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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).

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
See More Oscar Winners

The Awful Truth 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 f... 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

o/t: The Awful Truth (1937)

By John Grant on Jul 8, 2014 From Noirish

== One of the delights about contributing a few essays to the Wonders in the Dark Romantic Movie Countdown is that in a couple of instances I’ve been pushed well outside my comfort zone. Nowhere is this more true than with the screwball comedy The Awful Truth. I mean, this is me: I don’t... Read full article

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The Awful Truth Quotes:

Jerry Warriner: I wish Lucy would go out and get some fun for herself now and again. It would do her good. That's the trouble with most marriages today. People are always imagining things. The road to Reno is paved with suspicions. And the first thing you know, they all end up in a divorce court.
Jerry Warriner: And if you get bored in Oklahoma City, you can always go over to Tulsa for the weekend!
Jerry Warriner: In the spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to what he's been thinking about all winter.
Jerry Warriner: I'm going out to get some popcorn and pink lemonade. I've just seen a three-ring circus.
Lucy Warriner: I've seen your picture in the paper and wondered what you looked like.
See More Quotes from The Awful Truth
The Awful Truth Facts
Much of the film was improvised by director Leo McCarey and the cast during filming each day.
Tay Garnett turned down an offer to direct the movie.
The dog playing Mr. Smith in 'The Awful Truth' was in 'The Thin Man' movies as Asta.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 10, 1941 with Ralph Bellamy reprising his film role.
Cary Grant was so convinced this film was not working, he begged to released during production. The film turned out to be a big hit.
See More Facts about The Awful Truth >>