Directed by John Ford • 1935 • United States
Starring Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur
Edward G. Robinson spoofs his own tough-guy image in this lively gangster farce, one of director John Ford’s rare forays into straight comedy. In a delightful double role, Robinson plays mild-mannered office clerk Arthur Jones, who just happens to look exactly like public enemy number one, the ruthless mobster Killer Mannion, an unfortunate coincidence that leads to serious trouble for both Arthur and his plucky office crush (Jean Arthur). The breakneck pacing and clever script (cowritten by Frank Capra’s regular collaborator Robert Riskin) yields one of the fastest and funniest screwballs of the 1930s.
Up Next in Columbia Screwball
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Theodora Goes Wild
Directed by Richard Boleslawski • 1936 • United States
Starring Irene Dunne, Melvyn Douglas, Thomas MitchellIrene Dunne established herself as one of screwball’s brightest comedic talents with this exuberant tale of a small-town girl living a double life as the secret author of a scandalous bes...
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Phffft
Directed by Mark Robson • 1954 • United States
Starring Judy Holliday, Jack Lemmon, Jack CarsonAfter several years of domestic squabbles, the marriage of Nina (Judy Holliday) and Robert Tracey (Jack Lemmon) goes “phffft!” Upon receiving their divorce papers, Nina and Robert are certain that the...
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You Can’t Take It With You
Directed by Frank Capra • 1938 • United States
Starring Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James StewartFrank Capra’s irresistible adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize–winning stage hit by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart is perhaps the most bighearted and optimistic comedy from a filmmaker who speciali...
