On This Day... The Philadelphia Story (1941)

Released today back in 1941, The Philadelphia Story was Cary Grant's 38th full length feature film.

Summary:

After getting a divorce from C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), Philadelphia heiress, Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), prepares to marry George Kittredge (John Howard). 

Days before her wedding, however, Haven and reporter, Macaulay Connor (James Stewart), show up at her doorstep. From there, Tracy is forced to choose among her past love, her present love, and her new love.

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

Did You Know?

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.  His salary, $137,000, a huge amount at the time, he donated in its entirety to the British War Relief Fund.

Cary Grant was given the choice of which of the two male lead roles he wanted to play.

During the conversation between Mike and Dexter at Dexter's mansion, Mike hiccuped and Dexter said, "Excuse me." This was ad-libbed by Cary Grant, and caused James Stewart to reply, "Huh?" and smile. Grant then turned his head to stifle his laughter and said, "Nothing."

Quotes:

George Kittredge: But a man expects his wife to...

Tracy Lord: Behave herself. Naturally.

C. K. Dexter Haven: To behave herself naturally.

[George gives him a look]

C. K. Dexter Haven: Sorry.

Tracy Lord: Dexter, say something.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, I...

Tracy Lord: Oh, Dexter, I'm such an unholy mess of a girl.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, that's no good. That's not even conversation.

Tracy Lord: You seem quite contemptuous of me all of a sudden.

C. K. Dexter Haven: No Red, not of you, never of you.

Elizabeth Imbrie: We've come for the body of Macaulay Connor.

C. K. Dexter Haven: I'm so glad you came. Can you use a typewriter?

Elizabeth Imbrie: No, thanks, I've got one at home.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Of course, Mr. Connor, she's a girl who is generous to a fault.

Tracy Lord: To a fault.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Except to other people's faults.

Margaret Lord: The course of true love...

Macaulay Connor: ...gathers no moss.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed by George Cukor.

Produced and Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Running time: 112 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.