The Philadelphia Story

1940 Comedy

Cast:

C.K Dexter Haven: Cary Grant

Tracy Lord: Katherine Hepburn

Macaulay (Mike) Connor: James Stewart

Elizabeth Imbrie: Ruth Hussey

George Kittredge: John Howard

Uncle Willie: Roland Young

Dinah Lord: Virginia Weidler

Rich Philadelpia socialite, Tracy Lord is getting married for the second time. Just before the wedding, her first husband (Grant) arrives with a reporter (Stewart) and photographer (Hussey) for Spy Magazine. The publisher for Spy Magazine is hell bent on getting an exclusive story on the wedding under threat of reporting an unsavory story about Tracy's father. Hilarity ensues.

This is an almost perfect movie, filled with romantic entanglements, misunderstandings and many drunken misadventures.

Ruth Hussey is a definite scene-stealer as photographer Elizabeth Imbrie with her sharp tongued sarcasm, as is Virgina Weidler who plays Tracy's young sister Dinah who seems to know everything about everyone and gleefully stirs up more chaos and mischief.

Tracy's mother is comically proper and Uncle Willy is an unapologetic lech.

George Kittredge (Howard) is almost beside the point as the groom, but his character is important in moving the plot forward.

Mike Connor (Stewart) is a serious writer working for Spy Magazine because he needs the money and is disdainful of the upper class. He is, as always, perfect in the role.

C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant) is a reformed alcoholic and stirs up so much trouble that it may be possible his motive is to win Tracy back.

The entire weekend ends up being a journey of self discovery for several characters, especially Tracy.

I find one particular scene between Tracy and her father a little offensive. He seems to be blaming her for his recent affair. But maybe the point is to cause an emotional reaction. You can judge for yourself.

There is a great scene between Dexter and an inebriated Mike Connor that is priceless!

I hope you enjoy The Philadelpia Story as much as I do!

Boffo Buff