The Awful Truth (1937), dir. Leo McCarey
Bristol Megascreen at Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road,Bristol UK, BS1 5TT
Sunday 1 December, 13:00 (GMT)
Rating: U
Running Time: 1hr, 31min, plus intro
*Please note that if you are attending the Raising Cary Grant theatre walk at 12.00 you will not be back in time for this film.
Bristol’s legendary Cary Grant teams up with screwball comedy’s most underrated actress, Irene Dunne, in the film that cemented his status as a romantic lead. Coined the “slapstick prince charming” by critic Pauline Kael for his unique blend of elegance and physical comedy, Grant shines in this definitive, Oscar-winning comedy of the 1930s. With an introduction by Professor Mark Glancy.
Prepare to be captivated by the hilarious antics of Lucy and Jerry Warriner, a divorced couple entangled in a web of mistaken identities and comedic mishaps. In their quest to sabotage each other’s new romantic engagements, they create a whirlwind of comedic chaos. With razor-sharp dialogue and impeccable timing, Grant and Dunne deliver performances that have stood the test of time.
The iconic duo of Grant and Dunne later reunited for another comedy of remarriage, My Favorite Wife, which screens immediately after, so why not make it a double bill! Directed by the brilliant Leo McCarey, this film is a testament to their impeccable chemistry and comedic timing. McCarey, a master of slapstick comedy with classics like Sherlock Junior and Duck Soup under his belt, blends physical comedy with heartfelt moments that make this film a standout in the genre.
Capitalising on Grant’s own vaudeville and acrobatic training, together with McCarey’s slapstick credentials, the film revels in laugh-out-loud moments which reveal Grant’s physical comedy and complete command of his body, which we’ll explore in our panel on Cary in Motion.
The plot revolves around the hilarious machinations of about-to-be-divorced couple, Lucy (Dunne) and Jerry Warriner (Grant), as they battle for custody of their beloved fox terrier, Mr. Smith (Asta, who also stars in Bringing Up Baby and features in our panel discussion on Animal Magic!).
A masterpiece of screwball cinema, this film is a delightful blend of witty banter, physical comedy, and heartwarming romance.
Don’t miss this opportunity to relive the golden age of Hollywood and experience the enduring appeal of this timeless classic. Join us for a night of laughter, romance, and cinematic brilliance!
Watch: The Awful Truth About Cary Grant
Join the Cary Grant Festival Director Professor Charlotte Crofts (UWE Bristol) and Professor Mark Glancy (Queen Mary University, London), the author of Becoming Cary Grant: The Making of a Hollywood Legend as they discuss the significance of The Awful Truth in Cary Grant’s career. Learn about director Leo McCarey’s influence on Grant’s performance, the evolution of his comedic style, and the film’s critical acclaim.
Tickets: £8.50 / £5 Concessions, plus 10% booking fee
*Please note that if you are attending the Raising Cary Grant theatre walk at 12.00 you will not be back in time for this film.
Mark Glancy is Professor in Film History at Queen Mary University of London. His book, Cary Grant: The Making of a Hollywood Legend, is published by Oxford University (USA, 2020; UK 2021). He was editorial consultant on Becoming Cary Grant (Yuzu Productions, 2017), and he has written articles about Grant’s career for The Many Cinemas of Michael Curtiz (Palmer & Pomerance, eds) and London on Film (Hirsch & O’Rourke, eds). His other publications include Hollywood & the Americanization of Britain, From the 1920s to the Present (Tauris, 2014), The 39 Steps: A British Film Guide (Tauris, 2003), When Hollywood Loved Britain: The Hollywood ‘British’ Film, 1939-45 (Manchester University Press, 1999), and, as co-editor with James Chapman and Sue Harper, The New Film History: Sources, Methods, Approaches (Palgrave, 2007).
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| MY FAVORITE WIFE SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER, 15:00 (GMT) |
PANEL: CARY IN MOTION CELEBRATING CARY GRANT’S PHYSICAL PROWESS |
PANEL: ANIMAL MAGIC! PANEL DISCUSSION WITH MATTHEW SWEET, MICHAEL LAWRENCE AND THEO JONES |
Celebrating Bristol’s recent designation as a UNESCO City of Film, in recognition of the city’s vibrant screen heritage, of which Cary Grant is one of our brightest stars.