Retro Reel: The Awful Truth


By Julia Szabo

Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment, 1937, 93 minutes
 
Add this title to your Netflix queue
 
This is one of the all-time screwball comedy greats, earning its director, Leo McCarey, the 1938 Academy Award for Best Director. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne (nominated for the Best Actress Oscar) are the Warriners, Jerry and Lucy, and they're on the verge of divorce. In court, they duke it out over who gets to keep Mr. Smith, a.k.a. Smitty, a dog.
 
If it weren't for the grand period sets and gorgeous costumes, it would be hard to believe that this thoroughly modern, pro-dog movie is over 70 years young. Smitty is as well-loved as, well, your dog, with total access to the furniture and an impressive way of manipulating people into giving them what he wants.
 
What's more, the dog is the very same adorable Wire Fox Terrier who played Asta in the Thin Man series. Not surprisingly, he turns in a brilliant performance, doing stunts that range from playing a mean game of hide-and-go-seek to providing barking-on-cue accompaniment to Grant's piano playing. (And to think the little fellow doesn't even rate mention in the movie's credits!)
 
A key part of the Warriners' divorce deal is that the half of the couple that doesn't get custody of Mr. Smith gets visitation privileges. This, of course, makes possible many hilarious scenes as one soon-to-be-former spouse tries to undo the other's budding new romance.
 
It's tough to talk about this movie without spoiling it, and it's such a sparkling bottle of bubbly that you wouldn't want it opened until you're ready to drink it, or it might go flat. So break out the champagne flutes and the dog treats, and enjoy this one with your best friend. 


Presence of dogs: reelreelreelreel
Respect for dogs: reelreelreelreel
Canine star quality: reelreelreelreel
Family friendly: reelreelreelreel


 

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