Hands Across the Table (1935), strikes the perfect balance of screwball antics and romantic drama between Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray, the first of four pictures they made together. It was a hit that confirmed Carole Lombard’s stardom. This was the first project Ernst Lubitsch supervised in his role as head of production for Paramount Studio. Mitch Leisen directs a gem full of brilliant gags, sets, and costumes. I read a brief interview with Mitch Leisen and Fred MacMurray, included in David Chierichetti’s brilliant mix of biography, criticism, and interview, Mitchell Leisen: Hollywood Director.