The Awful Truth

10/21/19371h 31m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Danger! Wild woman on the loose! ~

Overview:

Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.

Director:

Leo McCarey

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$600,000.00

Revenue:

$3,000,000.00

Key words:

husband wife relationship
upper class
aunt niece relationship
romcom
aunt
neighbor
misunderstanding
divorce
dog
heiress
screwball comedy
nightclub singer
wealthy man
romantic misunderstanding
suspiciousness
relationship sabotage
mischievous
pet custody
impending divorce
comedy of remarriage
romantic

Cast

Irene Dunne

~ as ~

Lucy Warriner

Cary Grant

~ as ~

Jerry Warriner

Ralph Bellamy

~ as ~

Dan Leeson

Alexander D'Arcy

~ as ~

Armand Duvalle

Cecil Cunningham

~ as ~

Aunt Patsy

Molly Lamont

~ as ~

Barbara Vance

Esther Dale

~ as ~

Mrs. Leeson

Joyce Compton

~ as ~

Dixie Belle Lee

Robert Allen

~ as ~

Frank Randall

Robert Warwick

~ as ~

Mr. Vance

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

John Chard
Written 10 year(s) ago
9
The rooster and the hen!

Lucy & Jerry Warriner strain their marriage by suspecting each other of cheating, so much so, a day in court leaves them with a 90 day prelude to a divorce. Sure enough, though, love never quite runs as expected, and can indeed be a truly complex thing, especially when the other parties involved are human, a cheeky cat, and a rather smart and astute canine!

The Awful Truth is tagged as part of the wonderful genre that encompasses the screwball comedy, and although to a degree that genre placement is true, I do believe that those not particularly fond of the high octane scattergun comedies from the genre, will certainly find this offering far more appealing with its pacing and lighthearted production values.

The Awful Truth began life as a stage play in the early 20s, and was then adapted to film twice previously in 1925 & 1929, but here for the 1937 version, director Leo McCarey (Academy Award winner Best Director) improves the story big time with sharp witty dialogue and an appreciative knack for letting his actors improvise at free will in the name of comedy. Taking the lead roles of the Warriner's is Cary Grant & Irene Dunne, and it's a great pairing as they positively bounce of each other with almost carefree abandon. Adding greatly to the frivolity is Ralph Bellamy as tone death country bumpkin love interest Daniel, Alex D'Arcy as the suave but naive Armand, and Cecil Cunningham as the wry Aunt Patsy. It's a seamless enjoyable romp containing many laugh out loud sequences, and as much as the outcome my never be in doubt, the ending is still a joy to behold. Even if the cat and the clock invariably steal the show!

Wonderful and highly recommended. 9/10