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It’s two days before you’re supposed to get married. Your ex-spouse shows up and brought along two reporters from a notorious spy magazine. You can’t believe that such lengths have been taken to expose you like this, but your ex soon tells you that a deal was struck with the magazine publisher, and it was to either publish a story on your father’s infidelity or to create a story on your upper-class wedding. You feel you have no choice but to accept your fate, and put on a great show for the reporters. You reveal your true self rather quickly to one reporter and feel that the two of you are beginning to fall in love. The night before your wedding, you both get terribly drunk and make fools of yourselves in front of your ex and your soon-to-be spouse. Your ex attempts to save your reputation, and you feel yourself beginning to fall back in love again! On the day of your wedding you have a huge decision to make, will you proceed with your fiance or will you go back to your ex, or maybe even the reporter?
The Philadelphia Story is a romantic comedy directed by George Cukor. It stars three of the biggest names of Hollywood, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. The 1940 film presents a hilarious outlook on the upper-classes of America, and the troubles everyone faces with love. The story is focused around Hepburn’s character Tracy Lord and her cold, stone-like heart. All the men in her life are forced to realise this about her and to understand that she is not like other women. They all want to admire her, worship her even, but all she wants is love. She is soon faced with the fact that you must give love in order to receive it the way she wishes.
Cary Grant is very well-known for his role as C.K. Dexter Haven in The Philadelphia Story and is well-loved for it. His character is full of charm, just like the actor himself, and wishes to regain his stuck-up, snobbish ex-wife. Grant provides the charisma and comedy that the film needs to give it to succeed. His character is rather quiet, unassuming, and classy, but that doesn’t stop C.K. Dexter Haven from being the loudest voice and most influential character. It would be no surprise to any Cary Grant fan that his part in the film is nothing short of fantastic.
Katharine Hepburn plays her role of Tracy Lord to perfection. Her well-known tomboyish personality is just what her character needs. Hepburn’s performance of the bronze statue of Tracy Lord is phenomenal and leaves nothing to be desired. The outspoken, cold, powerful character she portrays feels almost natural, however by the end, her heart is softened. The feisty, red-haired Tracy Lord could be played by no one else but Hepburn, as her messy romances matched those of the actress’s quite well.
As always, James Stewart plays the very lovable role of reporter Macaulay Conner. His energetic, almost childlike sense of humor and charm are brought to life on the screen in The Philadelphia Story. He brings his down-to-earth characteristics and applies them to that of Conner. The reporter is not looking for any kind of glamorous job or illustrious lifestyle, and neither was Stewart, making him absolutely perfect for the role.
The Philadelphia Story is a classic of the golden age of Hollywood. It includes comedy, romance, scandal, and warmth, all in one. It’s something that almost anyone could enjoy, and find to be remarkable. There is no doubt it will carry on as one of the most legendary films to come out of the 20th Century.
If you’ve seen this movie, leave a comment below telling me how you enjoyed it! Further, if you’ve seen High Society as well, let me know which one you liked better! As for me, I will always be partial to Grant and Stewart.
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