Review of The Philadelphia Story (1940) by George C — 23 May 2009

The Philadelphia Story is one of filmdom's most sophisticated romantic comedies. It involves wealthy socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn)who is soon to be married for the second time;.

C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), her first husband; and Mac Connor (James Stewart), the down-to-earth reporter who becomes smitten with Tracy....Tracy, C.K. and Mac all face a dilemma.

In addition to learning about life and love and themselves, they must decide whom they really love. So be ready for a number of surprises before the film is over....That Grant's C.K. is affable, stylish, and a bit conniving is proved during an interesting exchange between him and the two reporters, Mac and Liz Imrie (Ruth Hussey).

Liz was one of the reporters who, after C.K. and Tracy were married, dogged them on their honeymoon. She tells Mac that C.K. didn't smash her camera but instead threw it in the ocean, and later paid for it. "I got a nice letter of apology, too," she says. Mac says, somewhat sarcastically, "Always the gentlemen, huh?" C.K. replies, "Except on occasion."...Interesting,too, is that Hepburn originally wanted Clark Gable to play C.K. and Spencer Tracy for the reporter. After both actors declined, Director George Cukor suggested Grant for the C.K. part and MGM boss Louis B. Mayer suggested Stewart portray Mac....The film was a commercial and critical success. Stewart won 1940's Best Actor and the other Stewart, Donald Ogden, took home an Oscar for Best Screenplay. The film was also nominated for Best Picture of the year.