The Philadelphia Story
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Movie Reviews of The Philadelphia Story
Movie Review: A classic of a classic - unsurpassed with great lines and acting
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a big Katharine Hepburn fan. The actor I most watched happened to be Cary Grant. I also saw quite a number of George Cukor films(Dinner at Eight, David Copperfield, Little Women). And this is the best film made by any of them. It was not just Miss Hepburn, but the concerted effort of the whole cast and crew that made this B&W classic so dazzling.
The whole play is closely knitted and fast paced (sometimes the dialogues were so fast that it took a second time to watch the movie before I could truly appreciate the story). From the two reporters (James Stewart and Ruth Hussey) to the whole Tracy's family (younger sister Dina, father and mother, Uncle Willie), their performances were most credible and delightful. Even though the whole play revolved around Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), each of the remaining cast was given an intriguing personality. Dina (Virginia Weidler) was the smart and critical teenager who balleted, singed and played the piano - an act of mockery for the inquisitive reporters. Liz (Ruth Hussey) was the photography reporter who chose not to disclose his love of Mike (James Stewart). Both reporters were honourable and would not blackmail the Lord's family for an exclusive coverage of Tracy's marriage. I remembered when I first watched it on a 20" TV, I was already captured by the grand mansion the Lord's family lived in and the atmosphere of the high class the film successfully created around the Lord's family. Miss Hepburn also put on 5 elegant sets of costumes within the first 15 minutes!
It is also interesting to note that though "High Society" , a remake of Philadelphia Story made 16 years later, was very successful with the unforgettable song "True Love" sung by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly on the movie, Philadelphia Story still stood the test of the time and remained a classic unsurpassed.
As for Miss Hepburn, Philadelphia Story was her vehicle and she deservedly re-established her fame and success through her unparalleled portrayal of Miss Tracy Lord. Katharine Hepburn was Tracy Lord - a role specially created for her on Broadway and she subsequently owned the movie rights, with the role of Dextor (Joseph Cotton on Broadway version) assumed by Cary Grant. Whether you are a fan of Katharine Hepburn, this is a classic of a classic you should not miss!
Movie Review: PERFECT COMEDY - AND (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) WITH A MESSAGE!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you think The Philadelphia Story is just a wonderfully sophisticated, perfectly written, perfectly performed comedy about an aloof and spoiled society girl (Hepburn), her likeable but alcoholic ex-husband (Grant), her newly acquainted admirer (Stewart), her philandering father and overly proper mother, her man-of-the-people fiance, and a host of other wonderful characters - you're mistaken. There's a message here, and it's just as wonderful as the writing, directing and acting.
Tracy Lord (Hepburn) believes that Truth is everything, and she has sacrificed her marriage to C. K. Dexter Haven (Grant) to prove it. Various characters in the film compare her to a cold and unfeeling statue or a lofty goddess in a hilltop shrine. Her father, on the other hand, believes that Grace is everything, and proves it by having a notorious affair with a New York dancer. This difference causes the primary conflict in the film, and its need to be resolved is what gives the film its delightful situations.
Enter C. K. Dexter Haven on the eve of his ex-wife's marriage, with writer Macauley Connor (Stewart) and photographer Elizabeth Imbrie (Hussey) in tow. They've been sent there - blackmailed, really - by Spy Magazine editor Sidney Kidd (Daniell) to cover the event, and thereby keep him from printing a story on Tracy's father. Over the course of the weekend, Dexter adds the wise-cracks and insights that help Tracy figure out who she is and what she wants, and Macauley adds the catalyst to help her figure out who she isn't and what she doesn't want.
Everyone sparkles in this film and every line is the epitome of wit and innuendo. Besides the three stars, standouts are Roland Young as Uncle Willie and Virginia Weidler as Tracy's younger sister, Dinah. In the end, Tracy finds the balance between Grace and Truth, her father is accepted back into the family (though he doesn't seem especially remorseful), Tracy accepts her ex-husband C. K. back, and Macauley and Miss Imbrie end up with whom they should - each other. All the way around, it's a fun, happy, witty film with a good message about balancing the seeming opposites of Grace and Truth.
Waitsel Smith
Movie Review: A black-and-white favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
This was and continues to be my favorite ever black-and-white film. Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Catharine Hepburn on the same screen together is an event not to be missed by ANYONE, I don't care if you usually don't like black-and-white flicks. It's hysterical. It does have some rather unpleasant undertones as to the proper conduct of women, but if you do your best to overlook that rather outdated view, the film itself - unendingly witty script, sumptuous set, and of course stellar acting - is well worth owning.Movie Review: "Oh, C. K. Dexter Haaaa-ven!"
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to overpraise THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940), the film version of a successful Broadway play by "society" playwright Phillip Barry. Everything about this movie is top-notch: the suavely witty jazz score, the book, the lavish interiors of Philadelphia "Main Line" mansions (truly the MGM "high gloss" touch at its finest), and especially the winning performances by Katharine Hepburn as slightly spoiled socialite Tracy Lord, Cary Grant as her ex, C.K. Dexter Haven, and especially Jimmy Stewart as Macauley ("Mike") O'Connor, yellow journalist for the tittle-tattle SPY magazine assigned to get the goods on the Philadelphia rich. And he does get the goods--and they almost get him, in a film that manages to be verbally witty, supremely funny situationally, yet upfront about American class divides in the prewar era. In fact, Jimmy Stewart's role was Oscar-winning, as the Academy was impressed by the depth and nuance he gave to his chip-on-the-shoulder journalist, following the idealistic title role of MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON the year before.
In classic screwball fashion, Tracy Lord (Hepburn) is scheduled to marry a self-made man who worships his maker, until neighbor and ex C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant) and interloping journalist Macauley ("Mike") Connor (Stewart) try to save her from her insane idealism by romancing her themselves! In a classic drunk scene, not politically correct today but funny nonetheless, Stewart serenades (perhaps "bellows" would be a better word) to the tune of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" the nearly comatose Tracy Lord after a night--and most of predawn morning--of champagne overconsumption. Then he goes looking for his presumed rival, the rich boy next door, "C.K. Dexter Haaaven!"
Really, there is nothing to fault in this highly polished jewel that shows MGM at its very best at the very height of the so-called "studio era." The supporting cast is equally solid and enjoyable and includes Ruth Hussey as Mrs. Embry, Connor's photog assistant, and the irrepressable pre-adolescent Virginia Weidler as Tracy's little sister Dinah, the resident smartass who says what others are thinking.
Is it worth the extra nine bucks for the two-disc edition? In my opinion yes, as it includes an hour-long documentary about celebrated Director George Cukor (whose other credits include THE WOMEN and A STAR IS BORN). Katharine Hepburn is on hand, too, in a self-produced 1993 autobio she called "All About Me."
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a "class act" in every sense of the word. Any home that wants to include Hollywood's best on its shelves should buy and enjoy this outstanding DVD.
Movie Review: It's "Yar"
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this movie now atleast four times and I still love it! Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant team up again to play the leading roles in this movie. Also James Stewart joins them to make this movie bursting with stars. These actors can never let you down and certainly won't in this movie! Although there is abundant comedy added in are the somewhat dramatic relationship between Hepburn and Grant which is best portrayed in the swimming pool/yar scene. Also Hepburn and Stewarts' characters have a bit of a romantic fling. Rounding out the cast are Ruth Hussey and John Howard who both have comedic timing as well. I don't know how this movie could get any better, it's simply "yar".