Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Three legends in their prime
This is a delightful romantic comedy about the life and loves of a high society girl. Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is about to be married to George Kittredge (John Howard), a self made man who elevated himself from the lower class. The wedding is supposed to be a private affair, but Tracy's ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) blackmails her into letting two reporters, Macaulay Conner and Elizabeth Imbrie (James Stewart and Ruth Hussey) cover the event. What ensues is a screwball courtship for the heart of Tracy as everyone falls in love with her at once. Director David Cukor ("Little Women", "My Fair Lady") provides a fast paced comedy with rapid-fire repartee and fosters a bubbly chemistry between the cast members, which brims with laughs. Cukor received one of his five Oscar nominations for this film and it was well deserved. Katharine Hepburn is marvelous as the blueblood bride to be. She is a well-grounded girl who is not beyond putting on airs for show. She is simultaneously sassy and dreamy and her comic timing is superb earning her one of twelve nominations for best actress. Despite a star's billing, Cary Grant plays a supporting role as the sarcastic Dexter Haven. With his deadpan delivery, he provides the perfect foil to Hepburn and Stewart. Even with the luminous cast, Jimmy Stewart steals the show with a comedic tour de force. His inebriated scene with Cary Grant is uproariously funny and his puppy dog wooing of Katherine Hepburn is enchanting. It is hard to believe that James Stewart only won one Oscar in his outstanding career. Though nominated five times, the only role for which he won the statue is this one, a performance that is unquestionably among his best. This tremendous comedy brings together three screen legends at the peak of their careers. It was nominated for six Academy Awards winning two, and it was rated #51 on AFI's top 100 of the century. It is a timeless classic that is sure to please. I rated it a 10/10. See it and enjoy.
Rating: - The perfect romantic comedy and an absolute classic
The Philadelphia Story is an amazing film. It is based on the play by Phillip Barry and chronicles the last couple of days before Tracy Samantha Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is to be married. She had been previously married to C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) and he is forced into blackmailing Ms. Lord for the purpose of letting two reporters (Ruth Hussey in an excellent supporting role and James Stewart in a flawless, Academy Award winning performance) from the Tabloid "Spy Magazine" into the Lord home to cover the wedding. The reporters do not know that they have been found out for who they are and thus begins a marvelous game involving psychological and class warfare, romance, and even a little drunkedness. Incredible perfomances especially by Hepburn, Grant, and Stewart as well as a terrific screenplay and superb direction from George Cukor make The Philadelphia Story easily one of the best films in American History. If you are a fan of any of the three big stars in this film and have not bought this yet, I enthusiastically recommend that you do so today!
Rating: - a real classic
Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart star in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, one of the defining motion pictures of the golden era.Tracy Lord (Hepburn) is about to re-marry, but the reappearance of her ex (Grant) and the prowling reporters intent on digging up some juicy gossip (Stewart and Ruth Hussey), all add the turmoil to the proceedings. When a sloshed Tracy takes a swim with the equally-intoxicated reporter, it only serves to shake up the situation, while her ex keeps getting closer. After being labelled "box office poison" after a string of flops which included SYLVIA SCARLETT and CHRISTOPHER STRONG, she made her comeback in this film. After starring in the role on Broadway, she was given the film rights and made sure she was cast in the role when the time came for the movie. She wanted Spencer Tracy but instead was given Cary Grant, but she was delighted all the same. Also included is the original theatrical trailer and the documentary KATHARINE HEPBURN - ALL ABOUT ME, which was made in 1992, where she talks about her movies, Spencer Tracy and her family life. A great buy indeed.
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