1940 Directed by George Cukor
Philadelphia heiress Tracy Lord throws out her playboy husband C.K. Dexter Haven shortly after their marriage. Two years later, Tracy is about to marry respectable George Kittredge whilst Dexter has been working for "Spy" magazine. Dexter arrives at the Lord mansion the day before the wedding with journalist Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie, determined to spoil things.
Cary Grant Katharine Hepburn James Stewart Ruth Hussey John Howard Roland Young John Halliday Mary Nash Virginia Weidler Henry Daniell Lionel Pape Rex Evans King Baggot Hillary Brooke Veda Buckland Lita Chevret Russ Clark David Clyde Robert De Bruce Dorothy Fay Claude King Eric Mayne Florine McKinney Lee Phelps Hilda Plowright Helene Reynolds Mildred Shay Joseph Sweeney
Here's an offer you can't resist: a romantic comedy starring Katherine Hepburn as a strong-willed heiress named Tracy Lords who must choose between three men: her prim and proper fiancé, George Kittridge, her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), and a wry, sarcastic journalist, Mike Conner (James Stewart). Of course George is almost immediately out of the question, and Hepburn must choose between Grant and Stewart. She isn't gonna get a bad deal either way, that's for sure.
But at the outset, none of the men really love her for who she is. Dexter left her because he thought her frigid and unforgiving of faults; George loves her precisely because she's cold and far-off, like a statue, or a goddess;…
While not as frantic as Bringing Up Baby, Howard Hawks pairing of Grant and Hepburn, The Philadelphia story certainly has a giddy–up pace, and is even more voluminous in the infectious charm department.
There is a confluence of stars at the top of their game, an incredible script adaptation, and a sharp as nails director who understood the material that formed a perfect storm of romantic comedy. I’ve read every scene was a single take, and the shooting schedule was a scant six weeks.
Of course, Katherine Hepburn knew the role inside out, as she had played it on Broadway, and her Tracy Lords is the backbone of the picture. Flawed, yet strong .. confident, yet vulnerable, she choreographs the…
i don't know how or why, but i feel like all the characters' problems would be solved if cary grant, katharine hepburn, and james stewart had a threesome..... just a thought
I watched this today for the second time with my mother, and found myself going huh? far too many times for my liking, because I remembered absolutely loving The Philadelphia Story the first time around. I still do have some qualms with the idea that Tracy is to blame for taking a stand against her ex-husband's alcoholism and her father's extramarital affair, but perhaps that's exactly the point... forgiveness as an essential virtue of the true woman and all that sort of stuff? But I feel like such a conclusion doesn't really do a film so witty and brilliant proper justice.
The three leads (and Ruth Hussey) are stunning in every way. I could watch them spar back and forth…
"The time to make up your mind about people is never." - Tracy Lord
There is something comfortable about well written and star studded romantic comedies of old. Peak form from the cast and lets face it Katherine Hepburn is just mesmerizing, playing a strong, smart and sassy woman.
Letterboxd Season Challenge 2018-19
Week 13: December 2nd-8th
Katharine Hepburn Week
"The time to make your mind up about people---is never."
Jimmy Stewart drunkenly yelling at a ringing telephone not to interrupt him is the peak of classic Hollywood cinema.
Just effortlessly witty and jam packed with the kind of banter and dialogue you truly just don't see anymore, I don't think you possibly even could. And when you have Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart reciting that dialogue you know the results will be brilliant.
Absolutely charming.
Tracy: I-I don't want to be worshiped. I want to be loved!
George: Well, you're that too, Tracy. Oh, you're that all right.
Tracy: I mean really loved.
George: But that goes without saying, Tracy.
Tracy: No. No, now it's you who doesn't see what I mean.
Reviewed for The Letterboxd Season Challenge 2018-2019
Week 13: Katharine Hepburn Week
A surprisingly hilarious romantic comedy that seems to be generally by the numbers during the first half, and comes undone (in a good way) by the end of the second.
A film known for launching Katherine Hepburn into stardom, I actually feel like Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Hassey actually out shined her in this. Though she was great as well, there was something about the way she carried the weight of her doubt in herself that didn't resonate with me.
Starting with the party all the way to the ending is when this film is at its best, and a very funny and witty screenplay to boot. Timeless in the way it depicts marriage and engagement that still applies to today and is as relevant as ever.
Amidst the dated and weird gender politics, it's still deliriously charming; a rousing romantic comedy that made me smile more than I expected. If only Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart could've made out a little
The story is a bit frantically paced, but the stars are so darn likable that it is worth the watch.
jimmy stewart and katharine hepburn have more chemistry than anyone i've ever seen and it's a crime that tracy married c.k. dexter haven instead of mike and that's THAT.
also it gave me the phrase "holy mackerel, what goes on here?" and i'm forever grateful for it.
Peter Stanley 1,210 films
All the films from all the editions, including those subsequently removed, presently totalling 1210. An easy way of seeing how…
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miriam hopkins stars in like, 3 of these
