Ball of Fire

Ball of Fire

“I LOVE HIM because he doesn't know how to kiss—THE JERK!”

Directed by Howard Hawks

Produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions

1941111 min7.4 / 10

A screwball romantic comedy that pairs sheltered academics with a worldly nightclub singer, built on witty banter, physical comedy, and genuine affection beneath the chaos.

A group of academics have spent years shut up in a house working on the definitive encyclopedia. When one of them discovers that his entry on slang is hopelessly outdated, he ventures into the wide world to learn about the evolving language. Here he meets Sugarpuss O’Shea, a nightclub singer, who’s on top of all the slang—and, it just so happens, needs a place to stay.

Questions people ask

  • Is Ball of Fire easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 95% of films.

  • Does Ball of Fire end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 92% of films.

  • Is Ball of Fire sad? Barely. Less sad than 89% of films.

  • Is Ball of Fire scary? Barely. Less frightening than 76% of films.

  • Is Ball of Fire violent? Not especially. Less violent than 62% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

Written about

64/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity30

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise85

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love85

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Ball of Fire, and what each one shares →

Like Ball of Fire

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Ball of Fire

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Ball of Fire, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Ball of Fire, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Ball of Fire, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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