Desk Set (1957)

Two extremely strong personalities clash over the computerization of a TV network's research department.

Director:

Walter Lang

Writers:

Phoebe Ephron (screenplay), Henry Ephron (screenplay),

Stars:

Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Gig Young

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Spencer Tracy	...	Richard Sumner
Katharine Hepburn	...	Bunny Watson
Gig Young	...	Mike Cutler
Joan Blondell	...	Peg Costello
Dina Merrill	...	Sylvia Blair
Sue Randall	...	Ruthie Saylor
Neva Patterson	...	Miss Warriner
Harry Ellerbe	...	Smithers
Nicholas Joy	...	Mr. Azae
Diane Jergens	...	Alice
Merry Anders	...	Cathy
Ida Moore	...	Old Lady
Rachel Stephens	...	Receptionist

Storyline

The mysterious man hanging about at the research department of a big TV network proves to be engineer Richard Sumner, who's been ordered to keep his real purpose secret: computerizing the office. Department head Bunny Watson, who knows everything, needs no computer to unmask Richard. The resulting battle of wits and witty dialogue pits Bunny's fear of losing her job against her dawning attraction to Richard.

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Plot Keywords:

research | office | computer | drinking | romantic misunderstanding | 

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Taglines:

Make the office a wonderful place to love in!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cosas de mujeres

Filming Locations:

Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Improvised Scene: Sumner is leaving Bunny's apartment, shortly after Mike leaves and Peg arrives, when Bunny and Sumner are recapping the afternoon's events for Peg. Tracy goes "offstage" and returns with his hat pulled down over his ears, his shirt dangling out of his pants, staggering as though drunk and talking crazy. This moment, including the women's hysterical laughter and Hepburn's literally falling out of her chair, is not in the script.

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Goofs

During the X-mas party scene in the reference room, Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hepburn are sitting upstairs between the shelves of books. She is holding a paper cup of champagne in her right hand. Her right thumb is above the half way point on the cup, then suddenly, the same thumb is much closer to the bottom of the cup.

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Quotes

Richard Sumner: I'll bet you write beautiful letters.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: "The filmmakers gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the International Business Machines Corporation."

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Connections

References King Solomon's Mines (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Something's Gotta Give"
Written by Johnny Mercer

User Reviews

Office Politics - Then, Now and Forever

Although "computer" dated, this film is the most accurate depiction of office politics I have ever seen.

Having worked in several well-supervised office departments, the environment that a truly gifted supervisor (Hepburn's character) can create is there for all to see. The upper management attitude of keeping workers in the dark as to developmental plans for the company/department and the havoc that philosophy can wreak on morale and gossip was very satisfying and enjoying to watch. (If only management could learn from this lesson.)

Although the stereotypical "office gossip" is almost too delightfully portrayed, the "cliques" and flow of gossip is so true to today's office environment that someone just entering the work force could view this film as an education.

Of course, Tracy and Hepburn, along with a wonderful supporting cast, make this a very entertaining viewing experience.