Theodora Goes Wild (1936)

The Wild Side of Irene Dunne

Theodora Goes Wild is a seminal screwball comedy from the golden age of Hollywood that helped redefine Irene Dunne’s screen image. Known until then primarily for musical and dramatic roles, Dunne stunned audiences with her sparkling comedic talent, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. This film not only established her as a major player in the comedy genre, but also helped shape the screwball blueprint: madcap romance, mistaken identities, role reversals, and spirited female rebellion.

Plot Summary

Theodora Lynn (Irene Dunne) lives in the quiet, conservative town of Lynnfield, Connecticut, where she plays the role of a demure Sunday school teacher and devoted niece in her uptight household. But Theodora hides a secret—under the pseudonym Caroline Adams, she’s the author of a racy, best-selling novel that has scandalized her community.

When the Lynnfield Literary Circle attempts to censor her own book, Theodora maintains her façade—until a trip to New York City puts her in the path of Michael Grant (Melvyn Douglas), an urbane illustrator who becomes fascinated by her double life. As he prods her to embrace her rebellious side, Theodora returns the favour by dismantling his carefully maintained image as a respectable politician's son trapped in a loveless marriage.

What follows is a series of escalating comic complications, as Theodora gradually liberates herself from social expectations—and drags the unsuspecting Michael along with her.

Performance: Irene Dunne’s Revelatory Turn

Irene Dunne’s performance is the film’s greatest triumph. In a role that requires her to shift seamlessly from prim small-town spinster to a champagne-sipping urbanite with a glint of mischief, Dunne displays perfect timing, irony, and charisma. Her transformation is not only physical (shedding her hat and gloves for high-fashion gowns and cocktails), but psychological, making Theodora’s rebellion feel earned and joyful.

Melvyn Douglas, playing opposite her as Michael, provides a suave and smirking counterpart—an early example of the screwball male lead who underestimates the heroine and finds himself hilariously outwitted. Their chemistry is charged with wit and flirtation, and Douglas, with his expressive eyebrows and sardonic charm, plays the ideal foil.

Supporting roles by Thomas Mitchell and Spring Byington add warmth and comic texture, especially in scenes where the small-town aunts sputter in disbelief at Theodora’s antics.

Direction and Style

Directed by Richard Boleslawski, the film has an energy and pace that never lags. Though Boleslawski was better known for serious dramas (Les Misérables [1935]), he handles the screwball rhythm with surprising deftness. The film cleverly juxtaposes the quiet repression of Lynnfield with the chaotic liberation of New York, underlining the central theme of dual identities.

The script, written by Sidney Buchman (uncredited), is sharp, full of double entendres, social satire, and pointed jabs at hypocrisy. Theodora’s journey is a sly critique of small-town conservatism and the gender norms of the day.

The production design enhances this contrast—Theodora’s New York apartment is a glamorously modern space of self-expression, while Lynnfield’s porches and parlours seem increasingly claustrophobic as the story unfolds.

Themes and Analysis

Identity and Liberation

At its core, Theodora Goes Wild is a film about personal liberation—particularly a woman’s right to defy expectations. Theodora’s dual life as a secret author is a metaphor for the hidden lives many women led in the early 20th century. The film cleverly critiques the idea that women must choose between respectability and self-expression.

Gender Roles and Role Reversal

This is one of the early screwball comedies where gender roles are subverted. It is Theodora—not Michael—who takes the initiative, makes bold moves, and orchestrates most of the comedic chaos. Michael is often passive, bewildered, or following Theodora’s lead, a reversal of traditional romantic dynamics. This inversion is part of what makes the film feel ahead of its time.

The Power of Satire

While lighthearted in tone, the film is laced with satire about censorship, morality, and the small-town tendency to uphold appearances over authenticity. The Literary Circle’s pearl-clutching outrage over Theodora’s novel is as relevant today as it was then, skewering moral panic with a smirk.

Legacy and Influence

Theodora Goes Wild was a commercial and critical success. It marked a turning point in Irene Dunne’s career, leading to a string of hit comedies including The Awful Truth (1937) and My Favourite Wife (1940). It also helped solidify the screwball comedy as a genre, establishing tropes that would recur in dozens of films to follow.

While not as frequently cited as Bringing Up Baby or It Happened One Night, it remains one of the genre’s hidden gems—a smart, subversive, and joyful romp with real bite behind its laughter.

Conclusion: A Wild and Worthwhile Ride

Theodora Goes Wild is a delightful blend of romance, satire, and social commentary, elevated by Irene Dunne’s radiant performance. It’s a film that manages to be both a product of its time and a critique of it, wrapped in the fizzy charm of 1930s Hollywood.

For fans of classic cinema, strong female leads, or witty romantic comedies, Theodora Goes Wild is essential viewing.