Directed by John Ford • 1935 • United States
Starring Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur
Edward G. Robinson spoofs his own tough-guy image in this lively gangster farce, one of director John Ford’s rare forays into straight comedy. In a delightful double role, Robinson plays mild-mannered office clerk Arthur Jones, who just happens to look exactly like public enemy number one, the ruthless mobster Killer Mannion, an unfortunate coincidence that leads to serious trouble for both Arthur and his plucky office crush (Jean Arthur). The breakneck pacing and clever script (cowritten by Frank Capra’s regular collaborator Robert Riskin) yields one of the fastest and funniest screwballs of the 1930s.
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Desk Set
Directed by Walter Lang • 1957 • United States
Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Joan BlondellIt’s human ingenuity vs. artificial intelligence in this witty and prescient comic marvel, one of the most delightful of the celebrated pairings between screen icons Katharine Hepburn and Spen...
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Working Girls
Directed by Dorothy Arzner • 1931 • United States
Starring Judith Wood, Dorothy Hall, Charles “Buddy” RogersDorothy Arzner offers a snappily entertaining, socially perceptive look at female solidarity in this Depression-era tale of young women striving to succeed in their careers and in love. N...
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The Office Wife
Directed by Lloyd Bacon • 1930 • United States
Starring Dorothy Mackaill, Lewis Stone, Natalie MoorheadThough little-known today due to her relatively short-lived career, Dorothy Mackaill was one of the most intriguing screen personalities of the silent and pre-Code eras. She shines—opposite up...
