Tue 26 Jan 2010
A Movie Review by Walter Albert: EASY LIVING (1937).
Posted by Steve under Films: Comedy/Musicals , Reviews[4] Comments
EASY LIVING. Paramount, 1937. Jean Arthur, Ray Milland, Edward Arnold, Mary Nash, Luis Alberni, Franklin Pangborn, William Demarest. Screenplay by Preston Sturges, from a story by Vera Caspary. Director: Mitchell Leisen. Shown at Cinecon 45, Hollywood CA, September 2009.
Although this was described as a well known classic (at least to Cinephile attendees), I don’t recall seeing it in the 19 years I’ve been attending the convention, and after one viewing, I can tell you that it’s not a film I would easily forget.
With a sizzling script by Preston Sturges and direction by Mitchell Leisen that never misses a comic beat, this is, in my opinion, a lost screwball masterpiece.
When Wall Street tycoon Edward Arnold tosses the expensive sable coat his wife has bought off the balcony of their apartment, it lands on Jean Arthur, ruining her hat, and setting off a chain of improbable but hilarious events that will hit the headlines of every newspaper in the country, turn the stock market upside down, and, in the funniest set piece in the movie, turn an automat into a riotous madhouse.
Arthur is a delightful madcap, Ray Milland an adroit comic and romantic foil, and every other actor in the film, from co-star Arnold down to the most insignificant walk-on player, performs flawlessly, like the mechanism in a classy Swiss watch.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I don’t know about the rest of you, but after a rave review like this from Walter, this one goes on my Must Obtain list.
I’ve seen many of Jean Arthur’s movies — some several times! — but never this one.
And for a change, this one’s easy enough to find a copy of — and I already have, in the midst of writing this comment. One click at Amazon, and it’s on its way…
— Steve
January 27th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Mitchell Leisen has never been highly praised as he should be, but his taste and timing seldom faltered and his pictorial sense was perfect for a studio like Paramount.. and a pleasant trifle like this.
January 28th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Since I like screwball comedies and I have alot of respect for Preston Sturges, I watched the dvd of this film last night. It was an excellent comedy and the riot in the automat was one of the funniest I’ve seen.
Dan refers to it as a pleasant trifle, but I see it as a major comedy. I hope Steve finds time to watch it and report back to us with his opinion.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I’m going to put it at the top of my To Be Watched List as soon as it comes in.