The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

William Keighley

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screenplay)
Philip G. Epstein (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 January 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

When acerbic critic Sheridan Whiteside slips on the front steps of a provincial Ohio businessman's home and breaks his hip, he and his entourage take over the house indefinitely.

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Critic | Lecturer | Newspaper | Local Newspaper

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Maggie Cutler
Ann Sheridan	...	Lorraine Sheldon
Monty Woolley	...	Sheridan Whiteside
Richard Travis	...	Bertram H. 'Bert' Jefferson
Jimmy Durante	...	Banjo
Billie Burke	...	Daisy Stanley
Reginald Gardiner	...	Beverly Carlton
Elisabeth Fraser	...	June Stanley
Grant Mitchell	...	Ernest W. Stanley
George Barbier	...	Dr. E. Bradley
Mary Wickes	...	Nurse Preen
Russell Arms	...	Richard Stanley
Ruth Vivian	...	Harriet Stanley
Edwin Stanley	...	John
Betty Roadman	...	Sarah

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | Australia:G

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

This was Laura Hope Crews's final film.

Quotes:

Sheridan Whiteside: This ageing debutante, Mr. Jefferson, I retain in my employ only because she is the sole support of her two-headed brother!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Empty Nest: The Woman Who Came to Dither (#7.5)" (1994)

A Christmas Classic with Wit!

This witty and wonderful Christmas classic has been neglected in recent years, but thanks to Turner Classic Movies it is once again being introduced to grateful audiences. Monty Woolley is fabulous as the brilliant writer and radio star, the curmudgeonly Sheridan (Sherry) Whiteside. Bette Davis is low key and perfect as his savvy personal secretary, Maggie Cutler, and Ann Sheridan is at her very, very best as the beautifully selfish and completely hilarious theatre star, Lorraine Sheldon. Reginald Gardiner,the fabulous English comedic actor and Jimmy Durante both sparkle in their brief but pivotal cameos. There are more classic one-liners in this script than you can count, but you'll enjoy trying!