WARNING: This Article May Contain Spoilers
I’ve always said that I don’t like Rom Coms but I started to wonder if the reason I don’t like them is that I’m not a fan of modern romantic comedies. So, why not go as far back as I can to see if I’m right and how the idea of romantic comedy has changed. Below we have the 1910s through to the 1960s
Mickey
This, and the second film in this article, are the only silent films I have ever seen! Yes, I covered The Cabinet of Dr Caligari in a previous article but someone had put actual speech over the film which felt pretty weird. Unlike romantic comedies in the modern times, this film has comedy from the outset, outside of the trials and tribulations of the main couple; especially between Mickey and her adoptive father, Joe. Unfortunately it was obvious to me that a relationship would form between Mickey and Herbert before they were introduced to each other, I just didn’t expect them to meet in the way that they did. However, even with the awkward interaction their attraction creates later in the film, their relationship isn’t actually the main point of the film – it is actually Mrs Drake’s, Mickey’s aunt, greed as she only wants her in the family when her mine is making money.
Die Bergkatze (The Wildcat)
I’m going to be honest, I added this because I wanted to use something different instead of all the films in this article being English or American BUT it did make it a little hard to follow at times. The film was comedic from beginning to end, especially with what seemed to be all the women of the country flocking to see Lieutenant Alexis leave his current post. What was helpful however was the use of music made it clear that Claudius and Rishka maybe aren’t too be trusted and are of ill-character. It seems to follow a similar format to Mikey in that it centres on one man and the affection of two women and with the fact that Alexis’ love seems to lie with the, I guess, underdog character of Rishka instead of with Lili, the rich daughter of the Border Force commander. The only thing is I was a little lost on why the film was called The Wildcat.
It Happened One Night
This is our first step into what would have been considered as “talkies”. I was interested in how this was going to turn into a romance as our leading lady, Ellie, is already married when we meet her and Peter seems to treat her more like a child than anything else. I guess another way to look at it is that with their bickering behaviour towards each other it’s similar to that of Benedict and Beatrice in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. In a weird kind of way, this film is more about Ellie learning what it’s like being a regular person, surviving without much money in the everyday world. Once again I started to question the title of this film as they spend more than one night together but I wonder if they mean that Ellie falling for Peter happened in one night – but the question is, which one? This actually becomes a typical story that we are more familiar with – two people start off with a dislike before transitioning to friends and ultimately lovers.
Woman of the Year
What was odd about this film is that I had a feeling that Tess and Sam were already together when the film started and the way they would snipe at each other in their articles was just a front. Of course every rom-com has it’s mishaps and for this film it is the fact that Sam is clearly and repeatedly trying to ask Tess out and it never really seems to go to plan, usually because of how busy Tess is due to her success as a journalist. It is also this success that makes Sam feel progressively lonely and inferior following their whirlwind marriage. Unfortunately all of this makes the viewer think that this may be a rom-com without a happy ending.
Singin in the Rain
I’m going to be honest, I always say I dont like romantic comedies BUT I couldn’t write this article without including this film. Much like this article, this film’s plot marks the transition from silent films to “talkies”. Unlike the some of the other films mentioned however, even though it has the usual 2 female 1 male love triangle, Don makes it pretty clear he has no interest in Lina and is in love with Cathy, it’s just unfortunate that Lina isn’t smart enough to see it! The relationship between Don and Cathy does seem to start out as chaotically as that of Rishka and Alexis in The Wildcat as Don jumps into her car to get away from some overly enthusiastic fans but this is the start of a beautiful relationship!
Barefoot in the Park
This definitely did not turn out to go the way I expected at all! You would think the focus of the romantic comedy would be on Corrie’s mother Ethel and Mr Velasco but it stays focused on our lead characters and newlyweds Corrie and Paul. Alot of the comedy is played straight which is one of the best ways to do it, in my opinion, and it’s definitely the style that would still work today. This is one of those films that follows a different style as it doesn’t have that ‘will they, won’t they’ factor, more of a will they stay together. It also has a morale at the base of it that would remind every couple that for a successful relationship – compromise is key!!
