Development of the genre Rom/Com

I have analysed a Romantic Comedy genre based film on every slide.

Hannah Saunders.

 The Film Kiss Me Again is an American film produced in August 1925. It is a Romantic comedy directed by Ernst Lubistch. Kiss Me Again was distributed by the well known American film company, Warner Bros. The film is based on the French play Divorons! Which was released in 1882, they used a 35 mm film to produce the footage of this film. There is no certification for this time due to the time it was produced. This is known as a Lost Film, which is when the film no longer exists in any studio archives. Kiss Me Again is a silent film, this highlights the time in which it was created, the film is also a black and white film therefore the audience appeal for modern day wouldnt be as popular as it would have been in the 1920s due to the vast change in development in the film industry, such as coloured films. However the audience appeal in the 1920s would have been quite high as it was a modern spin on the French play Divorons!, which viewers would have been interested to watch. The film contains themes of love and regret, this relates well to the genre of the film because Romantic Comedies tend to contain themes of love to represent the romantic aspect of the genre. The theme of regret can relate to the genre as in the plot the wife regrets having a divorce with her husband, this can be an element of the romantic side as well as a comical element as the pity that she is feeling can come across as quite funny. The plot of the film is quite simple, about a wife who fulfills her love for music and has an interest in a particular musician. The wife and her husband then get a divorce in which the wife Lou Lou regrets and trys to win back her husband who happily takes her back. This is very different to the film plots in modern day, as it seem quite simple and short. Whereas films in the 2000s are known to be quite complex full of a lot of detail which seems to keep the audience hooked. I feel as though the film Kiss Me Again has a Linear narrative as the plot runs quite smoothly. In the film there are characters of the likes from the 8 Propp Characters theory, such as the wife could be seen as the Princess type character due to the regret she is feeling when she wants to win her ex husband back, she insinuates that she has a destiny which is to get the husband back after making a mistake. The musician, that is the man the wife started seeing once she had a divorce with her husband, can be seen as the Villain within the narrative because of the jealousy he gets once realizing the wife wants to get her ex husband back. The ex husband can be seen as the False Hero in a way that he is almost known as the victim within the narrative as he hasnt done anything wrong but has lost his wife along the way, but also holds complications when taking the wife back straight away as the feelings that can stem once this happens, such as the feeling of trust can be jeopardized.

1920s

The film Breakfast for Two was made in 1937, the film was released in October 1937, they used a 35 mm film to produce the footage of this film.. It is known as a screwball comedy which is an American film type that became popular during the Great Depression- a severe issue worldwide. Certification:N/A. The genre for this film is an American Romantic Comedy. The themes in this film are Love, Sorrow and Deviousness, due to the fact that the Val is attracted towards this man who is struggling in life and she feels for him and helps him at the same time of her planning the future with him later on in life. This relates to the genre Romantic Comedy because of the elements such as Love and Deviousness can both relate to Comedic aspects and most definitely Romantic elements within the narrative. It was made by RKO Radio Pictures, RKO stands for Radio-Keith-Orpheum, it was one of the large Hollywood's Golden studios. RKO Radio Pictures was formed in 1928s, so the film Breakfast for Two was made 9 years after RKO Radio Pictures was founded. The budget for this film was $500,000, the running time for this film was only 67 Minutes, this in comparison to films in the 2000s where the duration of the film usually lasts for about 150 Minutes. Breakfast for Two was directed by Alfred Santell, who was an American film director born in 1895, who passed away 9 years after Breakfast for Two was released. The films cast included film stars such as Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall and Glenda Farrell. The actress Barbara Stanwyck got offered the role for this film shortly after the Oscar nominated film Stella Dallas. The plot of this film involves a drunken man waking up to find that a woman had kindly escorted him home, the woman, Val is attracted towards him however knows that he has no aim in life and his family are practically bankrupt, therefore she decides to reform his life and marry him later on in life once his life is on track. I feel as though that this film is Linear Narrative due to the simplistic plot that is conveyed along with the step by step storyline. The plot relates to the Narrative theory of a Linear as the woman has planned ahead, however parts of the future are not shown in the film in the present, so the film runs in order of time. The characters in this film there are characters of the likes from the 8 Propp Characters theory, for example the drunken man can be seen as the Donor in an unusual way, due to the fact that the man is providing the women with the issues that she would like to sort out in order for her to achieve her mission of having a future with this man after his problems are resolved therefore this can then relate the 8 Propp character of a Hero/Helper.

1930s

The Philadelphia Story is an American Rom-Com, which was directed by George Cukor. The cast included actors/actresses such as Cary Grant, James Stewart and Ruth Hussey. This film is based on the Broadway play, of The Philadelphia Story which is by Philip Barry. The running time of this film is 112 minutes long. The Box Office price for this film is $3,000,000. The Philadelphia Story was produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The film was released on Boxing Day of 1940, the Cinematography was by Joseph Ruttenberg. The Philadelphia Story was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The plot involves a married socialite couple who ended their marriage due to the husbands excessive drinking problems, Two years after the divorce Tracy (the ex wife) remarried, Spy Magazine wanted to cover the wedding and enlisted Dexter (the ex husband) to get two people as family friends to report from the wedding. Tracy is not fooled but lets them stay regardless. The Narrative of this films is Linear due to the smooth running of the film. The Philadelphia Story was the 5th most popular film in the American Box Office in 1941. At the 1940 Academy Awards The Philadelphia Story received 6 Nominations, which includes -Outstanding Production =MGM (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Producer) Best Director = George Cukor Best Actor = James Stewart, he can be seen as the Villain in the film referring to the 8 Propp Character theory. Best Actress = Katharine Hepburn, she can be seen as the Princess within the film referring to the 8 Propp Character Theory. Best Writing, Screenplay = Donald Ogden Stewart Best Supporting Actress = Ruth Hussey SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philadelphia_Story_(film) (Awards and Honors) Certification- Original Rating: A Re-rating (1998):U in the UK. The themes of this film are Jealousy, Love and Deceitfulness. This relates to the genre of a Romantic Comedy well, due to the Love that can contain symbolism of the Romantic aspect of the genre whereas the Jealousy and Deceitfulness can relate to the comedic element of the genre. The Mise-en-scene is interesting to analyze, especially the sets in which this film was produced such as at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

1940s

The film Singin In The Rain was published in 1952, it is an American Musical Comedy directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Singin In The Rain was an original song from 1929, this was used as one of the main songs in this film. Film stared director Gene Kelly himself, along with Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen and Millard Mitchell. The budget for this film was $2,540,000 and the box office price was $7,200,000. The film is filmed in colour with the technical elements of the sound created by Mono a Western Electric Sound System. Running time for Singin In The Rain is 103 Minutes which is slightly shorter to the duration time for films in the 2000s and upwards. Cinematography is by Harold Rosson. Editing by Adrienne Fazan. Distributed by the company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The plot- A popular silent film star, Don Lockwood, has other ambitions to become a singer, dancer and a stuntman. Him and his leading lady Lina Lamont have an onscreen romance to increase their popularity, however Lina is convinced the two are really in love whereas Don would disagree. After one of Dons film premieres, he jumps in to a passing car, to avoid all of his fans. The driver of this car was Kathy Selden, she asks Don to be one of the leading actresses in Dons film, they go to Dons after party. It turns out that Kathy is a Chorus Girl, Don proceeds to tease her, through Kathys embarrassment she throws a cake at him however it hits Lina instead. Kathy fled off, Don was looking for her up to two weeks however couldnt find her. Lina told Don that she had made sure that Kathy got fired from her job. Don finds Kathy working at another Monumental Pictures production, they both sort out their issues and confess their love to one another. The plot relates to the narrative theory of a Linear Narrative. Certification- U in the UK. The audiences appeal to the film is important and it gives an overall representation of whether the film is successful or not, therefore the elements that make the audiences appeal higher are within the Gratification Theory. In this film I feel as though the main appeal is from the escapism of the narrative that is jolly and Glorious, which is a word that is usually associated with this film because it is an escape from the day to day life that the audience have to a all round happy narrative, as well as the entertainment of the plot which is the fake on screen romance is being perceived differently from one of the characters involved.

1950s

1960s
The film Breakfast at Tiffanys was created in 1961, the film stars film star Audrey Hepburn, this helped make the film extremely popular in the 60s. The film starred actors and actresses such as Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, Breakfast at Tiffanys featured Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, Patricia Neal and Mickey Rooney. The film was Distributed and released by Paramount Pictures, Breakfast at Tiffanys was directed by Blake Edwards. It included some similar characteristics of the novel Breakfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote. The themes of this film are Love and Confusion, due to the persona of Holly comes across as if she is a Chameleon. These themes relate to the genre of a Romantic Comedy as the love will relate to the romance and the confusion can be perceived as comical. Cinematography was by Franz F. Planer and Philip H. Lathrop. Running time 115 Minutes. Budget-$2.5 million Box office-$14,000,00 The film comes in two different languages which is English and Portuguese, Plot: A writer moves to New York City, in to an Apartment. He becomes fascinated by the pretty neighbour of his who goes by the name of Holly, her personality changes confuse the writer as out in public Holly is a sexy and independent character whereas when the two are alone she is a vulnerable and sweet character. This film is a Linear narrative due to the smooth running of the film. Certification: UK -PG (TV and Video Rating) The film is filmed in colour (Technicolor) with the technical elements of the sound created by Mono a Western Electric Sound System. The film uses the Binary Opposition in the film to show the difference of the two main characters, the characters also relate to the 8 Propp theory for instance Holly would be seen as the Princess and Jos would be seen as the False Hero. The audience will use the Gratification Theory subconsciously to measure the appeal they have for this particular film, for example they will see how entertaining the narrative is and if there is any interesting twist in the film which will create the audience to want to watch more.

1970s
Grease was produced in 1978, it is an American musical film. The film is directed by Randal Kleiser, it was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures, which is a very famous film production company. The film was based on a musical named Grease about two high school lovers in the 50s written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The film stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, who play the main characters in the film Sandy Olsson (Olivia) and Danny Zuko (John). Grease was a successful film within the Box Office and the audiences response. This Film is still popular to date and is watched by many over the world in the current century. The films Soundtrack album received the second best selling album of the year in the United States, this would have encouraged the popularity of the film itself. The sound mix was filmed with a DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby (35 mm prints) and was filmed with a 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints). The film Grease is number 1 Highest-grossing musical in the states. Running time of this film is 110 Minutes. The budget for Grease the film was $6Million, the Box Office price - $394,955,690. Cinematography was by Bill Butler and the editing was by John F. Burnett and Robert Pergament. The plot- Sandy and Danny met in the summer and fell deeply in love with one another. To both of their surprise they end up going to the same high school, however Danny is a typical leather wearing group leader of the T-Birds who has a reputation to maintain and feels as if he shows he is in love with Sandy this will change his image. Sandy meets a group of girls known as The Pink Ladies who she confides in with her issue with Danny. However the two are too hopelessly in love with one another to hide it, it is out in the open in which everybody accepts in the end. The film has a Non-linear narrative, due to the flash backs the characters have within the film. Certification- UK- A (original rating) and a UK- PG(re-rating). The characters in the film relate to the 8 Propp Theory for instance Sandy would be seen as the Princess because of the fact she is the reward that the hero gets. Danny would be seen as the Hero as he fulfills his love to Sandy at the beginning and end of the film.

1980s
The film The Blue Lagoon is an American Adventure based Romantic Comedy, directed and produced by Randal Kleiser (The same director who directed the extremely successful film Grease in the 70s-the slide previously). The film was based on the novel; The Blue Lagoon which was written by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. The Blue Lagoon stars main characters Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins. The film also features Leo McKern and William Daniels. The screenplay was by Douglas Day Stewart. the music was by Basil Poledouris. The Cinematography was by Nster Almendros and The editing was by Robert Gordon. The film was Distributed by Columbia Pictures, whos parent company is Sony Pictures Entertainment. It was filmed with the sound mix from Dolby and a 70 mm 6 Track (70mm Prints). The Running time for this film was only 104 Minutes, which is shorter than a lot of other films however not by a drastic amount. The budget for the making of this film was $4.5 Million, and the Box Office- $58,853,106 which was from the United States and Canada only. The Plot- The film was set In the Victorian period, two older children are shipwrecked on an island in the South Pacific. Both of the two children typically make a simple life together on this island where nobody is to be found, however as time goes on both figures are surprised to the fact that sexual occurrences will appear due to the growing up of the two and that both will stumble across these sexual attractions as time moves on. This film has a linear narrative theory due to the smooth running of the film. The Certification- UK-15.

1990s
Pretty Woman is a 1990 American Romantic Comedy set in Los Angeles. The film is directed by Garry Marshall and written by J.F. Lawton. Pretty Woman stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts who are the leading roles in this film, the film also features Ralph Bellamy, Hector Elizondo and Jason Alexander. Music was by James Newton Howard. The Editing was by Raja Gosnell and Priscilla Nedd. Cinematography was by Charles Minsky. The studio was Touchstone Pictures and the film was Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures. The films running time was 119 Minutes. The budget for this film was $14 Million and the Box Office got $463,407,268. The plot- a successful business man, Edward (Richard Gere), asks for a prostitute for one night, who ends up being a young lady named Vivian (Julia Roberts), after spending one night with Vivian, Edwards is surprised to have a different opinion on a particular woman of the night, and decides to spend the week with her. They both influence each other to change their ways, as Vivian has a chance to change her life and Edward begins to not take life for granted. The two fall in love and help change each others lives. The plot Narrative theory for this film is a Linear because of the step by step smooth running of the film. Certification- UK- 15. Sound Mix was created by Dolby and the Colour was created by Technicolor. The characters in the film can be related to the 8 Propp Characters theory, for example Edward would be seen as the Villain as well as the Hero because he sets out to do something bad, however ends up becoming more of a Hero as he helps change the life of Vivian. Vivian would also be seen as the Villain and the Hero because she was doing a bad thing at the start but became a Hero when helping Edward change his life around.

The film (500) Days of Summer is a 2009 American Romantic Comedy. (500) Days of Summer was written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. The film was Narrated by Richard McGonagle. The film starred the two main characters Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel who are well know actors from many other films. These two characters in the film would be seen as the False Hero and the Villain as well as the Princess when relating to the 8 Propp Characters theory. Summer would be seen as the Villain because of her false and misleading feelings towards Tom, however she can also be seen as the Princess as during parts of the film we get the impression that she does feel the same about Tom however acts as if she is a damsel in destress. Tom would be seen as the False Hero as he does everything to try and win over Summer however he is unsuitable for her. Unlike films from previous centuries, films in the 2000s began to experiment with different transitions within the film. For example (500) Days of Summer includes animation as a way to set out each chapter of the story, it helps show the audience what it happening in a more intriguing way. For instance in this film in particular, it revolves around the days of the two main characters spending time with each other starting from the day they met, it skips from being day 12 to being day 50 and back to day 13, to show the things that are about to happen within the film to keep the audience interested. This happens by using the animation and transitions to help set the story. The music which has become very popular within this film was by Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen. Cinematography was by Eric Steelberg. (500) Days of Summer was distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The running time of this film is 95 Minutes, which seems like quite a short film especially it being in 2009.

2000s

The budget for this film is $7.5 Million and the Box Office received $60,722,734.
The plot- it states clearly at the beginning that this is not a love story, Tom meets Summer at work, he falls deeply in love with her however she tells him she doesnt believe in love. They begin to start seeing each other outside of the work place and she acts as if she fancies Tom. However after leading him on for a very long period of time she tells him that she doesnt want him like that, they stop talking. After bumping into each other after a period of time she tells Tom that she is engaged, this breaks Toms heart as she told him there is no such thing as love. She then explains she just wasnt in love with him. Her Bitter character encouraged him to move on. After quitting his job he goes to an interview which is when he meets the new girl in his life. Her name coincidently is Autumn. The film is a Non-Linear Narrative, due to the flash forwards and backwards within time during the film.