The Awful Truth

The Awful Truth (known in Spanish as Terrible Truth, and La Puritan Rogue) is a 1937 American film directed by Leo McCarey, based on Arthur Richman's play of the same name. It won an Academy Award for Best Director, and was nominated for five others.

In 1996, The Awful Truth was deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Plot

Jerry (Cary Grant) and Lucy Warriner (Irene Dunne) are about to get divorced and are fighting for custody of their dog, Mr. Smith. Before the divorce becomes official, Jerry decides to get back together with Lucy, only to find out that she is going to marry a man who has become rich thanks to oil. Jerry strikes back by announcing his engagement to the aristocratic Barbara Vance (Molly Lamont).

It should be noted that in a scene in this film, the character of Dixie Bell Lee (Joyce Compton) is singing in a night club on a small platform, and at one point several gusts of air lift her skirt, which It probably inspired the filmmakers of Temptation Lives Upstairs (1955) to film the mythical scene in which Marilyn Monroe stands on the subway ventilation grill and the wind lifts her skirt Dixie-like fashion.

Cast

• Irene Dunne - Lucy Warriner
• Cary Grant - Jerry Warriner
• Ralph Bellamy - Dan Leeson
• Alexander D'Arcy - Armand Duvalle
• Cecil Cunningham - Aunt Patsy
• Molly Lamont - Barbara Vance
• Esther Dale - like Mrs. Leeson
• Joyce Compton - Dixie Belle Lee
• Robert Allen - Frank Randall
• Robert Warwick as Mr. Vance
• Mary Forbes as Mrs. Vance
• Skippy - Mr. Smith, the dog (without crediting)