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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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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato

Laura Bushell

Romantic comedies are rarely this fabulous.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 12:37 PM

Channel 4 Film

tomato

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 12:36 PM

TIME Magazine

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Mark Bourne

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 04 2008 03:19 PM

Film.com

tomato
4/5

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: | comment Comment | Jul., 02 2007 04:01 PM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

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Herb Golden

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 02 2007 04:00 PM

Variety

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Dave Kehr

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 02 2007 03:57 PM

Chicago Reader

tomato
4/4

Jeremiah Kipp

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 23 2007 05:37 AM

Slant Magazine

tomato
A

Emanuel Levy

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: | comment Comment | Oct., 05 2006 01:10 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato
4/5

Pablo Villaca

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

comment Comment | May., 08 2006 07:27 PM

Cinema em Cena

tomato

Geoff Andrew

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:17 AM

Time Out

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3/5

Brad Laidman

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: | comment Comment | Dec., 06 2005 08:12 PM

Film Threat

tomato
4/5

Jake Hamilton

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 15 2005 03:15 AM

Empire Magazine

tomato
4/5

Thomas Delapa

No review available.

comment Comment | Jun., 03 2005 02:35 PM

Boulder Weekly

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4/4

Matt Brunson

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 18 2005 12:44 PM

Creative Loafing

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4.5/5

Christopher Null

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 06 2005 10:15 PM

Filmcritic.com

tomato

Matt Bailey

This film is Hollywood at the top of its game.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 27 2005 11:26 AM

Not Coming to a Theater Near You

tomato
5/5

Robin Clifford

No review available.

comment Comment | Jan., 14 2005 11:25 AM

Reeling Reviews

tomato
5/5

Andy Klein

No review available.

comment Comment | Jun., 19 2004 02:32 AM

Los Angeles CityBeat

tomato
5/5

Rich Cline

Brilliantly entertaining.

comment Comment | Jun., 05 2004 03:50 AM

Shadows on the Wall

tomato
4/5

Rebecca Murray

No review available.

comment Comment | Mar., 02 2004 11:49 AM

About.com

 
 
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Latest News for The Philadelphia Story

June 22, 2007: AFI Announces Top 100 Movies of All Time ... Again
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15 other lists every few years. And then last night they... More...

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