VHS : Bringing Up Baby [1938]

Rating: - Fresher and funnier with every viewing
I have seen this many times but the humour never wears off. Possibly the most effective pairing of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn (I have not seen all of their films together). Hepburn is wonderfully eccentric as Susan Vance and Grant's Dr. David Huxley is ever so funny. Even when I am not watching, the thought of him in those clothes (after Susan takes away his normal ones) makes me laugh. It is impossible to choose a favourite scene as they are all brilliant, whether at the golf course, hotel, country house, etc. The film represents the genre at its best and jokes are wittily scripted, unlike modern day comedies that more often than not, use sex, bodily functions and strong language to supply the laughs. All I can say is: they don't make 'em like this anymore.

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Rating: - AN OLD FASHIONED, MADCAP, SCREWBALL COMEDY...
This is a terrific, old fashioned, madcap, screwball comedy. Deftly directed by Howard Hawkes, the pace is frenetic from the get-go and never lets up. Starring Cary Grant, as a straight-laced paleontologist, and Katherine Hepburn, as an impulsive and beautiful heiress, this film is simply about as good as comedy gets.

The plot itself is simple. David Huxley (Cary Grant), a noted paleontologist, is trying to get a philanthropical grant of money for his museum from a wealthy donor. In his quest for this charitable gift, he runs into Susan (Katherine Hepburn), who, unbeknownst to him, is the niece and prospective heiress to his potential philanthropist's fortune. Once David meets up with this madcap heiress, his life will never be the same.

The film is noted for its highly improbable situations, its rat-a-tat-tat, staccato delivery of lines, its frenetic pacing, and impeccable comedic timing. Toss in a missing dinosaur bone, a little dog with a fondness for such, a domesticated leopard (if there is such a thing), a not so tame leopard, a great cast and script, and voila, one ends up with a great film!

Cary Grant is marvelous as David Huxley, the straight-laced, befuddled man of science who is drawn into improbable situations by Susan. Katherine Hepburn is sensational as Susan, the airhead heiress whose hair-brained ideas just lead to trouble. Of course, Susan falls for David, and the games begin. In addition to Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, the film has notable performances by Charles Ruggles, as big game hunter Major Applegate, Barry Fitzgerald as the hapless hired hand, Mr. Gogarty, and Walter Catlett, as Slocum, the criminally stupid town constable.

It is with good reason that this film made The Entertainment Weekly list of the 100 best comedies ever made. It is an assessment with which I heartily concur. This is a superlative, vintage film that is well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!

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Rating: - Would you believe a Howard Hawk's film?
Bringing up baby is as described frantic, fast and noisy. Howard Hocks likes to make overlapping noisy conversations. It is sort of his signature. You do not have time to get your breath from laughing. All the actors are at their best.

There is a story line and a consistency that keeps this movie from being a bunch of one-liners. One of the themes is mistaking baby (a tame leopard) for another leopard that escaped from the circus. Every time Carry Grant gets mixed up with Katharine somthing inevitably goes wrong and this snowballs as the movie progresses. The movie moves fast enough that you may want to watch it again.

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Rating: - A fantastic film that all should see!
This is a wanderful film and one of my all time favourites! It is hellerious and a very good watch. Even though it is in Black and White is it much better than the modern films!

Every one who is a fan of comedy should watch it!

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Rating: - Interesting but very dated
This movie is very much of its time - 1938 - so for "fast-paced" and "screwball comedy" remember we're comparing it with stiff formulaic 1930s fare. The picture quality and sound are inevitably poor given the film's age. Think of Laurel and Hardy without the slapstick and add a romantic theme and you've got the idea. If you're a big fan of Hepburn and Grant you may want to catch their performances (far from their best) but if, like me, you prefer them in their more typical roles, I'd give this film a miss. "What's Up Doc?" with Ryan O'Neil and Barbra Streisand stands up much better and whilst it is only 30 rather than 60 years old you can see how filmmaking progressed dramatically in that time!