Four-Star Films : ‘The Awful Truth’

If “Bringing Up Baby” is the acme of screwball comedy, “The Awful Truth,” released in 1937, is not far behind. The subject is failed divorce, incompatibility that can’t stick. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne (pictured) play a breezy couple, cousins to Nick and Nora Charles. Ralph Bellamy is the amiable Southwestern schmo who comes between them. They all work together with wit and timing, a casual understated gaiety that seems irrecoverable. Directed by Leo McCarey, master of the apparently improvised (Disney early Friday at midnight).

Other four-star films airing this week include:

The 39 Steps (1935) / Bravo, Monday, midnight; Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.

Lenny / TNT, Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.

Dead of Night / Bravo, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Hail the Conquering Hero / Disney, Friday, 4:05 a.m.

From Here to Eternity (1953) / Showtime, Friday, 4:15 p.m.

Howards End / Disney, Saturday, 10 p.m.