The Philadelphia Story

The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor and starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. Adapted from the successful Broadway play by Philip Barry, the film follows the socialite Tracy Lord on the eve of her second marriage as her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter arrive, complicating her life and forcing her to re-evaluate her character. Praised for its sophisticated dialogue and stellar performances, it was a major critical and commercial success, revitalizing Hepburn's career and winning two Academy Awards.

Plot

On the eve of her wedding to the nouveau riche George Kittredge, Philadelphia socialite Tracy Lord finds her plans disrupted by the arrival of her charismatic ex-husband, C. K. Dexter Haven, and two reporters from the gossip magazine *Spy*, Macaulay "Mike" Connor and Liz Imbrie. Dexter, who still has feelings for Tracy, orchestrates the reporters' presence to expose her fiancé's dullness and Tracy's own judgmental nature. Over a chaotic weekend at the Lord family estate, Mike falls for Tracy, leading to a drunken encounter the night before the wedding. The following day, a series of confrontations about morality, class, and forgiveness causes Tracy to call off her wedding to Kittredge, ultimately reconciling with the more compatible and understanding Dexter.

Cast

* Cary Grant as C. K. Dexter Haven, Tracy's charming and witty former husband. * Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Samantha Lord, the strong-willed and complex socialite bride. * James Stewart as Macaulay "Mike" Connor, the cynical but romantic reporter from New York City. * Ruth Hussey as Elizabeth "Liz" Imbrie, a photographer and Mike's colleague who is secretly in love with him. * John Howard as George Kittredge, Tracy's stiff and socially ambitious fiancé. * Roland Young as Uncle Willie, Tracy's mischievous and insightful uncle. * John Halliday as Seth Lord, Tracy's father, whose extramarital affair causes family tension. * Mary Nash as Margaret Lord, Tracy's dignified mother. * Virginia Weidler as Dinah Lord, Tracy's precocious younger sister.

Production

The film is an adaptation of Philip Barry's 1939 Broadway hit, which was written specifically for Katharine Hepburn after a period of career decline labeled "box office poison." Hepburn, who owned the film rights, shrewdly sold them to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on the condition she star in the film version. George Cukor, known as a "women's director," was hired to direct, with the screenplay adapted by Donald Ogden Stewart. Joseph L. Mankiewicz produced. Filming took place primarily at the MGM studios in Culver City. The score was composed by Franz Waxman, and the cinematography was handled by Joseph Ruttenberg.

Reception

Upon its release, the film was a major success. It earned over $3 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year and single-handedly reviving Hepburn's standing in Hollywood. At the 13th Academy Awards, James Stewart won the Academy Award for Best Actor and Donald Ogden Stewart won for Best Adapted Screenplay; the film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director for Cukor, and Best Actress for Hepburn. Critics from publications like *The New York Times* and *Variety* praised its sparkling dialogue, elegant direction, and the chemistry of its legendary cast.

Adaptations and legacy

The film was directly remade as the 1956 musical film *High Society*, starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra, with a score by Cole Porter. The original stage play continues to be revived frequently in theatres worldwide. The film is consistently ranked as one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made and is preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Its influence is seen in later sophisticated comedies of remarriage and its iconic status is cemented by the legendary performances of its three leads.

Category:1940 films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:Films directed by George Cukor