The Philadelphia Story (1940)

I thought this was a great film; it’s definitely one of those classic Hollywood films that define and make you respect films made prior to CGI crazy effects and too much press hoopla surround the film (no research done here).

I loved this film for the crazy love triangle that goes on, and I especially love this film because Cary Grant is the leading man; he’s only ever more dashing the more films I watch in which he stars (and don’t you worry I have half a dozen other Grant films on request at the library, *wink).

I can see this film almost as a sequel to “Bringing up Baby” which I reviewed a few weeks ago. The film starts off with Katherine Hepburn kicking Cary Grant out of the house for whatever reason, she seems upset with him. Then two years later she’s set to be hitched to another fine lad (of course not as fine as Cary), and the film revolves around a sweet plot he cooks up to win her back (you can probably anticipate how it will end).

What was cool about this film was that Jimmy Stewart was also there!! Crazy, eh! Crazy ol Jimmy was doing his signature routine, looking confused and raising his eyebrows, getting his bumbling-self into compromising situations and running casual amuck to people around him.

Katherine didn’t irritate me in this film, which was a relief; I also reconsidered watching this film after being so annoyed by her in Bringing up Baby. Her character was rich because she was able to show a range in her scenes. In one scene she plays a conniving socialite who plays mind games with unknowing reporters, in a few she is being told by other characters that she is a cold un-giving woman who will never love anyone, then in one show stopping scene she’s a drunken lush who befriends one of the reporters and goes gallivanting during all hours of the night before she is to be hitched to her second husband.

George Cukor directed this picture and it has now come to by attention that he has many other films that I also hold in high regard. His filmography includes “Gone with the Wind”, “My Fair Lady”, and “Holiday” and there are many more noteworthy films.

This is definitely a film worth checking out; Hollywood films haven’t got much better than this!