The Philadelphia Story, is one of my favorite MGM comedies of the 40's. A dream cast consisting of Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey and more. Have to love the studio system back in the day where they could get the best of the best in every role be a star studded film.....gotta love a very smart, well acted, funny, and great actors to watch in there prime....comedy at it's finest!!!
Well, this is where Cinderella gets off, now you hurry back to the ball before you turn into a pumpkin and six white mice, goodbye.
Directed by: George Cukor Starring: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John Howard
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Running time: 112 minutes
My review:
The Philadelphia Story is without a doubt one of the most loved romantic comedies of all time. This is a perfect example of a film that involves a love triangle. Tracy Lord (Hepburn), eligible daughter of a well-off Philadelphian family due to marry an earnest nerdy type when her first husband returns to keep an eye on the charming male reporter assigned to cover the society wedding. They end up all keeping an eye on Tracy instead...who will she choose? James Stewart is absolutely fantastic in this film as Macaulay Connor. I think it is probably one of his best performances. I preferred him in films like Its A Wonderful Life and Rear Window. Actress legend Katherine Hepburn was outstanding in this film too but this is the first film that I have seen from her and she has impressed me so far. I like Cary Grant in this film as C.K. Dexter Haven. This is one of the earliest films with some of the greatest performances to ever grace the big screen. I thought the screenplay for this film was absolutely brilliant. It was also really well directed by George Cukor. Despite of how funny and how romantic this film actually is, it is quite a depressing dramatic film that takes twists that are really good. One of the best romantic comedies from the 1940s without a doubt.
Katharine Hepburn plays the role of a snotty socialite to perfection in this quirky film. I must admit though, I watched this movie merely for James Stewart's performance. He was brilliant in it!
''The time to make up your mind about people is never.''
When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.
Cary Grant: C.K. Dexter Haven
Katharine Hepburn: Tracy Lord
James Stewart: Macaulay Connor
Philadelphia Story is a hilarious comedy, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. With that cast, along with a great script and inspired direction, make this movie a treat to watch. The three stars are obviously the Story at work here, but minor characters also play an influential part. To the extent in which the older adult members of Hepburn's family have no clue as to what is transpiring, while the child clearly does, is most amusing. It ought to be said that Philadelphia Story is far from all that humourous. The sense of humour is more of the clever and fleeting kind of variation. Most of it arises either from Grant's splendid persona, with his wry, charismatic tones, or Hepburn's flighty, beguiling, enchanting mannerisms. I would say that Grant is to a degree under used in his role, as there are very large stretches of the picture where he is not on screen. Stewart is however excellent, playing a sensitive, artistic type who understandably is somewhat taken by Hepburn's Tracy Lord. All three stars are much in their element and they bask in it's glory, with accents as remembered by all, and a fitting social setting.
As has been said by some other film scribe, "a strong case is being made as to the sheer irresistibility of the film's female star". Katharine Hepburn is shown at her most statuesque and in a beautiful disposition. Her character has an impressive array of fine lines to deliver also, and is treated with dignity and understanding by the effective script. It is in some ways a voyage of self discovery for Hepburn's Miss Lord. Ranging from a rejection of her anointed goddess status, a rejection of marriage for mere hierarchical gain and a deeper understanding of the meaning of love.
The film's about-face ending is quite charming really, mixing the conservative with the progressive. Conservative in that marriage is seen to have to take place, and in the characters returning to earlier relationships. It could indeed be argued that not enough had been made of Stewart's relations with Ruth Hussey's character. Progressive it could be said, in that events have been very quickly turned upside down, and love over society is championed. Also, perhaps most tellingly, the drunken indiscretion of Hepburn is not just forgiven, but seen as part of her self-discovery. This film in its treatment of a liberated woman such as Hepburn, must be praised for its sensitivity and liberal understanding. All too often, Hollywood allowed the reactionary and the puritanically conservative to lazily dominate its films.
We are presented with an upper-middle class milieu, with contrasts provided by Grant's hard-bitten aristocratic dandy and John Howard's dullard "man of the people" politician. There is nothing staggering about the film's assertion that the upper classes can be perfectly charming and noble, whilst those of the lower classes, like Howard, can be lacking charm and appear materialistic. It seems merely to be making a point of its very balance, and is almost a fig leaf to those who would have expected a simplistic socialist line.
Need it be mentioned that Cukor's direction is excellent? Making an art form of the unobtrusive, he lets the camera just take in the performances and the script, without distraction. He captures Hepburn in a radiant and sensitive light that I suppose slightly overshadows the male leads. There are artistic shots at times, that evoke occasional counterpoint to the usual images of the starts. One lingering shot of the precocious child watching from out of her window the night's events, is a good example of this working to great effect. An effect of establishing a wider, but still near-motionless canvass to the story.
Philadelphia Story is cleverly and entertainingly written, and delightfully well acted by all involved. It's hard to imagine anyone finding it dull or beneath them, but apparently some people can find anything beneath them. Indeed their defeat. If you haven't seen this, please do. If you haven't seen it in a while, give it another viewing. You won't be disappointed. It's standards and assumptions are a bit dated, but the humour, wit, and heart are certainly not.
Just as good as it was when I was a child! It still fits well in contemporary society...great comedy is great comedy! A must see if you haven't and see again if you have!!! I had a blast watching it again...
Nobody who ever thought to date in mismatch should miss out on this classic Hepburn-Grant-couple movie. Together with James Stewart they draw the ups and downs in high society and low journalistic working class into a hilarious but sensitive, comedian but philosophical movie. Second-best Katharine Hepburn movie very close behind "Holiday".
this was a very good film. the writing was stellar, especially the very clever diologue, and the performances were charismatic and well done. the story reminded me somewhat of 'guess whos coming to dinner?', although i liked that film better, this one had a charm to it that few films achieve. i do feel that this film had two glaring mistakes, and i got a little bored by the story in the middle, but the end could not have been more perfect. great movie.
Tied with Rio Bravo as my favorite film of all time. This is possibly the most amazing cast ever assembled, and the script and direction are just as impressive.
I couldn't say which performance I liked best: Grant's, Stewart's or Hepburn's.. or simply all of them together.. She will always be the best actress that ever lived!
not what i would call uproariously funny, but it's still exceedingly clever. love Cary Grant, love Jimmy Stewart, and Hepburn adapts to her role flawlessly. the little sister was also quite enjoyable. like all the classic comedies, it has its elements of zaniness, charm, and moments of truth. memorable, but not as outstanding as I was hoping/expecting.
Very good movie!!! As usual, Cary Grant did a great job, and James Stewart is very sweet. They both did a great job. Oh! and Katharine Hepburn did a fabulous job!!!
officialy one of the best movies ever made. AWESOME cast, the story is clever, the dialogue is witty and sometimes touching. you root for the characters, and at the time, the movie was fairly revolutionary.
A very good romantic comedy. James Stewart proves to me exactly why he is one of my favorite actors once again and Grant and Hepburn are both great. The first half isn't as good as the superior second half and the ending is truly outstanding. Truly funny moments and a truly great cast make this one great rom-com.
Jimmy and Cary in one movie...so amazing. It's got a good plot and it kept me watching. Favorite scene is definitely when Conner is drunk and talking to Dexter...Jimmy plays a hilarious drunk :p! Definitely definitely watch this!!
Grant, Hepburn, and Stewart...how much better can it get! A very cute and romantic film. My favorite scene: anything between Hepburn and Stewart- he is such a darling!
MCT:October 12, 2008
MCT:September 16, 2008
MCT:September 5, 2008
MCT:July 20, 2008
