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The Philadelphia Story

The Philadelphia Story

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fantastic - A Must See!
Review: If you haven't already seen this movie, get it right away! The Philadelphia Story is an excellent and intelligent comedy full of witty dialogue and amusing situations. For some reason, movies like this one seem to be in short supply now. The quick, hilarious dialogue used so well in The Philadelphia Story has, for the most part, been replaced by special effects, violence, and obscene language.

Anyhow, as for the cast, it couldn't be any better. Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart - that says it all. Furthermore, they each give performances in TPS that could be considered among the best in their respective careers (which says a lot).

Cary Grant adds surprising depth to the role of C.K. Dexter Haven - his sly, funny glances and quick comebacks steal scene after scene! He is a talented comedian who made it look easy: but, as usual, he was ignored by the Academy Awards. Katherine
Hepburn also does a wonderful job. She, with her aristocratic voice and haughty, proud looks, is perfectly suited to the role of Tracy Lord. Last, but not least, Jimmy Stewart is very funny as the sarcastic reporter.

The DVD is great, but you don't need to get it for the special features. The movie itself is a must have!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Three legends in their prime
Review: This is a delightful romantic comedy about the life and loves of a high society girl. Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is about to be married to George Kittredge (John Howard), a self made man who elevated himself from the lower class. The wedding is supposed to be a private affair, but Tracy's ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) blackmails her into letting two reporters, Macaulay Conner and Elizabeth Imbrie (James Stewart and Ruth Hussey) cover the event. What ensues is a screwball courtship for the heart of Tracy as everyone falls in love with her at once.

Director David Cukor ("Little Women", "My Fair Lady") provides a fast paced comedy with rapid-fire repartee and fosters a bubbly chemistry between the cast members, which brims with laughs. Cukor received one of his five Oscar nominations for this film and it was well deserved.

Katharine Hepburn is marvelous as the blueblood bride to be. She is a well-grounded girl who is not beyond putting on airs for show. She is simultaneously sassy and dreamy and her comic timing is superb earning her one of twelve nominations for best actress. Despite a star's billing, Cary Grant plays a supporting role as the sarcastic Dexter Haven. With his deadpan delivery, he provides the perfect foil to Hepburn and Stewart.

Even with the luminous cast, Jimmy Stewart steals the show with a comedic tour de force. His inebriated scene with Cary Grant is uproariously funny and his puppy dog wooing of Katherine Hepburn is enchanting. It is hard to believe that James Stewart only won one Oscar in his outstanding career. Though nominated five times, the only role for which he won the statue is this one, a performance that is unquestionably among his best.

This tremendous comedy brings together three screen legends at the peak of their careers. It was nominated for six Academy Awards winning two, and it was rated #51 on AFI's top 100 of the century. It is a timeless classic that is sure to please. I rated it a 10/10. See it and enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Movie I can watch Over and Over!!!
Review: Of the romantic comedy, screwball comedy and regular vanilla comedy, this movie ranks Number 1 in all three categories. The movie has three of the greatest actors/actresses in the history of motion pictures and they play off each other perfectly in this movie. The screenplay utilizes the haughtiness of Katherine Hepburn spot on early in the movie then goes on to show her all too human side later in the film. Jimmy Stewart is well deserving of the awards and acclaim he earned for the role of wisecracking tabloid writer with a talent for more than just sensational stories. Cary Grant does what he always does, plays the perfect foil to the female lead and does it so smoothly. The rest of the characters are well cast, as well, from Uncle Willie to Seth Lord to the social climbing George Kitteridge to Dinah, the precocious younger sister. It's an outstanding clean comedy that everyone should see over and over to catch all the little nuances and humor. If I could only see one movie, this would be the ONE. I heartily and enthusiatically recommend this movie to all movie buffs.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Great, Clean Classic -- A Must See for Everyone
Review: In 1940, Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart joined together to make this absolytely fantastic romantic/comedy "The Philadelphia Story." It was one of the best movies made that year. And after a row of "flops," Katharine Hepburn made her comeback. The movie received many awards including best actress for Katharine Hepburn, best actor for Jimmy Stewart and best directed film for director George Cukor.

Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) and C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) have been married for two years. They break up in the second year. Tracy threw Dexter out because of an alcohol addiction. They spend a couple of years apart and then Tracy decides to re-marry yo George Kittredge (John Howard). When Dexter finds out about it, he is obveously not pleased. So he uses a black-mail article to scare Tracy. He hires writer Macauley (Mike) Connor (Jimmy Stewart) and photographer Elizabeth (Liz) Imbre (Ruth Hussey) from Spy, a gossip magazine. Tracy doesn't want them there--really no one does except Dexter; but Dexter does it so that Sidney Kidd (Henrey Halliday) will not "spill the beans" about Tracy's philandering father.

It is a wonder how C.K. Dexter Haven could have forseen Mike falling in love with Tracy and messing up the plans for the Kittredge-Lord marriage; but it worked. But the whole movie, it seems as if Tracy cannot make up her mind who she wants to marry as she bounces back and forth between the three men. It is a race that anyone, Mike, Dexter, or George, may win. (The movie doesn't tell you who wins the "race" until the very end so it leaves you with your eyes glued to the screen the whole time.)

"The Philadelphia Story" was written espicially for Katharine Hepburn. So it is no wonder why th part fits her so well. Adn she requested that Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable play Cary Grant ad Jimmy Stewart's part. But she got Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart (not bad). And then starred with Spencer Tracy in "The Womann of the Year"(1942), the first Hepburn-Tracy film which was also one of Katharine Hepburns biggest hits.

This movie is a comedy. But very different from Hepburn's previous movie with Cary Grant: "Bringing Up Bab" (1938). That one was definately a srewball comedy while "The Philadelphia Story" is more of a romantic/comedy. And it has tons of great lines like: "I'm just a photographer; I can't afford to hate anybody." It is one funny scene after another. One particular is when Jimmy Stewart plays a drunk scene. No one could do it better.

This movie is a wonderful movie that anyone can enjoy. It is more for older children and adults. But any movie with Katharine Hepburn is a classic. And with these three great stars, it going to make your evening so much more enjoyable. So make sure that you get a copy of "The Philadelphia Story" today. You will love it!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The perfect romantic comedy and an absolute classic
Review: The Philadelphia Story is an amazing film. It is based on the play by Phillip Barry and chronicles the last couple of days before Tracy Samantha Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is to be married. She had been previously married to C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) and he is forced into blackmailing Ms. Lord for the purpose of letting two reporters (Ruth Hussey in an excellent supporting role and James Stewart in a flawless, Academy Award winning performance) from the Tabloid "Spy Magazine" into the Lord home to cover the wedding. The reporters do not know that they have been found out for who they are and thus begins a marvelous game involving psychological and class warfare, romance, and even a little drunkedness. Incredible perfomances especially by Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart as well as a terrific screenplay and superb direction from George Cukor make The Philadelphia Story easily one of the best films in American History. If you are a fan of any of the three big stars in this film and have not bought this yet, I enthusiastically recommend that you do so today!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SIMPLY FABULOUS!
Review: The opening scene of "The Philadelphia Story" catches your attention right away: in a sequence with no dialogue, we watch a married couple (Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn) engaged in a feisty argument. Hepburn proceeds to throw Grant out of the house, snapping one of his golf clubs over her knee in the process. His response is to reach out his hand and and shove her face, knocking her to the ground. It's a priceless scene and is the perfect way to begin this wonderful film.

Socialite Tracy Lord (Hepburn) is planning to remarry, and she's desperately trying to keep the ceremony a secret from the press. Enter her ex-husband Dexter (Grant), who agrees to help a reporter (Jimmy Stewart) and his photographer sneak into the wedding for an unknown motive (which is eventually revealed). Once they arrive at the estate, Stewart's character begins to fall for Tracy, and she winds up with three men vying for her attention. Ultimately, Tracy has to make a choice between her fiancee, her ex-husband, and her new photographer friend. The ending is sweet and is probably what everyone who watches the film will want to see happen, but the script is written so well that it keeps you guessing until the very end.

The chemistry between Grant and Hepburn is amazing, and their scenes together are highly entertaining. Hepburn originated the role of Tracy Lord on Broadway, and Grant's sharp wit us an excellent match for Hepburn's brassy independence. It's too bad that they don't make great movies like this anymore.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Probably the best romantic comedy ever
Review: George Cukor's "Philadelphia Story" is the story of Tracy Lord, a spoilt, rich socialite marrying George Kittredge, the manager of their estate. It has a cast of Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katherine Hepburn. It was the best movie made of the 1940 with a lot of the supporting cast including Seth Lord, Uncle Willie (his brother), her sister do an outstanding job. As romantic comadies, this ranks in the top of the list.

Jimmy Stewart got his Best Actor Oscar, a richly deserved one, as he plays the part of a sarcastic reporter. The way he treats Tracy Lord, a combination of superciliousness and adulation is wonderful. So is the role of Cary Grant as C.K.Dexter Haven, who officially comes there to get revenge on his ex-wife, but is there actually due to blackmail. The interaction between him and Tracy Lord is fantastic, either they like each other, or they are at each other's throats. Katherine Hepburn plays her role as the haughty, socialite wonderfully and the way she changes her acting when she is sober to when she is drunk is well brought out. After a lot of flops, she finally had a success with this movie. The role was almost made for her.

The dialogue is hilarious and intelligent. It also mocks at some of the obvious ideas about the class system. George Cukor manages his cast very well right upto the end. This is a movie for all generations. I was disappointed that Cary Grant was not nominated for an Oscar for his role in this, it was very well done. The end of the movie is beautiful.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still hilarious
Review: Sometimes on cable you see sitcoms or movies from the 1980's and you think they are not funny and terribly outdated.
Not so with the Philadelphia story. It is a terrible funny romantic comedy with three superb actors: Catharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart.
It's about marriage and liking other people. It is very obvious that is is a play and it is also acted out like a play. It is considered one of the best movies ever and I have to agree it was one of the best I have seen lately.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SIMPLY FABULOUS!
Review: The opening scene of "The Philadelphia Story" catches your attention right away: in a sequence with no dialogue, we watch a married couple (Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn) engaged in a feisty argument. Hepburn proceeds to throw Grant out of the house, snapping one of his golf clubs over her knee in the process. His response is to reach out his hand and and shove her face, knocking her to the ground. It's a priceless scene and is the perfect way to begin this wonderful film.

Socialite Tracy Lord (Hepburn) is planning to remarry, and she's desperately trying to keep the ceremony a secret from the press. Enter her ex-husband Dexter (Grant), who agrees to help a reporter (Jimmy Stewart) and his photographer sneak into the wedding for an unknown motive (which is eventually revealed). Once they arrive at the estate, Stewart's character begins to fall for Tracy, and she winds up with three men vying for her attention. Ultimately, Tracy has to make a choice between her fiancee, her ex-husband, and her new photographer friend. The ending is sweet and is probably what everyone who watches the film will want to see happen, but the script is written so well that it keeps you guessing until the very end.

The chemistry between Grant and Hepburn is amazing, and their scenes together are highly entertaining. Hepburn originated the role of Tracy Lord on Broadway, and Grant's sharp wit us an excellent match for Hepburn's brassy independence. It's too bad that they don't make great movies like this anymore.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Funny and clean--how often does that happen?
Review: It seemed for a while like I was fated never to watch this DVD. I received it as a Christmas present and having heard from another classic movie buff that I just HAD to see it, I was quite eager. But one thing after another came up and I only just got to watch it last Sunday.

Well, I have to say this is one of my favorite movies of all time. Although I have never been a fan of Katharine Hepburn, I really liked her in this. She played the part of Tracy Lord, a wealthy young woman who is about to marry for the second time. However, her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) has other ideas. He sends in two reports from Spy Magazine (Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Hussey) to do a story on the wedding. Tracy's precocious young sister Dinah (Virginia Weidler) stands by, avid for scandal. ("Mother, maybe he's going to sock her again!")

This is a good, clean movie. This makes it possible for the whole family to watch it, although young children will probably not see the point and be bored. The only reason I left one star off was because there are virtually no special features on the DVD.

Once you see "The Philadelphia Story" I bet it will be on your list of favorite movies, too!


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