Favorite Rom-Coms
Published July 16th, 2007 in Makin' Movies, Flicks, It's Really Just All About Me....
I really like romantic comedies. I like them so much that I write them as well. It’s one of the reasons L.A. Mommy and I moved out here back in 1995. Well, I didn’t know it at the time that I wanted to pen romantic comedies, but I knew I wanted to create really fun movies.
I always wanted to write the kind of movie that would be showing on TNT or USA on a Saturday afternoon and someone flipping channels would stop to watch it. It took me a while, and a few lame script attempts, to discover that my passion was writing the “Rom-Com” (which is movie-speak for romantic comedies.)
Of course, many people find it humorous that a large Neanderthal like me writes mushy chick flicks. Most producers and film execs meet me, look up into my eyes, and pat me on the shoulder. Talking really slow, they ask, “So, you write movies about football?” Most don’t believe what I’m capable of until they close the script on page 120, with mouthes hanging wide open, and eyes bugging out of their heads - “You? Wrote this? With your wife’s help, I’m sure… No? Reeeeeeeallllyy?”
L.A. Mommy usually has a different reaction when she reads my stuff. She usually slams the script down and asks, “If you can write all this romantic stuff, why can’t you DO any of it?!”
I bring this up because I’m finishing up a big re-write on my latest one. I’ve been working on it for quite some time and it’s been taking up all my creative energy. I’ve had nothing left to pour into my blog, so — for that, I’m sorry it’s been so boring around here.
But, it’s summertime and all the TV shows are on hiatus and most of the new movies that will come out the rest of the season will blow. I thought I’d give a shoutout to a few romantic comedies that you might never have seen or you haven’t seen in a long time. First - I know most of you think of movies like Pretty Woman and You’ve Got Mail when you hear romantic comedy, but there are so many great films out there that put these films to shame.
First, you must consider a few of the classics - did you know that You’ve Got Mail is a remake of a film starring Jimmy Stewart called Shop Around the Corner?
So, cue up your Netflix account with some of these Golden Oldies:
- It Happened One Night: not just a great rom-com, one of the greatest movies of all time. Clark Gable and a buttload of Academy Awards.
- Philadelphia Story: Two words - Cary Grant. The king of rom-coms. Kate Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart ain’t half bad either.
- My Man Godfrey: William Powell as a homeless man who is taken in my a ditzy rich socialite. Classic screwball. Carole Lombard helped create the whole Dumb Blonde thing.
- The Awful Truth: Cary again. And I fell in love with Irene Dunne in this one. It’s even got a dog.
Now for some more recent flicks:
- The Apartment: Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Has some big dramatic moments in it, but it’s a hilarious film.
- What’s Up, Doc?: Screwball makes a comeback with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal.
- Annie Hall: This was pretty much Woody Allen’s anti-romantic comedy. He was trying to tear down all those feel-good marriage movies starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. If you watch this movie and then watch When Harry Met Sally, you’ll realize that the latter is trying to put all those romantic notions back together again - instead of Woody talking to the camera, it’s the old couples talking about romance.
- The Goodbye Girl: Richard Dreyfus is not exactly leading man material, but… it was th 70’s! The decade of the ugly guy! And he won an Oscar for this role with Marsha Mason (who was married to the writer.) This movie was originally set in L.A. instead of New York and it starred Robert DeNiro. After two weeks of shooting, they realized it wasn’t working. They rewrote it and recast it. The rest, as they say, is history.
- Tootsie: One of the best scripts of all time. If you watch it, look at all the character interactions that take place in a two hour movie. Dustin deals with a girlfriend, roommate, agent, actress, actresses’ father, a director, and older actor, and then look at the interactions the other characters have. Great stuff. If you can stand Dustin as a woman.
Good modern stuff:
- Groundhog Day: On my top 5 list of movies I wish I’d written. Replace Andie McDowell and it’s probably a perfect movie.
- A Fish Called Wanda: Most wouldn’t consider it a rom-com, but it really is. It’s a caper movie with a big cast, but nearly all the great movies have main characters who have other major missions that don’t include failing in love.
- There’s Something About Mary: Despite all the humorous gag shots (hair gel, anyone?), deep down this is a very sweet romantic film. Franks Above the Beans makes it pretty good, too 
So, check out any comedy with Cary Grant. Avoid most of them with Hugh Grant (except 4 Weddings) and you should be happy.
When I’m done with my script, I’ll email it to anyone who is interested. It’s called Come Get Me. Hopefully, it will be one of those films that someone will stop and watch if it’s playing on a sleepy Sunday afternoon.
“If you can write all this romantic stuff, why can’t you DO any of it?!”
LOL!
Writing about it is the same and DOING, right? At least that’s my line…
psssst - anyone looking? No? Ok. I like rom-coms too. Don’t tell my wife though - she thinks I do it as a favor to her.
I know a lot of people (myself included) who wish they wrote Groundhog Day - though I do like Andie (who, btw, is also in Four Weddings…).
I’d love to see the script when it’s done.
Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach–or write.
I’d love to read it….
I’d love to read it too. Have any of your scripts been made into movies?
I’m not surprised to hear you like writing sweet and fun movies. Your blog is sweet and fun too.
not just a movie that you watch on Sunday afternoon on TNT, but one that you watch 4 TIMES ALL WEEKEND LONG ON TNT because you love it that much.
My husband just got me Philadelphia Story from Netflix. Frankly, I know the words as well as my son knows all the words to the movie Cars. Cary Grant is hot.
Your list was excellent.
I think in another life I was a chick. I love me my romantic comedies.
Maybe you, me and Big Dub can check out a flick together - you know, a real man’s night out.
I totally want to read your masterpiece.
(I loved your favorites but what about American President? My personal fave)
I like Andie too, but then again I also like Hugh Grant. I think my favorite, aside from 4WAAF is Love Actually.
Rom-Com’s are a favorite in our house too. I’m not even going to pretend I’m embarrassed.
“If you can write all this romantic stuff, why can’t you DO any of it?!” haha good question. It’s good to know that you also write romantic stories…
Great list! Add me to the readers list please.
Excellent list. My Man Godfrey is one of my favorite movies, as is the timeless Philadelphia Story. I just introduced PS to Mama, who loved it, of course.
I like writing the rom com as well.
While I’m not a big Kevin Costner fan, for me, Tin Cup is the perfect rom com format.
Great list, btw.
I adore Cary Grant in Philadelphia Story. I adore him in His Girl Friday with Roz Russell. And one of all time romantic faves is him with Audrey Hepburn in Charade.
So sweet how she sticks her index finger in the cleft in his chin, looks at him adoringly and says “How DO you shave in there?”
Good list. Glad to see you share my disdain for Andie McDowell.
I so wish I could write rom-com. I would love to read your script when it’s finished.
How do you feel about Love Actually?
Romantic comedies are my favorite movies — I’ve seen every movie you’ve mentioned several times — but they seem so difficult to do nowadays — because our concept of romance and reality has changed so much since the golden age of cinema.
Right on! Keep truckin’, my friend.
I’ll gladly read it, if you’re so inclined. I’ve read a few of my friends’ screenplays. I know how hard it is to find someone to REALLY read it. I’ve had my fair share of getting honest in-put regarding my own one-person play that I’ve written. (which by the way, I’ll be performing it at the HUBB Theater in No Hollywood - so when I have the dates, I’ll let you know - I’d love to have your feedback on it when I have it on its feet - I’ll still be work-shopping it.)
So, I kind of look at it like “moving karma”. One should always offer a hand in helping a friend move, ’cause you’ll be doing it yourself one day. And of course, the more I read, it makes me a better writer as well.
So, when you’re “finished”, please feel free to send it my way.
Oh, and thanks for the suggestions!
Fantastic list, Daddy! I love the high-speed dialog from that era. Cary Grant is the bee’s knees! Or something along those lines, circa 1944.
If I may throw a few more in the ring…
Some Like It Hot
Bringing Up Baby
Muriel’s Wedding
Plus, don’t overlook Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont going head to head in anything! A priceless combo.
I’ve seen all but two on your list…I’m a sucker for the golden oldies.
And um, as a woman, I’d like an explaination about how you can imagine it and can’t turn it into reality….
(This from a woman who writes dirty sex articles and her husband looks at her and scratches his head asking …”if you’re this dirty here, why can’t you be dirty there???”)
Snicker.
If you want to email me, I’d love to take a gander…
Great list! Couldn’t agree more with “It Happened One Night”. And I named my cat after “My Man Godfrey”. Nothing beats William Powell and Carole Lombard; and Cary Grant and well, anybody. I would also add “Red Dust” with Gable and Harlow to the list!
I many (if not all) of those mentioned, but I have a special place in my heart for the “offbeat” Romantic Comedy such as Some Kind of Wonderful and Grosse Pointe Blank
I am a sucker for Rom-Com, but my husband is most definitely not. I have to save up movies on my “to-see” list for when he is out of town. I’m definitely going to add some of the ones you mentioned to my netflix queue — I love almost anything starring Cary Grant or William Powell.
I am also a closet old timey musical lover….
You left out a couple of wonderful Doris Day goodies: “Teacher’s Pet” with Ms Day and Clark Gable, and “The Thrill of It All” with Doris and James Garner. Two comedic gems!
I am currently rehearsing as C.K. Dexter Haven for the play Philadelphia Story . I have to say I thought the movie was rather dry comparatively, but that may just be sour grapes on my part because I don’t look like Cary Grant.
I love Philadelphia Story and It Happened One Night. But my favorites are the Katharine Hepburn/ Spencer Tracy movies, especially Adam’s Rib.
And wow, a guy who likes romantic comedies. That’s awesome.
Looks like your blog ate my commet so I am reposting.
I would have thought the less of you if your list had not included “The Apartment”. I loved this film from the first time I saw it. I must have been 6. Far too young to even understand why Shirley Mac ended up in Jack L’s room but somehow I understood and sympathised with his longing.
I would add “Barefoot in the PArk” which is a little too kooky for today’s standards but has some great lines:
“They stuffed your shirts beautifully”
and it has one of the funniest scenes in RomCom history where a phone installer finds himself caught in the corssfire of a simmering row.
I love these movies too…I actually blogged about Holiday and mentioned The Philadelphia Story not too long ago. (Both are based on plays that are better than the movies though…imho). I agree with MOobs that Barefoot in the Park is a great one too.
I do like both Andie McDowell and Hugh Grant though. About a Boy and Love Actually are both pretty good.
I’d love to see the screenplay too.