keep up with her. It puts the emphasis on the spoofing of love, rather than the “will they get together” plot. Where did the term “screwball” come from? It gets its name from the baseball pitch “the screwball”.

Famous screwball comedy films?

It Happened One Night (1934) Directed by Frank Capra. Starred Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert

Bringing Up Baby (1938) Directed by Howard Hawks. Starred Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant

The Philadelphia Story (1940). Directed by George Cukor. Also Starred Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant. With James Stewart added to the mix.

The brand declined in popularity through the years, but it still shows up in its style. The Coen Brothers have made a few with “Intolerable Cruelty”, “The Hudsucker Proxy”, and “Hail Caeser” Bridesmaids (2011), written and starring Kristen Wiig is considered a screwball comedy.

Is any one a fan of Amy Sherman-Palladino TV shows?:

Gilmore Girls. The Marvelous Mr. Maisel. Étoile. Those television shows are more definitely classic Screwball Comedies. From the characters. plot points. fast paced dialogue. Even the way the shows are directed – are classic screwball!

Enjoy the past, present, and future of the Screwball Comedy!