A lot of popular character actors inhabited these movies too. Among them were Edward Everett Horton, the above mentioned Walter Connolly, Franklin Pangborn, the ever rotund Eugene Pallette, Alan Mowbray, and Edward Arnold.
Although there were a few more screwball films made in the 1940's, the style had pretty much run its course by the early 1940's. With the onset of World War II, the Depression finally ended and with it the feeling for frivolity. War pictures became popular as part of the fighting mentality and people turned their attention to more serious matters. The day of the screwball comedy was basically over but not forgotten by the Depression audiences of the 1930's.
2 comments:
Hi Jim!
I recently purchased the entire set of "Thin Man" for my Mother's Day present from my family to me! Hey, don't knock it! At least this way I get what I want! I get the package in the mail, open it, and tell my family what wonderful taste they have! The original "Thin Man" that started the series is probably the best. I loved how William Powell and Myrna Loy played off each other. Asta is adorable as always! "After the Thin Man" features James Stewart in one of his first starring roles. "Another Thin Man" features the new baby, Nick Jr.. "Shemp Howard" (of Three Stooges fame shows up in this one. Nat Pendleton who started out playing the strong man returns in this one to play a police detective (he is in the original). When "Shadow of the Thin Man" moves along there are so many characters (including Donna Reed) who may have "dun it" it is kind of hard to follow. Our favorite Italian character actor, Tito Vuolo shows up playing a waiter which is fun. "Song of the Thin Man" is fun and features Dean Stockwell as Nick, Jr. this time around. A young Keenan Wynn shows up. Don Taylor who plays the husband in the original "Father of the Bride" movies (opposite Elizabeth Taylor/maybe she should have married him in real life). William Powell is starting to show his age in this one. The set concludes with biographies, photos, and interviews from film historians (no children or relatives could be found). Neither of these actors led very happy private lives and yet in these "screwball comedies" they made us laugh!
Your are Excellent. And so is your site! Keep up the good work. Bookmarked.
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