The Screwball Story

On the season two finale, I discuss The Thin Man, William Powell, and Myrna Loy with Rob Kozlowski, author of Becoming Nick and Nora: The Thin Man and the Films of William Powell and Myrna Loy (New York: Applause Books, 2023).

On this episode I discuss the sleuth comedy, There's Always a Woman (Alexander Hall, 1938) co-starring Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell.Resources:James Bawden and Ron Miller, Conversations With Classic Film Stars: Interviews from Hollywood's Golden Age (Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2016).Bernard F. Dick, The Merchant Prince of Poverty Row: Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures (Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2009).Kathrine Glitre, Hollywood Romantic Comedy: States of the Union, 1934-1965 (Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 2006).Matthew Kennedy, Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes (Jackson, MS: University of Mississippi, 2014).

On this episode I discuss Fred MacMurray's life and career with film historian, Charles Tranberg, author of Fred MacMurray: A Biography (Albany, GA: BearManor Media, 2007).Charles's book is available for purchase from all major book retailers and also directly from BearManor Media.

On this episode I discuss the romantic comedy, The Egg and I (Erskine, 1947), based on the book of the same name by Betty MacDonald.Resources:Christopher Beach, Class, Language, and American Film Comedy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002).Paula Becker, Looking For Betty MacDonald (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2019).Boze Hadleigh, Hollywood Lesbians: From Garbo to Foster (Riverdale, NY: Riverdale Avenue Books, 2016).Jennifer Reese, "The Plucky Author Behind The Classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books.” The Washington Post. October 17, 2016. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/behind-her-classic-mrs-piggle-wiggle-books-the-dark-life-of-betty-macdonald/2016/10/14/23005c46-9071-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.htmlCharles Tranberg, Fred MacMurray: A Biography (Albany, GA: BearManor Media, 2007).

On this episode I'm joined by Cait Liberati to discuss the Barbara Stanwyck-Henry Fonda comedy, The Mad Miss Manton (1938).You can follow Cait on Twitter @caitmarielle or on Bluesky @caitl.bsky.social For more on the resources mentioned in this episode, please check out: Thomas Renzi, Screwball Comedy and Film Noir: Unexpected Connections (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2012).

On this episode I discuss the 1970s screwball classic, What's Up, Doc?Resources:Roger Ebert, "What's Up, Doc? Review," RogerEbert.com, originally published January 1, 1972. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/whats-up-doc-1972Brian Kellow, Can I Go Now? The Life of Sue Mengers, Hollywood's First Superagent (New York: Penguin Books, 2015).Gregg Kilday, “Peter Bogdanovich on Barbra Streisand: ‘Funny, Cute and Kind of a Wiseass’ The Hollywood Reporter, April 19, 2023. Available at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/peter-bogdanovich-barbra-streisand-funny-434860/Karina Longworth, "Polly Platt: The Invisible Woman." You Must Remember This (2020). Available at: http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/2020/7/pollyplattarchive28

On this episode I discuss my favorite Carole Lombard screwball comedy, Nothing Sacred (1937).Resources:

On this episode, I am joined by film programmer Chris Cassingham to discuss screwball women in Howard Hawks films. You can find Chris on Twitter @CCassingham. Resources:Joseph McBride, Hawks on Hawks (Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1982).