The Philadelphia Story

Katharine Hepburn is on splendid form in this story of a wealthy spoilt brat, who is about to embark on her nuptials - second time around. This time, it's the rather fastidious "Kittredge" (John Howard) she has selected. This man is a far cry from her previous husband "Dexter-Haven" (Cary Grant), but he's what her family think is a safe pair of hands after her last knee-jerk marriage ended in failure. As the big day approaches, a glossy magazine sends reporter "Lis" (Ruth Hussey) and photographer "Mike" (James Stewart) to cover the happy event. It all might have gone to plan but for the arrival at his home next door of the aforementioned ex, who whilst going through the congratulatory motions with "Tracy", is clearly up for some mischief. What chance she will walk up the aisle now? The four at the top of the bill gel perfectly here as the ghastly "Tracy" has to face a few home truths and perhaps the most potent example of "in vino vertitas" ever to hit the silver screen. The whole thing comes across as natural and at times our (safe) vantage point offers us a cutting reflection on people for whom money has no meaning, true, but for whom the feelings of other people has even less. The writing delivers some biting dialogue at times and we've some fun from "Uncle Willie" (Roland Young) thrown in to augment the confusion of the entertaining discord that is ensuing. I suppose I thought Jimmy Stewart stole the show, but in the end it's a comedic romance that's short on sentiment and long on sheer bloody-mindedness. Thoroughly enjoyable.