Filmography

Although most of George S. Kaufman's comedies were turned into movies (always without his participation or supervision), he did write the screenplays to two classic comedies, as well as directing an underappreciated political comedy starring William Powell.

ROMAN SCANDALS (1933)

Eddie Cantor plays a meek museum janitor in upstate New York who is transported back to the heady days of Ancient Rome. Kaufman and Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright Robert E. Sherwood collaborated on the story, filmed by Samuel Goldwyn productions.

Available on VHS: MGM (2000).

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1935)

Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, who collaborated on the Marx Brothers first two films, wrote what is generally regarded as their finest film. As The New Yorker put it, "The Marx Brothers do to "Il Trovatore" what should be done to "Il Trovatore."" Include the "sanity clause" contract scene, and the stateroom scene.

Available on Warner Home Video DVD (2004).

THE SENATOR WAS INDISCREET (1947)

Although MGM producer Irving Thalberg had offered Kaufman a directing contract in the 1930s, it was not until 1947 that Kaufman directed his first picture, scripted by Charles MacArthur and Nunnally Johnson. William Powell plays a powerful senator running for president who gets caught in a compromising position.

Out of print on VHS.

Selected film and television versions of George S. Kaufman plays: