Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Jean Arthur tries some EASY LIVING (1937)


This is the daffy story of a hard working girl named Mary (the always fresh and engaging Jean Arthur), who has a sable coat thrown on her from a window of a rich man named J.B. Ball (Edward Arnold) who is fed up with his free spending family. Directed by Mitchell Leisen from a screenplay by Preston Sturges, Easy Living is classic screwball comedy at its best. And mistaken scenarios abound as people think that Ball gave his wife's coat to Mary and she is his mistress. Ray Milland is on hand as Ball's son John who of course falls for Mary. Great slapstick scenes are aplenty in this film including a wild food fight that is hilarious. Jean Arthur is excellent in this film as she combines sex appeal, comedy, warmth, and a touch of bewilderment to her character. She is definitely one of screwball comedy's top queens. If you have never seen Easy Living, check it ASAP.




5 comments:

  1. Adding this to the Netflix queue!

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  2. This sounds like a wonderful classic. Jean Arthur, is a awesome comedienne, who always lights up the screen and the handsome debonair Ray Milland, is always very charming. thank you Monty for your awesome review.. I will put it on my "must see" list of films.

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  3. Monty ~ this is one of my favorite films; I think Ray Milland and Jean Arthur make a perfect onscreen couple.

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  4. Jean Arthur IS the Queen of Screwball Comedy, Dawn! She's absolutely adorable and incredibly funny. My favorite scene from the film is at the automat--I laugh hysterically every time I watch it.

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  5. great movie. not only the wonderful jean arthur who i love, but a revelation of ray miland. only seen him in dial m for murder had no idea how funny, suave and charming he could be.

    alyssa, australia

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