"The Awful Truth" is Awfully Funny
I've started flipping over to the Turner Classic Movies channel at lunch – meals are more enjoyable without the trauma and drama of CNN or Fox News – although I rarely finish watching whatever happens to be showing. Today was an exception, though, as I tuned in about halfway through The Awful Truth, a 1937 movie starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne (and featuring Asta, the precocious terrier from The Thin Man series; he plays Mr. Smith in this movie).
These movies provide wonderful insights into the society and culture of past eras, but this one in particular also provides a vivid reminder of how far the state of movie comedy has fallen. Both Grant and Dunne turn in laugh-out-loud performances without offending the sensibilities or resorting to slapstick. OK, I take that back – but nobody did (or does) slapstick like Cary Grant! And while Dunne is not a beauty in the classic sense, the closing scene is more sensual than just about anything appearing in today's theaters.
The Awful Truth earned director Leo McCarey an Oscar, and it was nominated for Best Picture. If light-hearted and sophisticated comedies are your cup of tea, put this one on your NetFlix queue, or look for a re-run on TCM (February 11 and March 21).
I'm sure it's better than the last movie that won an oscar with "Truth" in the title...
Posted by: Bleu at January 19, 2008 01:11 PMFunnier than "Inconvenient Truth," but not better ..... and it would be hard for Al Gore - or anyone else, for that matter - to beat Cary Grant's charm.
Posted by: Jeff at January 19, 2008 01:28 PMJeff, Father Goose has long been a part of our DVD collection. I've always been a fan of Grant, but Irene Dunne was a pleasant surprise for me.
Posted by: Eric at January 19, 2008 02:32 PMA big fan of TCM and the older flicks, I appreciate your thoughts about seeing what life was like in the 30's and 40's.
Tonight's offerings featured Greer Garson. While living in Dallas, one of my friend's moms was a close friend of Ms. Garson and her husband Buddy Fogelson. I had the opportunity to meet her and in her 80's she was still a gorgeous woman and as nice as they come.
Posted by: Wallace at January 20, 2008 12:08 AMI love the old movies!! I've brought a lot of Gene Kelly ones!
Posted by: Rach at January 20, 2008 04:38 AMWallace, you're absolutely right about Ms. Garson. She and her husband had a second home in northern New Mexico, and many of us in the 'Land of Enchantment' had a chance to meet her there. She was exactly what you describe ..... she was also a VERY GENEROUS patron of the arts and education in Santa Fe.
Posted by: Jeff at January 20, 2008 01:57 PMCary Grant - hubba hubba.
Hard to pick a favorite, I love "Charades", but for laughter, you can't beat "Arsenic and Old Lace".
Posted by: Cowtown Pattie at January 20, 2008 09:17 PMAbout the publisher
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There has been an awful lot (an awfully funny lot?) of Cary Grant on TCM the last few days, and I've enjoyed every minute I've been able to catch. He has long been an especially favorite filmstar of mine, and always will be.
I would also recommend adding "Bachelor and the Booby Soxer," "His Girl Friday," Father Goose" and many, many more to that Netflix queue ..... and that's just his comedies!
Posted by: Jeff at January 19, 2008 12:36 PM