The Philadelphia Story Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, November 6, 2017

George Cukor completed thein 1940, approximately a year after Philip Barry's famous play had opened on Broadway. Katharine Hepburn, who also starred in the theater production, was reportedly given the rights to the play as a gift by the legendary business magnate Howard Hughes and she agreed to make a film of it after MGM also agreed to let her choose her costars. There are a lot of fascinating stories about what Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant were initially promised and how they came on board, and while there could be some truth in them, even the most popular ones seem rather suspicious.The wealthy and very active socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) is getting ready to turn a new page in her life by marrying George Kittredge (John Howard), a hardworking and successful but hardly as energetic bachelor who frequently feels awkward at big social events. This would be Tracy's second marriage with which she is also aiming to deliver a message - which is that she is strong and can find happiness on her terms. It is very important to her because in her previous marriage to C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) she felt that she made too many compromises and ultimately allowed him to dictate what their relationships would look like. Now in her marriage to George the roles would be reversed.While final preparations for the wedding are being made, however, the publisher of the popularmagazine dispatches two seasoned reporters, Mike Connor (James Stewart) and his longtime girlfriend Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey), to do an exclusive story with plenty of photos from what everyone expects will turn out to be one of the biggest social events of the year. The reporters are allowed in thanks to Dexter, also aemployee, who unexpectedly appears and introduces them as acquaintances of Tracy's brother. The bride immediately figures out Dexter's game, but is forced to cooperate when he threatens to publish an entirely different story about her father's relationship with a much younger exotic dancer. Realizing that she is once again following rather than directing others how to follow her Tracy quickly amends her initial plan, but then gradually begins to realize that perhaps she is heading into yet another disastrous marriage but for different reasons.The entire film is one big and hugely entertaining display of star power, and the best thing about it is that as it evolves it becomes very clear that the stars are actually getting inspired by each other's brilliance. So this incredibly positive energy that emerges in front of the camera actually makes the spectacle even more attractive.There are a few aspects of Tracy's character development that look somewhat weak -- the entire segment where she has a few extra drinks and lets loose, for instance, seems questionable and actually hurts the film's credibility -- but it is hard to imagine that without the exaggerated pretentiousness there would have been so many great contrasts. The other thing that should be said is that Hepburn's performance is such that it basically becomes impossible to remain indifferent to her character, regardless of the reasons, and this is what ultimately makes it so special.Stewart won an Oscar Award for his performance, but there is probably some truth in the old theory that he might have been compensated for losing a year earlier with Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . Also, Grant is every bit as good, if not better, as Tracy's mean ex-husband.Charles Walters directed a remake ofin 1956 titled High Society with Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby. After appearing in this film Kelly retired from acting.