The Philadelphia Story (1940)
If you liked the pratfalls and the comic rapport Cary Grant shared with Katharine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby, you’ll love The Philadelphia Story. The opening scene is a classic, showing the debilitation of their marriage, as Kate throws his golf clubs out of the house, and Cary responds by pushing her face-first down to the ground. Written out, it sounds like an abusive drama, but when you see the clip, you recognize it as one of the iconic moments of screwball comedies. Unfortunately for me, I don’t really like that genre, so I didn’t like either Bringing Up Baby or The Philadelphia Story.
In the movie, Katharine Hepburn is a society dame who’s engaged to John Howard. When the newspaper reporter, James Stewart, who’s hired to write a piece on the upcoming wedding in the society column falls in love with her, she finds herself in a triangle. Add in ex-hubby Cary Grant to the mix—because he isn’t quite ready to let her go—and she’s got three men to choose from! I won’t spoil anything, but the main reason I didn’t like this film—and the remake High Society—is because I couldn’t stand the ending. Sometimes you can look past it if the ending isn’t spectacular, but in this case, it’s a pretty big deal. Also, since I don’t like the usual elements of a screwball comedy, I didn’t appreciate the kooky characters and silly gags.
James Stewart won his one and only Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, and as much as I love him—I really do—it was a ridiculous award. Not only did he win for Best Actor when his character was a supporting one, but it was a throwaway part. Jimmy is a wonderful, talented, heartwarming actor, but in this film, his most memorable scene is when he gets drunk and says, “hearth-fires and holocausts”. If you’re looking for great acting, wait until Christmas or rent Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Katharine Hepburn movies here!
More James Stewart movies here!
In the movie, Katharine Hepburn is a society dame who’s engaged to John Howard. When the newspaper reporter, James Stewart, who’s hired to write a piece on the upcoming wedding in the society column falls in love with her, she finds herself in a triangle. Add in ex-hubby Cary Grant to the mix—because he isn’t quite ready to let her go—and she’s got three men to choose from! I won’t spoil anything, but the main reason I didn’t like this film—and the remake High Society—is because I couldn’t stand the ending. Sometimes you can look past it if the ending isn’t spectacular, but in this case, it’s a pretty big deal. Also, since I don’t like the usual elements of a screwball comedy, I didn’t appreciate the kooky characters and silly gags.
James Stewart won his one and only Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, and as much as I love him—I really do—it was a ridiculous award. Not only did he win for Best Actor when his character was a supporting one, but it was a throwaway part. Jimmy is a wonderful, talented, heartwarming actor, but in this film, his most memorable scene is when he gets drunk and says, “hearth-fires and holocausts”. If you’re looking for great acting, wait until Christmas or rent Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Katharine Hepburn movies here!
More James Stewart movies here!