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IMDbPro

The Philadelphia Story

  • 19401940
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
69K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,745
2,653
Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Theatrical Trailer from MGM
Play trailer3:32
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance
When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
69K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,745
2,653
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Donald Ogden Stewart(screen play)
    • Philip Barry(based on the play by)
    • Waldo Salt(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Cary Grant
    • Katharine Hepburn
    • James Stewart
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • Donald Ogden Stewart(screen play)
    • Philip Barry(based on the play by)
    • Waldo Salt(contributing writer)
  • Stars
    • Cary Grant
    • Katharine Hepburn
    • James Stewart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 260User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Philadelphia Story
    Trailer 3:32
    The Philadelphia Story

    Photos143

    Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant and James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant, James Stewart, and Ruth Hussey in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Ruth Hussey in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, John Howard, and Ruth Hussey in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, and John Howard in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story (1940)
    722-1005 Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story" 1940 MGM MPTV
    12011-1 James Stewart, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn in "The Philadelphia Story" 1940 MGM
    722-1007 Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story" 1940 MGM

    Top cast

    Edit
    Cary Grant
    Cary Grant
    • C. K. Dexter Havenas C. K. Dexter Haven
    Katharine Hepburn
    Katharine Hepburn
    • Tracy Samantha Lordas Tracy Samantha Lord
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • Macaulay 'Mike' Connoras Macaulay 'Mike' Connor
    Ruth Hussey
    Ruth Hussey
    • Elizabeth 'Liz' Imbrieas Elizabeth 'Liz' Imbrie
    John Howard
    John Howard
    • George Kittredgeas George Kittredge
    Roland Young
    Roland Young
    • Uncle Willieas Uncle Willie
    John Halliday
    John Halliday
    • Seth Lordas Seth Lord
    Mary Nash
    Mary Nash
    • Margaret Lordas Margaret Lord
    Virginia Weidler
    Virginia Weidler
    • Dinah Lordas Dinah Lord
    Henry Daniell
    Henry Daniell
    • Sidney Kiddas Sidney Kidd
    Lionel Pape
    Lionel Pape
    • Edwardas Edward
    Rex Evans
    • Thomasas Thomas
    King Baggot
    King Baggot
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Hillary Brooke
    Hillary Brooke
    • Main Line Society Womanas Main Line Society Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Veda Buckland
    • Elsieas Elsie
    • (uncredited)
    Lita Chevret
    Lita Chevret
    • Manicuristas Manicurist
    • (uncredited)
    Russ Clark
    Russ Clark
    • John - Chauffeuras John - Chauffeur
    • (uncredited)
    Sally Cleaves
    • Party Guestas Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • Donald Ogden Stewart(screen play)
      • Philip Barry(based on the play by)
      • Waldo Salt(contributing writer) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was shot in eight weeks, and required no retakes. During the scene where James Stewart hiccups when drunk, you can see Cary Grant looking down and grinning. Since the hiccup wasn't scripted, Grant was on the verge of breaking out laughing and had to compose himself quickly. Stewart (apparently spontaneously) thought of hiccuping in the drunk scene, without telling Grant. When he began hiccuping, Grant turned to Stewart, saying, "Excuse me." The scene required only one take.
    • Goofs
      When Mike is outside the library, there are no columns outside, but when he enters, the shot from inside the library shows one.
    • Quotes

      Tracy Lord: The time to make up your mind about people is never.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Edited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Lydia, the Tattooed Lady
      (1939) (uncredited)

      Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

      Music by Harold Arlen

      Performed by Virginia Weidler (vocal and piano)

    User reviews260

    Review
    Top review
    Brilliant (if, yes, imperfect) comedy
    "The Philadelphia Story" is often cited as the apex of Hollywood sophistication, and with good reason. The script (mostly Philip Barry's Broadway original, with some reshaping and a couple of extra scenes by Donald Ogden Stewart) is wonderfully fast and literate, and the three stars exemplify what what has largely been lost: amazingly attractive actors whose eyes shine with wit and whose voices are more than up to the challenge of speaking brilliant, challenging words. Everything about this film -- the acting, the direction, the costumes, the production design -- has an otherworldly, almost radioactive glow.

    But -- and I'm afraid there is a 'but' -- something has always bothered me about this story. The basic premise is that Tracy Lord (Hepburn), débutante extraordinaire, possesses all things bright and beautiful but a warm and forgiving heart. This is demonstrated by her intolerance of her first husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), and even more by her inability to accept the transgressions of her 'womanizing' father. Will the goddess be brought down to earth, and how? If you've never seen the film, I don't want to give away the final resolution, but I suggest that you listen closely to the 'big' scene wherein Father upbraids Daughter, and try to imagine Bill Clinton having the same conversation with Chelsea. Fathers have a right to demand only so much of their children.

    Otherwise, 'Philadelphia Story' is a great film, and if you've never seen it, don't bother apologizing. Just get thee to a video store.
    helpful•7
    3
    • jayson-4
    • Dec 21, 1998

    FAQ6

    • In what year or era is this Movie set? Was it considered a modern movie in it's day?
    • Is 'The Philadelphia Story' based on a book?
    • What song was playing during the ball? It sounds like a Cole Porter tune.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 17, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Die Nacht vor der Hochzeit
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $944,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $404,524
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $258,994
      • Feb 18, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $411,663
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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