Pursuits of Happiness: The Hollywood Comedy of Remarriage (Harvard Film Studies)

About this book

During the 30s and 40s Hollywood produced a genre of madcap comedies that emphasized reuniting the central couple after divorce or separation. Their female protagonists were strong independent and sophisticated. Here Stanley Cavell names this new genre of American filmthe comedy of remarriageand examines seven classic movies for their cinematic techniques and for such varied themes as feminism liberty and interdependence. Included are Adams Rib The Awful Truth Bringing Up Baby His Girl Friday It Happened One Night The Lady Eve and The Philadelphia Story.