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 Comedies
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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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Cleaners
Directed by Glenn Barit • 2019 • Philippines
Starring Ianna Taguinod, Leomar Baloran, Julian NaragAt a Catholic high school in the Philippine city of Tuguegarao, a rambunctious batch of students rebel against all expectations to be clean: a germaphobe is tested by a bout of uncontrollable diarr...
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The Plot Against Harry
Directed by Michael Roemer • 1969 • United States
Starring Martin Priest, Ben Lang, Maxine WoodsA treasure of American independent filmmaking that was neglected for decades until its triumphant rediscovery, writer-director-producer Michael Roemer’s feature follow-up to his landmark NOTHING BUT ...
