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Movies / On DVD / The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story

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The Philadelphia Story (1940)

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Reviews Counted:45

Fresh:45

Rotten:0

Average Rating:8.5/10

Consensus: Offering a wonderfully witty script, spotless direction from George Cukor, and typically excellent lead performances, The Philadelphia Story is an unqualified classic.

Runtime: 2 hrs 56 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY boasts an incredible cast, but it's Katharine Hepburn's picture in more ways than one. Tracy Lord (Hepburn), a Philadelphia heiress, is about to marry coal-company executive... THE PHILADELPHIA STORY boasts an incredible cast, but it's Katharine Hepburn's picture in more ways than one. Tracy Lord (Hepburn), a Philadelphia heiress, is about to marry coal-company executive George Kittridge (John Howard). The wedding, promising to be the season's premier event, attracts the attention of magazine publisher Sidney Kidd (Henry Daniell), who sees it as an opportunity to break a story. Spy magazine's Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), Lord's ex-husband, is enlisted to "gain access" to the party, along with top scandal writer Macauley Connor (James Stewart, in an Oscar-winning role). However, the reporter is quickly smitten by the bride's charms--and he's not the only one. The film, based on the play by Phillip Barry, was first a Broadway sensation starring Hepburn, who acquired the screen rights, claimed the starring role, and chose the director, screenwriter, and lead cast. In addition to fine work by Grant and Stewart, notable supporting performances are delivered by Ruth Hussey and Virginia Weidler. One of nine films Hepburn made with director George Cukor, it remains one of the classics of their collaboration and of American cinema. [More]

Starring: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey

Starring: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John Howard, Roland Young, John Halliday, Virginia Weidler, Henry Daniell, Lionel Pape, Rex Evans

Director: George Cukor

Director: George Cukor
Screenwriter: Donald Ogden Stewart
Composer: Franz Waxman
Producer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Story: Philip Barry

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Sep 30, 1997

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Philadelphia Story

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Romantic comedies are rarely this fabulous.

Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
04/23/09
Laura Bushell
Laura Bushell
Film4

In short, The Philadelphia Story lifts the daily drudge into a charming never-never land, with complete footnotes excusing its existence. And besides, it's a good, entertaining show.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
04/23/09
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Every time Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart connect in a scene, we hear the happy ding! of quality champagne crystal.

Full Review Source: Film.com | comment Comment
03/04/08
Mark Bourne
Mark Bourne
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With such a stellar cast, a fine director working in the type of picture he did best, and some genuinely witty dialogue, this film has all the ingredients for a great comedy.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/02/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The smarties are going to relish Philadelphia Story a lot more than the two-bit trade...

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/02/07
Herb Golden
Herb Golden
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

George Cukor gives it the royal treatment with a splendid supporting cast...

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
07/02/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Is The Philadelphia Story about cutting Katharine Hepburn down to size?

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
06/23/07
Jeremiah Kipp
Jeremiah Kipp
Slant Magazine

Approaching it as a fairytale with a moral--Hepburn meets her prince but gums it up and need to rediscover her own humanity-Cukor directs with stylish elegance that serves the play perfectly-one of his masterpieces and a sampler of Classic Hollywood Cinem

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
10/05/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

O charme do trio principal e a inteligência dos diálogos permitiram que o filme envelhecesse maravilhosamente bem.

comment Comment
05/08/06
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

Cukor and Donald Ogden Stewart's evergreen version of Philip Barry's romantic farce, centreing on a socialite wedding threatened by scandal, is a delight from start to finish, with everyone involved working on peak form.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

I don't think anyone really cares about the fact that this was intended to be a cunning class satire with a capital C, but it's got big stars, they say cool things, they look good, it's funny, and the right guy gets the right girl in amusing fashion.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Brad Laidman
Brad Laidman
Film Threat

Excellent casting, a great storyline and a shrp script mean that this remains a classic of the genre and one of Katherine Hepburn's best roles.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
06/15/05
Jake Hamilton
Jake Hamilton
Empire Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
06/03/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

[Relies] less on physical comedy and more on immaculately delivered zingers.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
03/18/05
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

Everyone and everything about the film is mostly perfect, and what the movie ultimately says about the nature of love is still prescient.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
03/06/05
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

This film is Hollywood at the top of its game.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
02/27/05
Matt Bailey
Matt Bailey
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

No review available.

comment Comment
01/14/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/04
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

Brilliantly entertaining.

comment Comment
06/05/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

No review available.

comment Comment
03/02/04
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca Murray
About.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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