The Philadelphia Story was released on this day, in 1941, and was Cary Grant's 38th full length film.
It was the last film of four in which he starred with Katharine Hepburn, and the film that won James Stewart the Oscar for Best Actor.
Summary:
Just as Philadelphia socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is about to remarry, her first husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) arrives at her house. He has with him a tabloid reporter and a photographer, Macaulay 'Mike" Connor (James Stewart) and Elizabeth Imbrie (Ruth Hussey), and he's clearly intent on causing mischief.
Tracy is surprised to learn that Mike is a serious writer who works for the tabloids only to earn a paycheck. They are clearly attracted to one another and the arrival of Tracy's ne'er-do-well father - and some rather stern comments on his part - leads to her to reevaluate her choices and what it is she wants for the future.
Cast:
Cary Grant ... C. K. Dexter Haven
Katharine Hepburn ... Tracy Lord
James Stewart ... Macaulay Connor
Ruth Hussey ... Elizabeth Imbrie
John Howard ... George Kittredge
Roland Young ... Uncle Willie
John Halliday ... Seth Lord
Mary Nash ... Margaret Lord
Virginia Weidler ... Dinah Lord
Henry Daniell ... Sidney Kidd
Lionel Pape ... Edward
Rex Evans ... Thomas
"Grant is perfectly gracious to a thankless part, winning sympathy and belief."
- Otis Ferguson, The New Republic.
"Perhaps the highest honors in the picture really go to James Stewart for his souse scene in Cary Grant's library (see picture below). Mr. Grant is good as always, and deserves credit for playing subdued."
- Don Herold, Scribner's Commentator.
Did You Know?
The film was shot in eight weeks, and required no retakes. During the scene where James Stewart hiccups when drunk, you can see Cary Grant looking down and grinning. Since the hiccup wasn't scripted, Grant was on the verge of breaking out laughing and had to compose himself quickly. Stewart (apparently spontaneously) thought of hiccuping in the drunk scene, without telling Grant. When he began hiccuping, Grant turned to Stewart, saying, "Excuse me." The scene required only one take.
Katharine Hepburn starred in the Broadway production of the play on which this film was based and owned the film rights to the material; they were purchased for her by billionaire Howard Hughes, then given to her as a gift.
Cary Grant only agreed to appear in the film as long as he got top billing. As Katharine Hepburn was dubbed "box office poison" at the time, this demand was readily agreed to.
In order to avoid competition with the stage play, MGM agreed not to put the film into general release until January 1941, although it was screened at selected theaters in December 1940.
The film was remade as the Cole Porter musical High Society (1956), starring Grace Kelly in Katharine Hepburn's role, Frank Sinatra in James Stewart's and Bing Crosby playing Dexter (Cary Grant).
Quotes:
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C. K. Dexter Haven: Sometimes, for your own sake, Red, I think you should've stuck to me longer.
Tracy Lord: I thought it was for life, but the nice judge gave me a full pardon.
C. K. Dexter Haven: Aaah, that's the old redhead. No bitterness, no recrimination, just a good swift left to the jaw.
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C. K. Dexter Haven: I'm sorry, but I thought I better hit you before he did. He's in better shape than I am.
Macaulay Connor: Well you'll do!
Lobby Cards:
(Japanese Poster)
Produced and Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Running time: 112 minutes.
With George Cukor, John Howard and Katharine Hepburn.
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