She Said…
By Sara Pintilie/entertainment editor
The sweet and comedic classic, The Philadelphia Story, is one of the best romantic comedies of all time and a gorgeous showcase of a few of Tinseltown’s heavyweights.
The suave Cary Grant, the charismatic Jimmy Stewart and the impeccable Katharine Hepburn put on their witty hats in this film.
The story centers around socialite Tracy Lord (Hepburn), her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant) and tabloid reporter Macaulay Connor (Stewart).
Lord, the day before she is married, gets visited by her ex and the reporters looking for a story.
Hijinks ensue as she tries to fend off the visitors, but she finds herself unsure whom she is really in love with after a lavish party.
This black-and-white gem speaks volumes on romance better than any romantic comedy, especially the romantic comedies from recent years.
The romance is subtle, but it flourishes in the intricate characters.
The main trio, Grant, Hepburn and Stewart, bring this movie to life with many things always going on and a sense of confusion hanging over the Lord home.
The three colorfully pop out of the storyline, and the audience almost forgets about the rest of the wedding guests.
The one exception is the kid sister, Dinah (Virginia Weidler). She holds her own against the trio of fantastic actors.
She is absolutely hilarious as she struts into the south parlor at the beginning at the film in ballerina shoes and a diamond necklace speaking French with an outrageous accent to Connor and his photographer/girlfriend Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey).
The scene between Grant’s Haven and Stewart’s drunk Connor is priceless. The hiccups, Stewart’s mannerisms and his snippet of a passionate speech while his grasp on the mantel as the only thing keeping him from falling, is completely endearing.
I am totally a sucker for Stewart. This is one of his best comedy roles, and he had an Oscar to show for it.
The film’s comedic flair is right on using wittiness and creative playfulness instead of relying on physical humor.
If only Hollywood could make romantic comedies now with the same grace and elegance as The Philadelphia Story.
Everything about this movie is fantastic. The only thing that would make this film better would be to liven up Lord’s fiancé, George Kittredge (John Howard). He is a little too wooden and gets lost in the shadows of the magnificent trio.
The Philadelphia Story is purely charming and a must see for anyone and everyone.
He Said…
By Mark Bauer/editor-in-chief
The romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story may lack the essential ingredients that usually attract male viewership, but when car chases, explosions and pure brawn are absent in a film—love is there to fill the void.
For those men incapable of admitting they really do enjoy watching chick-flicks with their dearest squeeze, the movie opens with C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) walking out on his still-considered-newlywed-wife, Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn).
Yea men!
While this flies in the face of modern-day feminism, the act of walking out on a woman is sure to put a curl on the lips of any man smug enough to dare defy a woman. It takes audacity—something men enjoy watching other men act out.
But what’s even more appealing than a man acting up? A woman with a resilient spirit. Two years after Dexter walks away from his marriage, Tracy has rebounded, what appears to be quite healthily and independently, and is ready to once again jump into holy matrimony with George Kittredge (John Howard).
Yea women!
Still, no romantic comedy is complete without a hitch put in the main characters’ giddy-up. Otherwise, the movie is a mere romance, and without the “comedy” attribution, no real man can justify watching it.
Enter ex-husband Dexter. He shows up with a news reporter, Macaulay Connor (Jimmy Stewart), who is fronting as a friend of Tracy’s brother. The reporter is hoping to get the inside scoop of a socialite wedding, and Dexter is looking to disrupt the wedding plans altogether.
As soon as the plan gets rolling, Tracy discovers the reporter’s true intentions and decides to play along. All the while, Macaulay thinks he is observing Tracy’s authentic behavior.
As they burn time leading up to the wedding, a strange love-triangle develops among Tracy, Dexter and Macaulay as the fiancée is put on the back burner.
Does Tracy really love George? Are suppressed feelings for Dexter resurfacing? Is Macaulay’s charm endearing enough to upset a plan of life-long-commitment?
The writing is clever. Maybe not laugh-out-loud witty, but a stifled chuckle or two is bound to make it out at some point … just blame it on a cough.
Ultimately, the movie is charming and engaging. But what happens in the end? The movie will have to be watched to find out.
But that’s something else men love. A cliffhanger.
