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.
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Title: The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bette Davis | ... | Maggie Cutler | |
| Ann Sheridan | ... | Lorraine Sheldon | |
| Monty Woolley | ... | Sheridan Whiteside | |
| Richard Travis | ... | Bert Jefferson | |
| Jimmy Durante | ... | Banjo | |
| Billie Burke | ... | Mrs. Ernest W. Stanley aka Daisy | |
| Reginald Gardiner | ... | Beverly Carlton | |
| Elisabeth Fraser | ... | June Stanley | |
| Grant Mitchell | ... | Mr. Ernest W. Stanley | |
| George Barbier | ... | Dr. Bradley | |
| Mary Wickes | ... | Miss Preen | |
| Russell Arms | ... | Richard Stanley | |
 |
Ruth Vivian | ... | Harriet Stanley |
|
|
Edwin Stanley | ... | John |
|
|
Betty Roadman | ... | Sarah |
Learn more
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Lecturer Sheridan Whiteside slips on the ice on his way into the home of a prominent Ohio family. The local doctor says Whiteside must remain confined having broken his leg. He begins to meddle with the lives of everyone in the household and, once his plots are underway, learns there is nothing wrong with his leg. He bribes the doctor and resumes control of the household. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Taglines:
Nothing could be funnier! (Posters). See more »Parents Guide:
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(1818) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Xaver Gruber
Lyrics by Joseph Mohr
Sung by a boys' choir
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Monty Woolley, who had created the role of Sheridan Whiteside on stage, was not familiar to 1942 movie audiences, despite a score of supporting appearances over the course of the past five years. With Bette Davis and Ann Sheridan on hand to provide box office clout, Hal B. Wallis ultimately signed Woolley to reprise his triumphant stage portrayal, despite Jack L. Warner's concern that the actor's flamboyance would be overt on screen. In the end, although he was undoubtedly the star of the film, Woolley received third billing following Davis and Sheridan. See more »Goofs
After Banjo hands Whiteside 'Lana Turner's sweater' ( in a package ), in the next instant, after the cut, nothing is in Whiteside's hands. See more »Quotes
Mrs. Ernest Stanley: Mrs. Roosevelt, there's something I want you to know. My husband didn't vote for your husband. But I did.See more »
Soundtracks
Silent Night, Holy Night(1818) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Xaver Gruber
Lyrics by Joseph Mohr
Sung by a boys' choir
See more »
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
24 January 1942 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Man Who Came to Dinner See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USAEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,050,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1Contribute to This Page
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Never having seen IT'S LOVE I'M AFTER, this is, in my opinion, the best straight comedy Bette Davis was ever in - even though her character - that of secretary Maggie Cutler - is decidedly a secondary role. Originally, John Barrymore was to have played Sheridan Whiteside, but he was too ill, so he was ultimately replaced by the excellent - and infitinely more suitable - Monty Woolley. Ann Sheridan is a bit much as the egocentric actress friend of Sheridan's but Davis, at her the peak of her classy and noble period, compliments Woolley with her come-backs and reactions: she's a marvel. Billie Burke's role of the hostess was originally intended for Laura Hope Crews; both she and Barrymore died the year this film was made, in 1942. The chemistry between Mary Wickes and Woolley is hilarious and Richard Travis provides a love interest for Whiteside's long-suffering secretary, Ms Cutler.