Watch This: Funny Women

Chelse McKee, staff

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

Director: Billy Wilder

Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe star in this lighthearted, almost screwball comedy about a man (Ewell) who considers cheating on his dismissive wife (Evelyn Keyes) with a beautiful and very friendly neighbour (Monroe).

Before going any further, yes, this is the movie with the heating grate sending hot air up Monroe’s famous white dress. The well-known scene was originally shot in New York while thousands of curious onlookers whistled and cajoled Monroe. Since the crowd’s loud noise made the shot unusable, the scene had to be redone back in Hollywood.

It may be surprising that a woman long-associated with sex and a purring voice could play comedy, but Monroe plays this somewhat naive, blond character well — which can be considered a feat, if one considers what has been done to the ditzy-blond role (Jessica Simpson).

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Director: Howard Hawks

This film is not so much a screwball comedy; rather, it has a funny, dialogue-based script, and most of the talking is on the rich, wacky Susan’s side (Katherine Hepburn). Hepburn plays opposite Cary Grant, a serious scientist desperate for a vacation.

What’s interesting, though, is that the rumoured romantic relationship between David and Susan on-screen is based on a tedious affair off-screen. More specifically, the tedious affair was between Katherine Hepburn and one married director named John Ford. But then again, these are rumours.

Despite Hepburn’s serious demeanour, she is a master of comedic dialogue. She is cute, witty and charming, and creates laugh-out-loud delivery of each and every one of her lines.

Grant, in his screwball mannerism, is excellent opposite Hepburn, but he doesn’t quite match up to her charisma.

Yours, Mine, and Ours (1968)

Director: Melville Shavelson

Don’t let a bad taste of a remake ruin the original film for you. This film scored well when it was released and it’s still a high flyer now.

The film, which stars Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda, revolves around a couple in the beginning stages of a relationship, but they both have emotional baggage in the form of children. It’s not very different from what’s been seen in the trailers for the 2005 remake.

Ball, like Hepburn, simply outshines Fonda. She’s a funny lady and it’s hard to compete with that. The best scene by far is during the couple’s first date in a crowded bar, as Fonda pulls Ball through so they can leave. As she shimmies her way through, her slip begins to fall down around her ankles. Enough said — anything more will spoil the comedic moment.

At the very least, it’s good to see Lucille Ball out of her sitcom element in a comedy she co-produced.