The scene description also offers imagematic actions that energize the lines and keep the business visible in the mind's eye. Just to take one example, as characters move from place to place they pussyfoot, scuttle, pile, hurry, sprint, balance precariously, drag, climb, hotfoot, usher and trundle, etc. It's a very active comedic narrative voice.

Yet, even in choreographed shots that involve many characters (such as in the massacre and pajama party scenes) the SD remains clear. When you watch the movie, the genius of the writers' careful attention to detail appears right there in front of your eyes.

I also enjoy Wilder-Diamond comedies for their banter and comedic observations.

Such as when the newly female boys get a "walk like a girl" lesson from MM as she rushes past:

Jerry: Will you look at that! Look how she moves! It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a whole different sex!

And when they deal with an unintended consequence of sexual role reversals:

Jerry: I'm engaged.
Joe: Congratulations. Who's the lucky girl?
Jerry: I am!

And when Sugar understates:

Sugar: Real diamonds! They must be worth their weight in gold!

Wilder and Diamond also are masters of set-up and pay-off. Here they do it well and often. Plus, I think their decision to let the reader/audience in on every fear of discovery and every planned deception actually doubles the fun of the movie. The "reader superior position" first allows us to anticipate every "bad" thing that's likely to happen, and then to share it from the boys' point of view when it does happen - with a twist. So that's a tool I tuck in my writer's bag of techniques for later use.

A great early choice for "40 Days..."

This was one of MM's best movies! ;) The script was a smooth and timeless read. The scene descriptions were very precise and presented almost a seamless transition.

It felt quite different from modern scripts as the scenes didn't flip at the same pace, instead we sat with the characters, the dialogue, and the story a bit longer and along the way we got to enjoy the multi-dimensional results.

The dialogue was very clever and the banter filled with humor. The sex switch idea was "wildly" entertaining, along with the ticking clock that encompassed everything from the mafia to marriage proposals. It was well before its time with racy innuendos. The ending blew me out of the water - it was perfect! I wonder Wilder cornered that one on the first swipe.

AND "jello on springs" - One of my fav quotes of all time! I agree - great choice for 40 days and nights ... :)