The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Here is my first of five reviews for Alex Webster of Hollywoodland Reviews who helped me decide on what movie series to tackle after I finished reviewing all of the Oscar Best Picture winners (Oscar Acting Award Winners). – Thanks again Alex!

“You’ll never be a first class human being or a first class woman until you’ve learned to have some regard for human frailty.” C.K. Dexter Haven

Number of Times Seen – 1 (30 Mar 2014)

Brief Synopsis – A socialite is visited on the day before her wedding by her ex-husband and a reporter.

My Take on it – This movie was part of the fad in the late 30’s-early 40’s of crazy romantic comedies that involved interesting characters in strange situations.

This one has a wealthy socialite being visited by her ex-husband and a snoopy reporter who is trying to write the scoop of his life by exposing problems in high society.

The script is well written and works well.

The characters are also interesting and likeable.

The three main characters played by Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart have great chemistry together and there back and forth “banter seems quite genuine.

The only problem I had with this movie is the fact that it feels very dated and doesn’t work as well watching it now instead of back in 1940.

Stewart won an Oscar for Best Actor for this movie.  Many people believe that he was given it as compensation for losing it for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) the previous year.  Stewart always maintained that Henry Fonda should have won instead of him for his role in The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Bottom Line – Interesting rom-com from the 40’s, but very dated.  Great cast. Recommended!

Rating – Globe Worthy

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