The Awful Truth is a 1937 romantic comedy (also screwball comedy) film. The plot concerns the machinations of a soon-to-be-divorced couple, played by Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, who go to great lengths to try to ruin each other's romantic escapades. It also stars Ralph Bellamy.

The film was written by Sidney Buchman (uncredited) and Viña Delmar, from the play by Arthur Richman. It was directed by Leo McCarey. This film marked the first appearance of the uniquely effective light comedy persona used by Cary Grant in almost all his subsequent films, catapulting Grant's career. Writer/director Peter Bogdanovich has noted that after this movie, when it came to light comedy, "there was Cary Grant and everyone else was an also-ran." McCarey is largely credited with concocting this persona, and the two men even shared an eerie physical resemblance.

Ironically, Grant fought hard to get out of the film during its shooting, since McCarey seemed to be improvising as he went along, and initially even wanted to switch roles with Ralph Bellamy.

The film has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Awards

• Best Picture (nomination)
• Best Director - Leo McCarey
• Best Actress (nomination) - Irene Dunne
• Best Supporting Actor (nomination) - Ralph Bellamy

Cast

External links

1937 films | Romantic comedy films | Screwball comedy films | Best Picture Academy Award winners | Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award nominated performance | Films featuring a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nominated performance | United States National Film Registry | Films directed by Leo McCarey

Die schreckliche Wahrheit