The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

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.

Director:

William Keighley

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screen play), Philip G. Epstein (screen play)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley

1 nomination.

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

critic | doctor | screwball comedy | reference to errol flynn | reference to ethel barrymore | 

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Taglines:

Warner Bros. Happiest Hit. (Lobby cards).

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

24 January 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

El hombre que vino a cenar

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,050,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fredric March was considered for the role of Sheridan Whiteside. Charles Coburn was also considered but refused to make a screen test.

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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.

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Quotes

Sheridan Whiteside: I shall require the exclusive use of this room, as well as that drafty sewer you call the library. I want no one to come in or out while I am in this room.
Mrs. Ernest Stanley: But we have to go up those steps to get to our rooms, Mr. Whiteside.
Sheridan Whiteside: Isn't there a back entrance?
Mrs. Ernest Stanley: Well, Yes...
Sheridan Whiteside: Then use that. Let me see, there will be a great many incoming and outgoing calls, so please do not use the telephone.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Wabbit Who Came to Supper (1942)

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Soundtracks

Did You Ever Have the Feeling That You Wanted to Go?
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Jimmy Durante

User Reviews

Pretty funny

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a little uneven, but it's mostly entertaining. The unevenness comes mainly from the dullness of the budding relationship which the film holds in focus. The original play is very well written, especially the dialogue. It was actually performed at my high school when I was there. But its the cast here that excels. Monty Woolley is great in the titular role. He plays Sheridan Whiteside to absolute perfection. Bette Davis is quite good as his secretary, but the role is actually somewhat below her standards. I'm sure she took the role because she loved the play so much and was sure it'd be a hit, but that role is pretty dull. Ann Sheridan perhaps gives the film's most memorable performance as an egotistical Hollywood diva who's not sure whether she wants to marry British nobility for money or just chase around cute guys. Also noteworthy are Billie Burke as Mrs. Stanley, the Ohio society woman who invites Whiteside to dinner, Reginald Gardiner as an eloquent celebrity friend of Whiteside (far underused), and the incredibly insane Jimmy Durante as Banjo. He comes into the film very late, but he very nearly steals the show. 8/10.