MovieChat Forums > The Awful Truth (1937) Discussion > The funniest scenes in film . . . are in...

The funniest scenes in film . . . are in this movie

posted 14 years ago by GoUSN
10 replies | jump to latest

I was a latecomer to this movie. But it contains scenes that I in my mind's eye can conjure up again and again and get another ROFL out of it.

Two in particular.

The first is the nightclub scene where Irene Dunne, embarrassed to be seen with the boring Ralph Bellamy, runs into Cary Grant, embarrassed to be seen with the tawdry lounge singer. Their combined reactions during the dance number - particularly when the air effect blows the chorine's dress above her waist - are excruciatingly funny.

The second is when Irene surprises Grant, his fiancee, and the fiancee's family at their Park Avenue home. Her down-market behaviors are howlingly funny - particularly when she goes to the other side of the room and asks Cary to "watch my purse."

Oh my!

"But I'm a Democrat. What has happened to my Party?"

[–] simba-18 13 years ago

"Keep an eye on that for me, will ya?"

OH, that was hysterical!!

[–] rivkahchaya-455-928681 12 years ago

"I don't like sherry...."

[–] rrb 11 years ago

I'd add the scene where Grant falls backward in his chair, then tries to get up with the help of a table, nearly disassembling it in the process. A trained acrobat, Grant was as brilliant a physical comedian as any silent film star.

[–] Blakefield 11 years ago

The singing teachers smiling face when Jerry first sees him hiding in Lucy's apartment.

Jerry explaining to Dan and Mrs Leeson how he used up the best years of Lucy's life.

Aunt Patsy's tiny little dance when she wanted Lucy to go on the town with her

[–] crlnrgbrght5 11 years ago

The Op's description of those two scenes is how I saw it too. But, to add how embarrassed They all looked when the Woman's dress kept flying up whenever She'd sing, "Our dreams are gone with the Wind". Irene Dunne then adds after it's over, "I guess it's easier for Her to change Her Name, than the whole Family". The scene where She was posing as CG's Sister, and He's introducing Her to the Parents of the Girl He's going to Marry, ID says to the Father, "I wouldn't know You from what He says about You, (I'm paraphrasing). Irene Dunne is the Queen of screwball Comedies, the only thing Cary Grant can do is play the straight Man.

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

This is my second viewing and the funniest scenes are with the dog.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] little_dog 10 years ago

And with the cat. Both furry friends did their bit.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

I laughed all throughout the movie. It's hilarious but the part that really got me is when she's pretending to be his sister. At one point she says, 'don't anybody leave this room, I've lost my purse.' My goodness, that was priceless.

Everyone's impression says it all. Here she is, someone clearly way below their status and wealth. They're looking down on her and now on him by association then suddenly she's accusing these snobby wealthy people of stealing her purse. As if she had anything they'd want. That's bad enough but she's going to keep them from leaving presumably so she can search them. Oh my goodness. What a nut!

[–] sonomagirl2120 9 years ago

1. Grant putting on his hat and trying to figure out why it suddenly is so big while Dunne, with her wonderful inflections, is advising him to wear it over his ears or put it on backward, lol
2. Dunne trying to extricate her scarf from under the dowager only to find out it was under her, then it ends up back under the dowager, lol

[–] alxnrth 9 years ago

I never tire of seeing Dunn & Bellamy's dancing in the night club. priceless!