Awful Truth, The (1937, Screwball Comedy)

Starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, and Ralph Bellmany. Director: Leo McCarey.

This movie was awfully boring! Archibald Leach/Cary Grant was the star, so that is my excuse. The film was slapstick comedy through and through. It was nominated for five Oscars. Leo McCarey won the statuette for Best Director -- I think, this award was merely given to recognize this film's popularity. After all, it starred two accomplished actors, Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Grant's experience in Bob Pender's knockabout troupe of comedians provided him with comical flair for such an unusual comedy. The leading lady was the exceptional part of this production. Irene Dunne was nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Lucy Warrimer, and deserved the Oscar, but oh well.

Having the nickname "First Lady of Hollywood", Irene Dunne was born to a musical mother, so she was blessed with an exceptional voice. She was trained from an early age in various musical conservatories. She was rejected by the Metropolitan Opera, but got a start playing Magnolia Hawkes in the famous musical, Showboat. She was nominated for several Oscars, but never won. It was thought that after she retired, she would receive an honorary Oscar, but the Academy snubbed her. Maybe, because she stayed married to one man throughout his life! :-) Unheard of! Knowing this bit of information makes the plot seem all the more real as you see this normal married couple having little trivial marital arguments like every other normal couple!

The supporting cast is led by the hilarious Ralph Bellmany, playing Lucy's would-be lover. The entire cast works well together. They all play off each other. An innocent, corny film that had humorous potential, but just dragged on and on. I liked the cuckoo birds at the end, but this could have been because this lousy film was finished! Boring movie! :-)