Beginning Wednesday, July 9th and continuing through November 12th, the Brattleboro Film Festival and Brooks Memorial Library will present free afternoon screenings of nine Hollywood classic screwball comedies from Tinseltown’s Golden Era.
A film by renowned Director Preston Sturges whose comedies mix the sensibilities of “a lowbrow aristocrat” with a that of a “melancholy wiseguy” will kick-off the five month-long series on July 9th at 2 p.m. in the library’s Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor. Eight other comedies will screen on select Wednesdays through mid-November.
The screwball comedy genre came to life during the Great Depression when Americans needed escape and class warfare was at an all-time high. The finest writers, directors and actors of the 20th century created these iconic films that present the issues of the day in a farcical manner while, for the first time in filmmaking history, showcasing women as extraordinary comedians who combine the qualities of being smart, sexy and in charge.
The films chosen for the Library’s screwball comedy series have topics that seem as timely today–given recent headlines–as they were in the pre-World War II era in which they were made.
Brattleboro Film Festival Advisory Board member Tim Metcalfe and journalist Tom Bedell will host post-screening discussions in the library’s Meeting Room covering a wide range of topics related to the screwball comedy era, filmmaking and Hollywood trivia in general. Brooks Memorial Library Director Jerry Carbone conceived of the idea after reviewing feedback forms submitted by attendees of the Library’s successful Film Noir series that concluded in April of this year.
Due to licensing restrictions please call the library at 802-254-5290 to get the titles, or register for the library’s eNews at brookslibraryvt.org to receive a pdf of the flyer for the series. Flyers with titles will also be posted on the Library’s events’ bulletin boards.
Save the dates for all the films! (Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to post titles outside the Library. Please check brookslibraryvt.org or call 802-254-5290 for title information)
July 9 – A PRESTON STURGES FILM (approximately one hour, 1940) Nothing is worse than being made the butt of a joke at work—unless Preston Sturges writes the punch line
July 23 AN ERNST LUBITSCH FILM (approximately one hour, 1940) The action takes place in Paris of the 1930s and involves thieves masquerading as French nobility and a beautiful victim who is also an heiress. Nobody loses their heads, but somebody does lose his heart.
August 13 A FRANK CAPRA FILM (approximately one hour and 40 minutes, 1934) This is the seminal screwball comedy—so much so that it swept the 1934 Academy Awards. It’s still as breezy and beguiling today as when it debuted 80 years ago.
August 27 A HOWARD HAWKS FILM (approximately two hours, 1934) Pygmalion meets A Star is Born and starring the leading lady of the day who brings 1930s Broadway to life. Glamor, hijinks and history—and Carole Lombard.
After the films stick around for a discussion lead by cinephiles Tom Bedell, golf/beer journalist and lover of film; and Tim Metcalfe, veteran Hollywood screenwriter and Brattleboro Film Festival Advisory Board member.
The Screwball Comedy Film Series is cosponsored with the Brattleboro Film Festival. Part 2 coming in September. Al films are free and open to the public. Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room, Wednesdays at 2 pm. Check brookslibraryvt.org or call 802-254-5290 for more information.
