AFI (1998) • AFI-097
Bringing Up Baby
1938 • Howard Hawks
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ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
102 minutes
FAMOUS QUOTE
“I just went gay all of a sudden!”
Howard Hawks’s fast-paced screwball comedy pairs absent-minded paleontologist David Huxley with the unpredictable heiress Susan Vance. When Susan introduces David to a tame leopard named Baby, a series of increasingly absurd situations ensues. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn deliver energetic performances filled with witty banter and comedic timing. The film’s rapid dialogue and chaotic plot twists exemplify the screwball comedy style that flourished during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Although initially underappreciated, Bringing Up Baby later gained recognition as one of the funniest films ever produced and a classic example of romantic comedy.
Why it matters
- It endures because its core tensions (prison; donation; museum) still feel modern, and the emotional turns land hard.
- It’s a masterclass in Comedy, Romance storytelling—efficient scene work, memorable set-pieces, and choices that keep the tone confident.
- As a time-capsule and an influence engine, it’s a key snapshot of 1938—and you can feel its DNA in countless films that followed.
Watch for
- Recurring motifs and touchpoints (prison, donation, museum, zoo, paleontologist, leopard)—notice how they show up, evolve, or get subverted scene-to-scene.
- How information is revealed (or withheld): pay attention to what you learn first, and what you only understand in hindsight.
- Performance details in close-ups—pauses, glances, and timing often do more than the lines.
- Transitions and visual rhymes: watch how the film connects scenes through matching images, sound bridges, or repeated blocking.
Vibe
Screwball ComedyChaotic RomanceLeopard FarceHigh-Speed BanterMadcap EnergyOpposites CollideClassic HollywoodZany EscalationSophisticated NonsenseJoyful Disorder
AFI RANK
1998: #97
2007: #88
▲Moved up 9 spots