Where O Where Has My Screwball Gone?

Classic Screwball comedy is a film genre that lasted a relatively short time, from 1934 and 1944. Why has there never been a revival? There are several genres that have petered out over the years and then have reappeared years later in new reincarnations with the word “neo” pasted on. Why hasn’t screwball had the same treatment? A lone film once in a while is made in tribute to screwball or a film review mentions that the film has screwballish tendencies but no true revival. What is so special about this genre that it’s formula cannot be reproduced? Or has it channeled into something else or several something elses. Have the “fast-talking dames” gone to network television? Has the goofy physical comedy aspects carved out there own genre? Trying to answer these queries will also entail looking at the genre generally and further exploring what makes it work and what does not. Why are there various gradations in the qualities of certain films? Some are enduring classics others simply do not work as comedies. Join me on my search to find out if there has been a revival of Screwball Film at any point in time or if there is no such thing as a modern day Screwball Comedy.