The Philadelphia Story (1940)

My Review

“The Philadelphia Story” is a screwball romantic comedy about a spoiled socialite whose wedding plans are thrown into jeopardy upon the arrival of her ex-husband and a nosy investigative reporter. She falls in love with all three! Talk about problems, well directed by George Cukor (“David Copperfield” 1935) from a witty screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart. It was adapted from the 1939 play of the same name by Philip Barry.

At the head of the cast are Cary Grant as the ex-hubby, Katherine Hepburn as Tracy the socialite, and James Stewart as the reporter. Great job by all. Co-stars include John Howard, Ruth Hussey, Roland Young, Henry Daniell, Mary Nash, Virginia Weidler, John Halliday, and Hilda Plowright as the librarian. “The Philadelphia Story” was a massive hit at the box office for producer Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two – Best Actor (Stewart) and Best Screenplay. Non-winners were Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Hepburn), and Best Supporting Actress (Hussey). It was remade into a musical in 1956 called “High Society” starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.