Tuesday, Jan 9, 7:30 pm - The Awful Truth
Tuesday, Jan 16, 7:30 pm - Bringing Up Baby
Tuesday, Jan 23, 7:30 pm - His Girl Friday
Tuesday, Jan 30, 7:30 pm - The Philadelphia Story
For four Tuesdays in January, join us at the Lincoln Theatre to watch a classic Screwball Comedy starring Cary Grant -- the Movies' Most Madcap Man!
What's a Screwball Comedy? It's a style of romantic comedy popular in the late 1930s through the early 1940s. Its hallmarks included fast-paced snappy patter, farcical plots careening into chaos, and a one-upmanship battle of the sexes -- a battle of which Cary Grant frequently found himself, hilariously, on the losing end!
No leading man embodied the energy and spirit of the scewball genre more than Cary Grant, and this series showcases his tremendous comedic chops -- as well as those of his co-stars, including Katharine Hepburn, Irene Dunne, James Stewart, Rosalind Russell, and Ralph Bellamy.
January 9: The Awful Truth
In The Awful Truth, Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy (Irene Dunne) are a married couple who doubt each other's fidelity: Jerry suspects Lucy and her music teacher (Alexander D'Arcy) of spending an evening together, while Lucy is convinced Jerry lied about a business trip.
When the jealous pair file for divorce, they both rush into new relationships -- but quickly realizing their love never died, they both scramble to spoil each other's chances for newfound romance.
Directed by Leo McCarey
Starring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy, Alex D'Arcy, Molly Lamont
United States | English | 1937 | Screwball Comedy | 90 minutes | GP
January 16: Bringing Up Baby
Bringing Up Baby is perhaps the platonic ideal of the screwball comedy, with a constantly-escalating havoc. Harried paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) has to make a good impression on Mrs. Random (May Robson), a matron considering a million-dollar donation to Huxley's museum.
On the day before his wedding, Huxley meets Mrs. Random's high-spirited young niece, Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), a madcap adventuress who immediately falls for the straitlaced scientist. When her pet leopard, Baby, steals Huxley's prized dinosaur bone, the zany chase is on -- and it never lets up!
Directed by Howard Hawks
Starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Charles Ruggles, May Robson
United States | English | 1938 | Screwball Comedy | 102 minutes | GP
January 23: His Girl Friday
With His Girl Friday, director Howard Hawks was determined to smash the record for fastest dialogue on film and it shows -- Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell maintain the breakneck speed throughout with breathtaking results.
When hard-charging New York newspaper editor Walter Burns (Grant) discovers that his ex-wife, ace reporter Hildy Johnson (Russell), has gotten engaged to milquetoast insurance agent Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), he unsuccessfully tries to lure her away from tame domestic life with a story about the impending execution of convicted murderer Earl Williams.
When Hildy discovers that Williams may be innocent, she dives into the case -- will she have time for either of the men vying for her attention?
Directed by Howard Hawks
Starring Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy
United States | English | 1940 | Screwball Comedy | 92 minutes | GP
January 30: The Philadelphia Story
The classic romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story focuses on Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), due both to his drinking and to her overly demanding nature.
As Tracy prepares to wed the wealthy George Kittredge (John Howard), she crosses paths with both Dexter and prying reporter Macaulay Connor (James Stewart). Unclear about her feelings for all three men, Tracy must decide whom she truly loves.
Directed by George Cukor
Starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, John Howard
United States | English | 1940 | Screwball Comedy | 112 minutes | GP
Masks are recommended but not required.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
Film Prices
Lincoln Theatre Members get $2.00 off on the following prices with discount code:
General: $11.00
Seniors, Students, and Active Military: $10.00
Children 12 and under: $8.50
All prices include a $2.00 Preservation Fee that goes directly into our capital account for the preservation of the Lincoln Theatre and its programs.