THE PALM BEACH STORY
US, 1942, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Claudette Colbert, Joel Mc Crea, Rudy Vallee, Mary Astor, Robert Warwick, Torben Meyer, Jimmy Conlin, William Demarest, Chester Conklin, Franklin Pangborn.
Directed by Preston Sturges.
The Palm Beach Story is one of several screwball comedies written and directed by Preston Sturges in the early '40s. Other successes include The Lady Eve, Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Hail the Conquering Hero.
The film is in the tradition of the '30s screwball comedies, madcap heroines, solid heroes, mixed identities, marital mix ups. The film is farcical, witty and carried along with verve by the stars, especially Claudette Colbert and Rudy Vallee.
The film has all the ingredients of popular comedy of the time.
1. The work of Preston Sturges, comedy, wit and humour, satire? The traditions of screwball comedy?
2. Black and white photography, New York, the hotel., the train, the boat, Florida? musical score?
3. The devices of farce, mistaken identities, the chase comedy? Marital mix-ups?
4. The farcical introduction, the wedding, the twins, the frantic pace, the questions?
5. Jerry and her marriage, lack of money, Tom and his inventions, the millionaire from Texas and his giving them money, her charm, paying the bills, Tom's reaction, her decision to separate, sneaking away, the taxi, the train and the gentleman helping, the party on the train. the carriage taken off, the encounter in the sleeping car, her talk with Hansekker, his wealth, the boat, his sister, Tom's arrival, the pretence, the dinners, the flirting, true love prevailing ? and the irony of the twins for the wedding?
6. Tom as earnest, his inventions, lack of money. his anger with Jerry, his decision to follow her after meeting the Texan, Jerry leaving the train, his meeting her, pretending to be her brother, the ending and the truth?
7. Hansekker: rich, the mix ups in the sleeping car, talk, love, his sister?
8. His sister and her divorces, wealth, sophistication?
9. The Texan and his wife. Franklin Pangborn as the hotel assistant? The Texan and his money, age, charmed?
10. The travellers and revellers on the train?
11. Verbal humour, situation? American style?. Marriage, love, money and success?
