I can’ tell you how good it feels to start watching classic Hollywood films again. They were the films I was introduced to as a child, and when I re-discovered cinema in my early teens the first thing I latched onto. In the past week I’ve returned to familiar grounds, and I think I will be sticking in my little comfort zone for at least a few more weeks. While the Palm Beach Story is not quite in the same league as Sullivan’s Travels or Unfaithfully Yours, it is a zany and delightful comedy that shows of Sturges’ skill as a screenwriter. He effectively plays with two films in one, and does a very good job at it. The performers are hilarious, especially Mary Astor who I never liked until now. The dialogue is almost too quick, and I’m surprised some of the stuff that got past the censors (either they didn’t catch it, or it went over their heads). I unfortunately am too giddy and busy to go into greater detail.
For fun, what are some of your favourite comedies from the 1930s and 40s? What do you think of Preston Sturges?
