Google Ads
Login | Sign Up

The Philadelphia Story Overview:

The Philadelphia Story (1940) was a Comedy - Black-and-white Film directed by George Cukor and produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

SYNOPSIS

Hepburn shines (the Stewart character describes her character as being "lit from within") as Tracy Lord, the role that probably continues to define our vision of her. And she took a strong hand in the production, bankrolling the play, in which she also starred, and hand-picking the director, screenwriter, and stars. This perennial favorite, a film version of Barry's smart play, depicts the topsy-turvy events around the impending wedding of a wealthy society girl who's torn between her millionaire fiancé (Howard), her dashing ex-husband (Grant), and a cynical, voice-of-the-people reporter (Stewart) turned loose among the Main Line set. Remade in musical form in 1956 as High Society with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Grace Kelly.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Philadelphia Story was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1995.

Academy Awards 1940 --- Ceremony Number 13 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorJames StewartWon
Best ActressKatharine HepburnNominated
Best Supporting ActressRuth HusseyNominated
Best DirectorGeorge CukorNominated
Best PictureMetro-Goldwyn-MayerNominated
Best WritingDonald Ogden StewartWon
See More Oscar Winners

The Philadelphia Story BlogHub Articles:

Introducing THE PHILADELPHIA STORY for Last Remaining Seats on June 10

on May 23, 2023 From GlamAmor

I'll be introducing The Philadelphia Story (1940) at the historic Los Angeles Theatre as part of Last Remaining Seats on June 10! It's a real honor to be invited by the Los Angeles Conservancy to be part of this beloved series. An additional honor is that they're allowing me to do my type of introdu... Read full article

The Philadelphia Story (1941)

By Cameron on Jan 29, 2018 From The Blonde At The Film

via: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/12778/The-Philadelphia-Story/#tcmarcp-142626  Unless otherwise noted, all images are my own. The Philadelphia Story (1941) is a charming comedy that holds a unique place in cinema history, mostly because of its notorious star. It was based on a 1939 play by Phili... Read full article

Field Trip: “The Philadelphia Story” at River East 21 February 18

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 20, 2018 From Classic Movie Man

Field Trip: “The Philadelphia Story” at River East 21 February 18 Treasure of the Sierra Madre on the big screenDate: February 18 at River East 21, 322 East Illinois · Chicago, IL Time: 2:00 p.m. TCM Big Screen Classics Presents: The Philadelphia Story Cary Grant, Kather... Read full article

Why I love The Philadelphia Story (1940)

By Carol Martinheira on Jan 17, 2018 From The Old Hollywood Garden

Why I love The Philadelphia Story (1940) On January 17, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized The privileged class enjoying its privileges, as Mike Connor (James Stewart in an Oscar-winning role) puts it. And why not? The Philadelphia Story is high society at its best. Or is i... Read full article

Win Tickets to see “TCM Big Screen Classics: The Philadelphia Story (Giveaway runs through Feb 3)

By Annmarie Gatti on Jan 5, 2018 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Win Tickets to see “The Philadelphia Story” on the Big Screen! In Select Cinemas Nationwide Sun Feb 18 and Wed Feb 21! “I don’t want to be worshipped. I want to be loved.” CMH continues into our 3rd year of our partnership with Fathom Events — with the 2nd of our 13 movie ticket g... Read full article

See More The Philadelphia Story Articles

The Philadelphia Story Quotes:

Macaulay Connor: I'm testing the air. I like it but it doesn't like me.
Macaulay Connor: I don't think you're being fair to me, Mr. Kidd.
Sidney Kidd: No?
Macaulay Connor: No. You're treating me like you treat all your other writers.
Macaulay Connor: [telling off Sidney Kidd, his boss] Quote: No hunter of buckshot in the rear is cagey, crafty Connor. Un-quote. Close paragraph.
Elizabeth (Liz) Imbrie: Close job. Close bank account.
Tracy Lord: You're too good for me, George. You're a hundred times too good. And I'd make you most unhappy, most. That is, I'd do my best to.
Tracy Lord: I'm going crazy. I'm standing here solidly on my own two hands and going crazy.
See More Quotes from The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story Facts
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. James Stewart thought of hiccuping in the drunk scene himself, without telling Cary Grant. When he began hiccuping, Grant turned to Stewart saying, "Excuse me." The scene required only one take.
In the party scene we can hear the famous main melody from a Hungarian movie, called Meseautó. (The title means "DreamCar") Franz Waxman probably watched that movie before he went to Hollywood in 1934, and accidentally wrote the same chords and theme for this song.
"Theater Guild on the Air" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 4, 1948 with James Stewart reprising his film role.
The original play featured a character named Sandy, who is Tracy's brother and the reason for Mike and Liz to come to the wedding. This character was deleted for the movie in order to beef up the character of Mike. There are several references in the film to a brother of Tracy's, but his name is Junius.
James Stewart never felt he deserved the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this film, especially since he had initially felt miscast. He always maintained that Henry Fonda should have won instead for The Grapes of Wrath, and that the award was probably "deferred payment for my work on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".
See More Facts about The Philadelphia Story >>