Watch Nothing Sacred

Nothing Sacred is a 1937 American Technicolor screwball comedy film directed by William A. Wellman, and starring Carole Lombard and Fredric March. The film is a satirical take on the media’s obsession with sensational stories and the public’s gullibility. The film is set in the small town of Warsaw, Vermont, and opens with a scene of a woman named Hazel Flagg (Lombard) getting the news that she is dying from radium poisoning and only has a few weeks left to live. However, in a twist of fate, Hazel is actually misdiagnosed and is not dying at all. Despite this revelation, she sees an opportunity to escape her dull small-town life and travels to New York City to enjoy some adventure before she “dies”.

In New York, Hazel is mistakenly hailed as a heroine and is welcomed with open arms by a group of reporters who want to use her story to boost their sales. They wine and dine her, take her to expensive shows and even arrange for a meeting with the President of the United States. Hazel soon finds herself at the center of a publicity circus and is paraded around like a political celebrity. However, she is constantly reminded of her supposed mortality, and as time goes on, she begins to feel guilty about deceiving everyone, especially her new-found love interest, the cynical journalist Wally Cook (March).

As the film progresses, the audience sees the town of Warsaw, Vermont portrayed as a dull, uneventful place, with Hazel’s condition as the only source of excitement. The film satirizes the media's tendency to seek out sensationalized stories and their willingness to fabricate news to achieve higher ratings. It also ridicules the public's desire for tragedy and spectacle, as Hazel’s condition becomes a national sensation and a major topic of discussion.

The film's humor is sharp and biting, with sarcastic comments and witty one-liners delivered by the characters throughout the movie. Lombard and March have excellent chemistry and deliver standout performances as Hazel and Wally respectively. Charles Winninger provides excellent comic relief as Hazel’s doctor and mentor, Doctor Enoch Downer, and his interactions with Lombard are particularly hilarious.

One of the notable aspects of the film is its use of Technicolor, which was a novelty at the time. Wellman and the cinematographer W. Howard Greene use Technicolor to enhance the film's satirical tone, highlighting the vividness and exaggeration of Hazel's new life in New York. The use of vibrant colors and bold hues amplifies the absurdity of the situation and adds a layer of irony to the film.

Overall, Nothing Sacred is an entertaining and edgy satire that pokes fun at the media, public opinion, and human nature. Its themes are still relevant today, making it a timeless classic in the genre of comedy. Carole Lombard’s performance as Hazel Flagg is a must-see, and her characterization of the protagonist is both hilarious and empathetic. The film’s use of Technicolor adds an additional dimension to the story, highlighting the contrasts between the dullness of life in Warsaw, Vermont, and the exuberance of Hazel’s new life in New York. Nothing Sacred is a delightful screwball comedy that is a must-watch for fans of the genre.