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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:8

Fresh:8

Rotten:0

Average Rating:7.9/10

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

Rated: U

Runtime: 2 hrs 56 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:27-11-1998

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]

Reviews for The Philadelphia Story

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1 - 7 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Romantic comedies are rarely this fabulous.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
04/23/09
Laura Bushell
Laura Bushell
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
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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
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Grant, Stewart, and Hepburn deliver impeccable performances.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
04/17/01
David Wood
David Wood
BBC
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Boasts qualities other movies merely dream of: prestige wit and drop dead glamour.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jake Hamilton
Jake Hamilton
Empire Magazine
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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
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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
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It has been a long time since Hollywood has spent itself so extravagantly, and to such entertaining effect, upon a straight upper-crust fable, an unblushing apologia for plutocracy.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Bosley Crowther
Bosley Crowther
New York Times
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1 - 7 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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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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