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Adam's Rib (1949)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
18 November 1949 (USA)
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Tagline:
It Will Tickle Your Funny Bone ! more
Plot:
Domestic and professional tensions mount when a husband and wife work as opposing lawyers in a case involving a woman who shot her husband. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Lawyer
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Prosecutor
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Marriage
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New York City
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Massage
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Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 1 win
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3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn Dies at 96
(From WENN. 30 June 2003)
Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn Dies at 96
(From IMDb News. 29 June 2003)
(From WENN. 30 June 2003)
Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn Dies at 96
(From IMDb News. 29 June 2003)
User Comments:
Classic 'Battle of the Sexes' is a Sheer Joy!
more (73 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Spencer Tracy | ... | Adam Bonner | |
| Katharine Hepburn | ... | Amanda Bonner | |
| Judy Holliday | ... | Doris Attinger | |
| Tom Ewell | ... | Warren Attinger | |
| David Wayne | ... | Kip Lurie | |
| Jean Hagen | ... | Beryl Caighn | |
| Hope Emerson | ... | Olympia La Pere | |
| Eve March | ... | Grace | |
| Clarence Kolb | ... | Judge Reiser | |
| Emerson Treacy | ... | Jules Frikke | |
| Polly Moran | ... | Mrs. McGrath | |
| Will Wright | ... | Judge Marcasson | |
| Elizabeth Flournoy | ... | Dr. Margaret Brodeigh |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Man and Wife (USA) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Portugal:M/12 |
Sweden:15 |
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) |
USA:Approved (certificate #14029) |
UK:U |
New Zealand:PG |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:G (alternate rating) |
Australia:PG
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In the memorable Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn massage scene, a radio plays Frank Sinatra singing Cole Porter's "Farewell, Amanda," a gift to Amanda Bonner (played by Hepburn) from her songwriter-neighbor, Kip Lurie (played by David Wayne) who, earlier in the picture, had crooned the ditty, accompanying himself on the Bonners' piano. While Adam Bonner (played by Tracy) is massaging his wife, he abruptly shuts off the radio. Sinatra is again heard when a record is accidentally started in a later scene. This prerecording of "Farewell, Amanda" is lost.
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Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Near the end of the first scene in Adam's office, the reflections of large rectangular set lights can be seen in the framed diplomas lining the office walls.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Simpsons: The War of the Simpsons (#2.20)" (1991)
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Soundtrack:
Farewell, Amanda
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (73 total)
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'Adam's Rib' is arguably the greatest Tracy-Hepburn film, and is certainly the most popular of their teamings. Brightly written (by the husband and wife team of Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin), it takes the premise of a wife (the sparkling Judy Holliday, in her film debut) on trial for shooting her unfaithful husband (Tom Ewell, establishing himself in the kind of role he'd reprise in The Seven-Year Itch), and turns it into a forum of the sexual values and standards of the 1940s, and a showcase for the fabulous Tracy and Hepburn, who were were never better than as the battling D.A. and defense attorney. In the courtroom and out, the love they share, and tweaking of each other's egos is a sheer joy to watch. That the story is also a knowing commentary about women's inequality under the law makes the film even more topical today, and doesn't reduce the film's enjoyment value at all. It is a VERY funny film, and can be enjoyed at MANY levels!
In addition to Holliday and Ewell, the supporting cast includes the terrific David Wayne as a smarmy songwriter-neighbor who covets Hepburn, and 'writes' the ditty 'Goodbye, Amanda' for her (actually composed by Cole Porter, Hepburn's character's name in the film was changed to Amanda, to fit the song!)
Among the many wonderful scenes of the film are the 'home movie', which accurately reflected much of Tracy and Hepburn's own relationship; the infamous massage scene ("I know a slap...!"); the circus 'Strong Woman', demonstrating that women can be as physically powerful as men by lifting the panicking Tracy over her head easily (in the middle of the courtroom!); the infamous licorice-gun confrontation as Tracy confronts Hepburn with Wayne; and Tracy's crying-on-demand revelation.
'Adam's Rib' is a film which never seems to age, but just gets better and better!