Screwball Comedy's Battle of the Sexes: Wes Gehring on Love, Class & Chaos

Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, & Movements

Join distinguished professor, film expert, and author Wes Gehring along with host Andy Nelson for a special extended episode exploring the delightful world of screwball comedy. In this unique presentation, listeners get access to the complete conversation typically split between public and member segments, covering ten essential films from this beloved subgenre that emerged during Hollywood's Golden Age.

The Essential Elements of Screwball Comedy

The discussion explores what defines screwball comedy, from rapid-fire dialogue and class conflicts to eccentric heiresses and befuddled leading men. Gehring explains how the Hays Code shaped the genre's signature wit and innuendo, while Depression-era audiences' desire for escapism led to lavish settings and wealthy characters.

Ten Classic and Modern Screwball Comedies

Andy and Wes analyze ten films spanning several decades: It Happened One Night (1934), My Man Godfrey (1936), Bringing Up Baby (1938), My Favorite Wife (1940), The Lady Eve (1941), I Married a Witch (1942), What's Up, Doc? (1972), Arthur (1981), All of Me (1984), and A Fish Called Wanda (1988). They explore how directors like Howard Hawks, Preston Sturges, and Peter Bogdanovich each brought their unique vision to the genre while maintaining its core elements.

The Legacy Lives On

Though screwball comedy peaked in the 1930s and early 1940s, its influence extends far beyond that era. The episode concludes by examining how modern filmmakers continue to draw from the genre's playbook, while acknowledging both its progressive elements and dated aspects.

Want to hear complete conversations like this every month? Join Cinema Scope at trustory.fm/join for just $5/month or $55/year. Members get early, ad-free access to all podcasts in The Next Reel family, plus exclusive bonus content and extended episodes.

Film Sundries

• Find Wes Gehring on his website
• Recommended and Discussed Movies
  • It Happened One Night on Apple and JustWatch
  • My Man Godfrey on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
  • Bringing Up Baby on Apple and JustWatch
  • My Favorite Wife on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
  • The Lady Eve on Apple and JustWatch
  • I Married a Witch on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
  • What’s Up, Doc? on Apple and JustWatch
  • Arthur on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
  • All of Me on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
  • A Fish Called Wanda on Apple, Amazon, and JustWatch
• Our Letterboxd List

• (00:00) - Welcome to Cinema Scope • Screwball Comedy
• (02:06) - Meet Wes Gehring
• (05:03) - What It Is & Why It’s Important
• (10:41) - Origins
• (17:38) - Hays Code
• (24:33) - Screwball vs. RomCom
• (31:12) - Its Evolution
• (35:56) - Alive and Well
• (47:51) - Other Key Components
• (55:38) - It Happened One Night
• (01:02:58) - My Man Godfrey
• (01:14:30) - Bringing Up Baby
• (01:20:38) - My Favorite Wife
• (01:26:43) - The Lady Eve
• (01:33:36) - I Married a Witch
• (01:44:13) - What’s Up, Doc?
• (01:54:35) - Arthur
• (02:05:05) - All of Me
• (02:12:47) - A Fish Called Wanda
• (02:23:13) - Notable Directors and Actors
• (02:27:37) - Its Influences
• (02:32:31) - Issues and Problematic Areas
• (02:37:15) - Wrap Up

Learn how to support our show and The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts by becoming a member. It's just $5 monthly or $55 annually. Learn more here.

Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts: