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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: [after Tracy has declined his last-minute marriage proposal] But they're in there! They're waiting!
Elizabeth (Liz) Imbrie: Don't get too conventional all at once, will you? There'll be a reaction.
Sidney Kidd: I understand we understand each other.
Tracy Lord: [normal voice] Hello, Dexter.
[lower voice]
Tracy Lord: Hello, George.
[high childish voice]
Tracy Lord: Hello, Mike.
Tracy Lord: I can't make you out at all now.
Macaulay Connor: I thought I was easy.
Tracy Lord: So did I. But you're not. You talk so big and tough and then you write like this. Which is which?
Macaulay Connor: Both. I guess.
Tracy Lord: No. No, I believe you put the toughness down to save your skin.
Macaulay Connor: You think so?
Tracy Lord: Yes. I know a little about that.
Macaulay Connor: You do?
Tracy Lord: Quite a lot.
Macaulay Connor: The prettiest sight in this fine pretty world is the privileged class enjoying its privileges.
See More Quotes from The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story Facts
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onJuly 20, 1942 with Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey and Virginia Weidler reprising their film roles.
Katharine Hepburn asked MGM to cast Clark Gable as Dexter and Spencer Tracy as Mike before she met either of them. Both Gable and Tracy were busy with other projects, so Cary Grant and James Stewart were cast instead.
Some think, with director George Cukor on board, Katharine Hepburn's first choice of co-star, Clark Gable, was never going to be a possibility because Gable allegedly had Cukor fired from directing Gone with the Wind because Gable allegedly detested the director's obvious homosexuality. In reality, Cukor was dismissed from _Gone with the Wind (1939)_ because of repetitive clashes with producer David O. Selznick and Gable was simply busy with other projects at the time the The Philadelphia Story was being made.
Spencer Tracy turned down James Stewart's role in The Philadelphia Story because he was eager to make Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Although George Cukor was not usually a very physical director, Katharine Hepburn incorporated some of his mannerisms into her performance.
See More Facts about The Philadelphia Story >>