Screwball!: Hollywood's Madcap Roamantic Comedies

During the 1930s and early '40s, Hollywood ``screwball comedies'' had their heyday. Characterized by the substitution of ``comedic'' animosity or violence for affection and sexuality in male-female interactions (sexuality was ruthlessly suppressed by the Production Code), well-known films of this style include Bringing Up Baby , It Happened One Night and Topper , with stars such as Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, William Powell and Myrna Loy. This oversize volume, illustrated with 240 black-and-white movie stills and publicity shots, examines the weird world of screwball comedy--a world where, as freelance film journalist Sikov writes, ``hatred is no reason to give up on a relationship.'' Devotees of Unfaithfully Yours or My Man Godfrey will enjoy the author's breezily perceptive opinions and succinct plot encapsulations. A screwball filmography is included. (Jan.)