“The Philadelphia Story” is a top rate romantic comedy that also served as a vehicle for Katherine Hepburn to return to the top of the box office after several years of a career slump. The witty screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart, based on the 1939 play by Philip Barry, tells the story of a spoiled socialite whose wedding plans to her rich boyfriend (John Howard) are in jeopardy upon the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband (Cary Grant) and a newspaper reporter (James Stewart). She is attracted to all three!
George Cukor (“Camille” 1936) did an amazing job directing the big stars and large cast with a complex plot and keeping the whole production classy. Co-stars include Ruth Hussey, Roland Young, Henry Daniell, Mary Nash, Virginia Weidler, John Halliday, Lionel Pate, and Hilda Plowright as the librarian (uncredited).
“The Philadelphia Story” was a big hit at the box office for producer Joseph L. Mankewicz and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two: Best Actor (J. Stewart) and Best Screenplay (D. O. Stewart). The film was remade into a musical sixteen years later called “High Society” (also from Metro), featuring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
cinema
My Review
“The Philadelphia Story” is a top rate romantic comedy that also served as a vehicle for Katherine Hepburn to return to the top of the box office after several years of a career slump. The witty screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart, based on the 1939 play by Philip Barry, tells the story of a spoiled socialite whose wedding plans to her rich boyfriend (John Howard) are in jeopardy upon the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband (Cary Grant) and a newspaper reporter (James Stewart). She is attracted to all three!
George Cukor (“Camille” 1936) did an amazing job directing the big stars and large cast with a complex plot and keeping the whole production classy. Co-stars include Ruth Hussey, Roland Young, Henry Daniell, Mary Nash, Virginia Weidler, John Halliday, Lionel Pate, and Hilda Plowright as the librarian (uncredited).
“The Philadelphia Story” was a big hit at the box office for producer Joseph L. Mankewicz and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two: Best Actor (J. Stewart) and Best Screenplay (D. O. Stewart). The film was remade into a musical sixteen years later called “High Society” (also from Metro), featuring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly.