Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Intro.

Lately I've been thinking about today's films, specifically comedies, and what makes them appeal to different audiences.  I often don't understand modern comedies that are popular today, and that got me wondering how comedy films have changed over the years.  Screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby were popular back in the 1930s, but haven't been made lately.  It was a different time and laughter, especially aimed at the trials and tribulations of the priviledged upper class, would have relieved a lot of the nation's stress.  Where Public Cowboy #1 helped give voice to the struggle of farmers in the 1930s, screwball comedies could help all Americans laugh. 

Overview

The film opens with zoologist David Huxley (Cary Grant), who is nearing the completion of a brontosaurus skeleton as well as his marriage to fellow museum worker Alice Swallow (Virginia Walker).  His museum is on a list of contenders to receive a $1 million gift from Mrs. Carlton Random.  As David tries to make a good impression on Mrs. Random's lawyer, Mr. Peabody, but he does just the opposite.  That's because he keeps crossing (and criss-crossing) paths with Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), the pretty socialite who's not all that bright.  Just when he thinks he's rid of her, the next day David is excited to receive the final bone for his brontosaurus and to get ready for his wedding that afternoon.  However, Susan calls to ask for help because there's a leopard in her apartment.  Much to David's chagrin, there really is a leopard there.  Good-natured David helps Susan get the leopard, named Baby, to Susan's aunt's farm in Connecticut.  Things only get crazier as Susan plots to keep David with her as long as possible - a plan that is only helped when her aunt's dog George steals the brontosaurus bone, Baby escapes, and a local circus loses its leopard that has attacked its trainer.  In all the hilarious hunting, Susan and David continue to bicker and eventually wind up arrested.  I won't ruin how they get out, but their madcap escapades are great!

Highlights

Bringing Up Baby is a classic comedy and one of the best.  It's also Katharine Hepburn's first comedy, and she was unsure of her abilities at first.  Cary Grant coached her and encouraged her to just be herself.  The result is one of her best performances.  Both she and Grant handle themselves well and they have a natural chemistry.  As for the plot, it can't get much screwier!  At a time when class was still more divided in the U.S., I could see the appeal this film would have as it made fun of the antics of the privileged.   

There is a scene in the Connecticut house after David and Susan arrive where David has to take a shower.  While he does, Susan steals his clothes (to paraphrase Susan: "he can't leave because he's the only man I've ever loved!").  David is then forced to wear the only thing he can find, which happens to be a very flimsy woman's bathrobe trimmed in feathers.  As he proceeds to look for Susan, her aunt comes home and is disgusted by his appearance.  After asking him repeatedly why he is dressed like that and where his real clothes are, an exasperated David leaps into the air and announces "because I just went gay all of the sudden!"  They originally had to leave this out to get the film past the censors, but it was put in at the last minute and made film history.  It also furthered rumors that Cary Grant was gay, but that's another post for another time.

Finally, Bringing Up Baby has some great quotes - the writing is outstanding.  At the beginning, Susan mistakenly hits David's golf ball.  He is trying to explain to her that it was his ball.  He's talking about the brand marking: "There, you see, it's a circle."  Susan: "Now of course it is, do you think it would roll if it were square?"  When David sees Baby in Susan's apartment, he says "Susan, you have to get out of this apartment!" Susan replies, "I can't David, I have a lease!"  Some of the scenes in the film have become comedy staples too, including the accidental removal of part of Susan's dress.

Review and Recommendation

Bringing Up Baby is an excellent film that is full of good, clean entertainment.  It's sophisticated and silly all in one package, and features two of Hollywood's greatest talents at their very best.