The Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Film Society of Screwball Comedy are thrilled to announce that Screwball Sundays, a film retrospective series featuring classic screwball comedies shown as Sunday matinees, will return this spring. The series kicks off March 3rd with the hilarious Cary Grant classic ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) and runs through May 26th. Each screening will feature a live introduction and Q&A following the film with Aliece Pickett, co-founder of the Film Society of Screwball Comedy (FSOSC), which is dedicated to the art, science, and preservation of screwball comedy. Doors will open 45 minutes before the 3pm showtime, allowing audiences to arrive early and enjoy preshow of original shorts and cartoons from the 1930s and 40s.
Last year’s edition of Screwball Sundays was a runaway hit with movie lovers, and this year audiences have even more to look forward to with speaking engagements generously sponsored by the FSOSC. Legendary film critic and author Molly Haskell will be speaking at a special evening engagement of THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942) on Saturday April 27th at 6pm, with a ticketed reception and book signing following the film. Ms. Haskell will also speak at the next day’s screening of the Ernest Lubitsch film DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933) on April 28th at the series’ regular showtime of 3pm.
In addition to Ms. Haskell’s appearance, author Rob Kozlowski will be speaking and signing his book Becoming Nick And Nora, The Thin Man and the Films of William Powell and Myrna Loyat the April 15th screening of AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936). Film historian and author Steven C. Smith will also be speaking at the March 3rd screening of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) and signing copies of his book Music By Max Steiner, The Epic Life of Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer (Max Steiner composed the score of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE).
The special guest speakers will be interviewed by Aliece Pickett of FSOCS, which is sponsoring the appearances. In addition to co-founding the Film Society of Screwball Comedy, Ms. Pickett has created a comprehensive catalog and database of screwball comedy films for film research, preservation, and restoration, and for use by film enthusiasts.
The screwball comedy genre emerged in the 1930s and 1940s, featuring fast-paced, witty dialogue and zany, improbable plotlines. They often revolved around mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and madcap schemes, and were known for their strong female leads and romantic tension. These films were a cornerstone of Hollywood’s golden age and continue to be beloved by audiences of all ages.
Series programmer Lauren Wolfer said “We’re so grateful to our audience for making this series a hit and giving us an opportunity to show more of these incredible films.”
Aliece Pickett of FSOSC said “After last year’s success, the Film Society of Screwball Comedy is delighted to continue its partnership with the Palm Springs Cultural Center for another season of Screwball Sundays. It’s thrilling to see these classic films on a large screen with a packed live audience”
The lineup features gems from the era’s greatest directors, including Preston Sturges, Howard Hawks, and George Cukor, with beloved stars such as Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. Tickets are available now, and attendees can save money and bypass lines by purchasing an All Access Pass, which also includes admission to the reception and book signing with Molly Haskell.
The screenings will take place on select Sundays at 3pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Historic Camelot Theatre, located at 2300 E Baristo Rd. The Historic Camelot Theatre is highly regarded by film fans, boasting one of the largest screens in the Coachella Valley and a state-of-the-art sound system.
Tickets and All Access Passes can be purchased here.
FILM SCHEDULE
March 3 – ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944) Frank Capra
Starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane
SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Historian Steven C. Smith
Writer and notorious marriage detractor Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) falls for girl-next-door Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane), and they tie the knot on Halloween. When the newlyweds return to their respective family homes to deliver the news, Brewster finds a corpse hidden in a window seat. With his eccentric aunts (Josephine Hull, Jean Adair), disturbed uncle (John Alexander), and homicidal brother (Raymond Massey), he starts to realize that his family is even crazier than he thought.
March 17 – THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937) Leo McCarey
Starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant
Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy (Irene Dunne) are a married couple who doubt each other’s fidelity: Jerry suspects Lucy and her music teacher (Alexander D’Arcy) of spending an evening together, and Lucy is convinced Jerry lied about a business trip. When the jealous pair file for divorce, both rush into new relationships, but quickly realize their love never died. The soon-to-be-divorced husband and wife then both scramble to spoil each other’s chances for newfound romance.
March 31 – HARVEY (1950) Henry Koster
Starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull
Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is a wealthy drunk who starts having visions of a giant rabbit named Harvey. Elwood lives with his sister Veta (Josephine Hull) and her daughter (Victoria Horne), and Veta worries that Elwood has gone insane. In the process of trying to have him committed, Veta admits that she occasionally sees Harvey herself. The director of the mental home, Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway), tries to reconcile his duty to help Elwood with his own growing experiences with Harvey.
April 7 – SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS (1941) Preston Sturges
starring Veronica Lake and Joel McCrea
Successful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won’t be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to “know trouble” first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.
April 14 – AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936) W.S Van Dyke II
Starring William Powell and Myrna Loy
SPECIAL GUEST: Author of Becoming Nick and Nora, Rob Kozlowski
Recently returned home from vacation, private detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his socialite wife, Nora (Myrna Loy), are back on the case when Nora’s cousin, Selma (Elissa Landi), reports her husband Robert (Alan Marshal) missing. As the duo search for the disreputable Robert, Selma’s friend David Graham (James Stewart), who secretly pines for her, aids the investigation. When the three begin to unravel Robert’s secret life, the missing persons case turns into one of murder.
April 27 – THE PALM BEACH STORY (1942) Preston Sturges
Starring Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea
*Saturday 6pm Screening with Reception*
SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Critic Molly Haskell
This screwball comedy finds married couple Tom (Joel McCrea) and Gerry Jeffers (Claudette Colbert) in a strained relationship, largely due to financial difficulties. Gerry decides to leave Tom, a struggling architect, and head to Palm Beach in order to marry a wealthy man who could fund Tom’s projects. When Tom follows Gerry, they cross paths with the quirky millionaire John D. Hackensacker III (Rudy Vallee) and his chatty, husband-seeking sister, Princess Centimillia (Mary Astor).
April 28 – DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933) Ernest Lubitsch
Starring Miriam Hopkins, Gary Cooper, and Frederic March
SPECIAL GUEST: Author and Film Critic Molly Haskell
Painter George (Gary Cooper) and playwright Thomas (Fredric March) are two Americans sharing a Paris apartment. They’re also rivals for the affection of commercial artist Gilda (Miriam Hopkins). When the plucky Gilda moves in, with the express understanding that there will be no funny business, the rivalry between George and Thomas heats up even further. Then Thomas heads to London when one of his plays is being produced there, leaving George free to make his move.
May 5 – HOLIDAY (1938) George Cukor
Starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn
Johnny (Cary Grant) seems like a solid match for Julia (Doris Nolan), the socialite daughter of Edward Seton (Henry Kolker). Assured that Johnny is a worthy suitor, Edward approves of the pairing. But, as Johnny’s wanderlust surfaces — he is more interested in traveling than in business — Edward starts to have doubts. Johnny also begins to wonder if he might not be a better match for Linda (Katharine Hepburn), Julia’s outspoken younger sister, with whom he has much more in common.
May 19 – TWENTIETH CENTURY (1934) Howard Hawks
Starring Carole Lombard and John Barrymore
When down-on-his-luck Broadway impresario Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore) meets his discovery and former flame, Lily Garland (Carole Lombard), on the glamorous 20th Century Limited train between Chicago and New York, he uses every scheme at his disposal to win the movie star back both professionally and romantically. However, Lily, along with her new beau, George (Ralph Forbes), and Jaffe’s rival producer, Max Jacobs (Charles Levison), who hired Lily to star in his latest play, have other plans.
May 26 – TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1934) Ernest Lubitsch
Starring Miriam Hopkins and Kay Francis
Thief Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall) and pickpocket Lily (Miriam Hopkins) are partners in crime and love. Working for perfume company executive Mariette Colet (Kay Francis), the two crooks decide to combine their criminal talents to rob their employer. Under the alias of Monsieur Laval, Gaston uses his position as Mariette’s personal secretary to become closer to her. However, he takes things too far when he actually falls in love with Mariette, and has to choose between her and Lily.
