Thanks, Academy!

Every once in a while, the Academy really gets it right. This Frank Capra movie is waaaay less famous than some of his other, schmaltzier efforts like It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Arsenic and Old Lace, but in my opinion it tops them all with a madcap style that will be recognizable to fans of Frasier as "screwball play gets adapted as blunt social commentary plus a little sex." What elevates this above the rest is the performance of -- not Jimmy Stewart or Lionel Barrymore, who are both great -- Jean Arthur in the lead female role, selling a strong, independent woman within the constructs of 1930s America, stronger indeed than most female leads in most 21st century romantic comedies. All this is to say, this is our first bona fide gush fest. Listen in with me and Ralph Hardesty, the co-founder of Greetings from Queer Mountain and my frequent collaborator on "let's break down this movie" shows. And watch this movie!