The Philadelphia Story Synopsis: When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.
Directed by: George Cukor
Written by: Donald Ogden Stewart
Released: 12.26.1940
Runtime: 112 minutes
Rated: Not Rated
Two years after her divorce from yacht designer C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), wealthy socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is set to marry the equally wealthy George Kittredge (John Howard). The editor of Spy magazine wants to cover the wedding and uses Dexter as a means to get his reporter, Mike Connor, and photographer, Liz Imbrie, into the Lord’s mansion to do just that. While Dexter pretends Liz and Mike are old friends of Tracy’s brother, it doesn’t take long for Tracy to see through the charade. But she is forced to relent when Dexter informs her Spy magazine will publish an unflattering story of her father’s infidelity if she does not allow Mike and Liz access to the wedding.
The Philadelphia Story was nominated for six Academy Awards and won two (Best Actor for James Stewart, and Best Screenplay). It’s easy to see why it’s considered a classic. The Philadelphia Story has everything you would want in a romantic comedy—a marvelous, star-studded cast of performers, a cleverly written script, and immaculate direction. If you were to ask me, this film has no weak link and very little to criticize.
Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart are some of my favorite actors, and having them all on screen together was a real treat. It’s rare that in a romantic comedy love triangle, the heroine has equal chemistry with both suitors, but that’s definitely the case here. Tracy’s bitter yet passionate history with Dexter is sizzling as the two trade barbs and force each other to face their flaws and reasons for their marriage’s breakdown.
Meanwhile, Tracy can be a bit softer and more vulnerable with Mike, who initially turns his nose up at the elitist atmosphere but soon becomes enamored with Tracy as she defies the wealthy stereotypes he has always despised. And George, her fiance? Well, he’s really the only person she keeps the mask on for, attempting to be the perfect socialite wife when, in reality, she is anything but. While we know George is absolutely not The One for Tracy, it’s a toss-up as to who she will ultimately end up with, and frankly, I would have been happy had it been Mike or Dexter, which is great because either way, I would love the ending. And I did!
I am focusing quite a bit on the romantic angle of The Philadelphia Story, but it’s also a genuinely funny movie. Hepburn has some amazing one-liners, but personally, I think it’s Stewart and Grant who give the best comedic performances here. They’re brilliant when on-screen with Hepburn, but together they’re incredible. Dexter and Mike are romantic rivals but ultimately form something of a bromance.
One of the movie’s funniest scenes is when a drunk Mike arrives at Dexter’s home in the middle of the night. While Stewart always believed his Best Actor award was compensation for not winning the year prior for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, I believe Mike Connor is one of his best performances. He should have won for his drunken scene with Cary Grant alone.
The Philadelphia Story is a must-see if you’re a romantic comedy fan. And if you are a film fan in general, The Philadelphia Story is also a must-see. It’s probably as close to a perfect romantic comedy as a film can get, and though released in 1940, it holds up extremely well even now.
Watched: 05.18.2024
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