The Awful Truth Overview:

The Awful Truth (1937) was a Comedy - Romance Film directed by Leo McCarey and produced by Leo McCarey and Everett Riskin.

The film was based on the play of the same name written by Arthur Richman performed at the Henry Miller's Theatre, NY from Sep 18, 1922 - Jan 1923.

SYNOPSIS

In their first on-screen matchup, Grant and Dunne play a divorcing couple bent on mutual ruination. Jerry Warriner returns from a two-week Florida vacation to find his socialite wife, Lucy, has also been away. When she saunters in on the arm of the handsome Armand, Jerry looks the fool in front of society pals. But after discovering that the oranges Jerry has brought from Florida are stamped "California," Lucy realizes that her husband, too, has been up to no good.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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The Awful Truth was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1996.

Academy Awards 1937 --- Ceremony Number 10 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorRalph BellamyNominated
Best ActressIrene DunneNominated
Best DirectorLeo McCareyWon
Best Film EditingAl ClarkNominated
Best PictureColumbiaNominated
Best WritingVina DelmarNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant discover “The Awful Truth”

By Stephen Reginald on Nov 27, 2024 From Classic Movie Man

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant discover “The Awful Truth” In 1937, Irene Dunne was at the height of her career. The year before, Dunne received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Theodora Goes Wild, a comedy role she was reluctant to take. That picture was a critical success f... Read full article


COMEDY GOLD #5: Sister Act from The Awful Truth (1937)

By Carol Martinheira on May 27, 2018 From The Old Hollywood Garden

COMEDY GOLD #5: Sister Act from The Awful Truth (1937) On May 27, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized I think Irene Dunne?s performance in The Awful Truth (1937) is one of the greatest, most nuanced comedic performances of all time and while I could have chosen any scene fro... Read full article


1001 Classic Movies: The Awful Truth

By Amanda Garrett on Feb 5, 2017 From Old Hollywood Films

The Awful Truth (1937) starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. Each Monday, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 series and reviews of earlier films covered go here). February's theme is the leading l... Read full article


Review: The Awful Truth (1937)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 21, 2016 From 4 Star Films

The Awful Truth came out of a trend that was in vogue during the 1930s. It’s called a comedy of “remarriage.” During the Hays Code era, it allowed films to nimbly skirt the whole issue of divorce and extramarital romance. We would see it again in the more remembered screwball His G... Read full article


Review: The Awful Truth (1937)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Sep 21, 2016 From 4 Star Films

The Awful Truth came out of a trend that was in vogue during the 1930s. It’s called a comedy of “remarriage.” During the Hays Code era, it allowed films to nimbly skirt the whole issue of divorce and extramarital romance. We would see it again in the more remembered screwball His G... Read full article


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Quotes from

Jerry Warriner: In a half an hour, we'll no longer be Mr. and Mrs. Funny, isn't it.
Lucy Warriner: Yes, it's funny that everything's the way it is on account of the way you feel.
Jerry Warriner: Huh?
Lucy Warriner: Well, I mean, if you didn't feel that way you do, things wouldn't be the way they are, would they? I mean, things could be the same if things were different.
Jerry Warriner: But things are the way you made them.
Lucy Warriner: Oh, no. No, things are the way you think I made them. I didn't make them that way at all. Things are just the same as they always were, only, you're the same as you were, too, so I guess things will never be the same again.


Jerry Warriner: I'm going out to get some popcorn and pink lemonade. I've just seen a three-ring circus.


Jerry Warriner: [to Barbara Vance on the phone] Naturally she's anxious to meet you, too, but...
Lucy Warriner: Yes, tell her I'd love to meet her. Tell her to wear boxing gloves.


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Facts about

The dog playing Mr. Smith in 'The Awful Truth' was in 'The Thin Man' movies as Asta.
First of three movies that paired Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 10, 1941 with Ralph Bellamy reprising his film role.
read more facts about The Awful Truth...
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Best Director Oscar 1937






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National Film Registry

The Awful Truth

Released 1937
Inducted 1996
(Sound)




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Also directed by Leo McCarey




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Also produced by Leo McCarey




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