Screwball Sundays: DESIGN FOR LIVING

Starring Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper, and Frederic March

Loosely based on a Noel Coward play of the same name, Ernest Lubitsch’s sexy pre-Code romp is an elegant exploration of love, art, and human desire. A commercial artist (Miriam Hopkins) finds herself unable—or unwilling—to choose between the equally dashing painter (Gary Cooper) and playwright (Frederic March) she meets on a train en route to Paris. The three enter into a “gentleman’s agreement” to live as a platonic trio, but their unconventional living arrangement soon sparks a whirlwind of passion and comedic escapades. Critics of the day celebrated "the Lubitsch touch," and the legendary director’s signature sophistication and playful storytelling are in full effect in this feminist, ahead of its time gem.

Legendary film critic, historian and author Molly Haskell will be speaking and signing books at the screenings of The Palm Beach Story starring Claudette Colbert on April 27, and Designfor Living starring Gary Cooper on April 28.

Ms. Haskell is the author of six books. From Reverence To Rape, the Treatment of Women in the Movies is cited as one of the most influential books in film history. She has written for The New York Times, The Guardian UK, Esquire, The Nation, Town and Country, The New York Observer, The New York Review of Books, The Village Voice, New York Magazine, and Vogue. She has served as associate Professor of Film at Barnard, and as Adjunct Professor of Film at Columbia University.

Ms. Haskell’s appearance is sponsored by the Film Society of Screwball Comedy, which is dedicated to the art, science, and preservation of screwball comedy. FSOSC has vast database of screwball comedy film information and resources, including books, that are available for enthusiasts. For more information, visit FSOSC.org.

March 3 - ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) Frank Capra

Starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane

SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Historian Steven C. Smith

Writer and notorious marriage detractor Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) falls for girl-next-door Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane), and they tie the knot on Halloween. When the newlyweds return to their respective family homes to deliver the news, Brewster finds a corpse hidden in a window seat. With his eccentric aunts (Josephine Hull, Jean Adair), disturbed uncle (John Alexander), and homicidal brother (Raymond Massey), he starts to realize that his family is even crazier than he thought.

March 17 - THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937) Leo McCarey

Starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant

Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy (Irene Dunne) are a married couple who doubt each other's fidelity: Jerry suspects Lucy and her music teacher (Alexander D'Arcy) of spending an evening together, and Lucy is convinced Jerry lied about a business trip. When the jealous pair file for divorce, both rush into new relationships, but quickly realize their love never died. The soon-to-be-divorced husband and wife then both scramble to spoil each other's chances for newfound romance.

March 31 - HARVEY (1950) Henry Koster

Starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull

Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is a wealthy drunk who starts having visions of a giant rabbit named Harvey. Elwood lives with his sister Veta (Josephine Hull) and her daughter (Victoria Horne), and Veta worries that Elwood has gone insane. In the process of trying to have him committed, Veta admits that she occasionally sees Harvey herself. The director of the mental home, Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway), tries to reconcile his duty to help Elwood with his own growing experiences with Harvey.

April 7 - SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS (1941) Preston Sturges

Starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea

Successful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.

April 14 - AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936) W.S Van Dyke

Starring William Powell and Myrna Loy

SPECIAL GUEST: Author of Becoming Nick and Nora, Rob Kozlowski

Recently returned home from vacation, private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his socialite wife, Nora (Myrna Loy), are back on the case when Nora's cousin, Selma (Elissa Landi), reports her husband Robert (Alan Marshal) missing. As the duo search for the disreputable Robert, Selma's friend David Graham (James Stewart), who secretly pines for her, aids the investigation. When the three begin to unravel Robert's secret life, the missing persons case turns into one of M**der.

April 27 - THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942) Preston Sturges

Starring Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea

*Saturday 6pm Screening with Reception*

SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Critic Molly Haskell

This screwball comedy finds married couple Tom (Joel McCrea) and Gerry Jeffers (Claudette Colbert) in a strained relationship, largely due to financial difficulties. Gerry decides to leave Tom, a struggling architect, and head to Palm Beach in order to marry a wealthy man who could fund Tom's projects. When Tom follows Gerry, they cross paths with the quirky millionaire John D. Hackensacker III (Rudy Vallee) and his chatty, husband-seeking sister, Princess Centimillia (Mary Astor).

April 28 - DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933) Ernest Lubitsch

Starring Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper, and Frederic March

SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Critic Molly Haskell

Painter George (Gary Cooper) and playwright Thomas (Fredric March) are two Americans sharing a Paris apartment. They're also rivals for the affection of commercial artist Gilda (Miriam Hopkins). When the plucky Gilda moves in, with the express understanding that there will be no funny business, the rivalry between George and Thomas heats up even further. Then Thomas heads to London when one of his plays is being produced there, leaving George free to make his move.

May 5 - HOLIDAY (1938) George Cukor

Starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn

Johnny (Cary Grant) seems like a solid match for Julia (Doris Nolan), the socialite daughter of Edward Seton (Henry Kolker). Assured that Johnny is a worthy suitor, Edward approves of the pairing. But, as Johnny's wanderlust surfaces -- he is more interested in traveling than in business -- Edward starts to have doubts. Johnny also begins to wonder if he might not be a better match for Linda (Katharine Hepburn), Julia's outspoken younger sister, with whom he has much more in common.

May 19 - TWENTIETH CENTURY (1934) Howard Hawks

Starring Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

When down-on-his-luck Broadway impresario Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore) meets his discovery and former flame, Lily Garland (Carole Lombard), on the glamorous 20th Century Limited train between Chicago and New York, he uses every scheme at his disposal to win the movie star back both professionally and romantically. However, Lily, along with her new beau, George (Ralph Forbes), and Jaffe's rival producer, Max Jacobs (Charles Levison), who hired Lily to star in his latest play, have other plans.

May 26 - TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1934) Ernest Lubitsch

Starring Miriam Hopkins and Kay Francis

Thief Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall) and pickpocket Lily (Miriam Hopkins) are partners in crime and love. Working for perfume company executive Mariette Colet (Kay Francis), the two crooks decide to combine their criminal talents to rob their employer. Under the alias of Monsieur Laval, Gaston uses his position as Mariette's personal secretary to become closer to her. However, he takes things too far when he actually falls in love with Mariette, and has to choose between her and Lily.

Host or Publisher Palm Springs Cultural Center