It's a Wonderful World

W. S. Van Dyke's 1939 film is a chase story in the tradition of fast-talking comedy. The private detective Guy Johnson's client has been framed for murder; while Guy hides him and tries to find the real killer both are caught and convicted. On the way to prison he notices a clue and escapes, and is forced to take the poet Edwina Corday hostage on the road, whereupon she quickly becomes a willing partner in the investigation. The film runs escape, romance and murder mystery together and takes its humour from two people managing each other. The rapport between Claudette Colbert and James Stewart is its body, and the story comes from an idea by Ben Hecht. It is short and fast. Who it's for: viewers who like classic Hollywood comedy. Who it's not for: anyone expecting a coherent crime plot; the film does not care about logic.