Sciolism Rocks

There’s a notable addition to the public domain this year: His Girl Friday by Howard Hawkes, starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russel.

It’s an amazing film because it was one of the first that allowed improv on the set, and one of the first that let actors start lines while others were still speaking. It’s these characteristics that make it feel much more modern than its 1940 release date.

And if you’re one of those that think Aaron Sorkin is one of the first to write snappy dialog, watch this film (which you can donload in its entirety from the Internet Archive). Want a taste? Here’s three good minutes. Hildy (Russel) has just told her recently ex-husband Walter (Grant) that she’s getting married. And the three are about to meet.

Listen close for Grant to ask Bruce (Ralph Bellamy) if he brought “Rubbers too, I hope”, because “A man ought to be prepared for any emergency.”

And yes, the gent playing Bruce is Ralph Bellamy, who many know as Randolph Duke, one of the older gents who made the bet that made Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd Trade Places.

One of the amazing improv bits in this movie is when Grant tells Bellamy “Hey, you look like…like…that film actor, Ralph Bellamy.” Watch for it.

Holy crap this movie is funny.