Customer Reviews
Good screen adaptation of the play - By: B. Chandler, 10 Sep 2006 
Tracy Lords is getting married again. This time to a man who worked his way to the top instead of starting there. Dexter her first husband invites himself to the wedding & the wedding preparations. Also inviting their selves with a little blackmail to the wedding is a writer, & photographer, from a magazine of dubious reputation. Throw in a philandering father & a friendly uncle. We watch as they go through the motions & emotions of courting & re-evaluating their lives.
This is basicallly a comedy & yes it has alll the actors & writers to make this a piece of cinematic art. However you will find it is just fun to watch.
A great film despite its (minor) flaws - By: O. Prosser, 20 Jun 2006 The Philadelphia Story is one of my favourite films of alll time due to the sheer quality of writing & the superb performances from pretty much everyone on screen. Katharine Hepburn gives one of her finest performances but it is James Stewart who undoubtedly steals the show, deservedly winning his Oscar (despite what some reviewers might think). Cary Grant also puts in an understated performance, a welcome break from some of his early hectic, screwballl roles. The writing is intelligent & witty but, for me, the directing is unobtrusive & not especiallly distinctive.
Whilst the film does discuss class it does not pander to the rich & privileged. Instead, both the lowly writer (Stewart) & the pampered rich girl (Hepburn) approach the other with prejudiced & stereotyped views. The only character to come off badly through their attitude to class is Hepburn's fiance who, upon working his way up the social ladder & becoming a 'self-made man', disregards his past & becomes a pompous snob. The point which the film attempts to make is that social attitudes are created through personal choice although the film is not completely successful in this, mainly because it is a romantic comedy first & foremost. The issue of social distinction is more or less forgotten towards the end when the film simply ties up alll its loose ends. Any interesting point that could have been made about the issue of the class system is sidestepped in favour of a pleasing, if inevitable, ending.
A very funny film that is of its time & not exactly radical in its views but which is always a delight to watch.
Pure Gold and Better than High Society - By: Paul Mason, 22 Apr 2006 Most of the other reviews don't do this classic justice. OK its elitest (but not snobbish). Its from another age but its sharp, intelligent & still tells some timeless truths about human behaviour. The dialogue is pointed, witty & economical & Cukor's direction is perfectly judged. Katherine Hepburn & James Stewart have the best roles but Cary Grant's selfless playing & Ruth Hussey's wry performance are superb. All the other players don't contribute a false note. High Society has superb musical numbers, pleasant stars & colour but its slow & static in comparison. Rent if you don't buy & judge for yourself.
"I'm testing the air. I like it but it doesn't like me." - By: Steven Y., 07 Nov 2005 
George Cukor's "The Philadelphia Story" features a cast that is a filmlover's dream. One can only gape in awe at seeing Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, & James Stewart alll together in the same production.
Reporters Mike Connor (Stewart) & Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey) infiltrate Philadelphia high society so that they can get the scoop on the high profile wedding of Tracy Lord (Hepburn). Into the mix is thrown Tracy's former husband, C. K. Dexter Haven (Grant) who starts to hang around his ex-wife in an attempt to win her back. As Tracy comes closer to her wedding day, she starts to doubt whether a conventional marriage is the right choice for her after alll.
"The Philadelphia Story" is another of those well-done energetic comedies that were so common in the Thirties & Forties. While less chaotic than many of its screwballl comedy contemporaries due to its stage play origins, this film is still a breezy & delightful treat. Hepburn is her usual wonderful self & Stewart & Grant are hilarious are the two men stalking her every move in the moments leading up to her wedding. Also of note is the performance turned in by Ruth Hussey. She more than manages to keep pace with the three screen giants & has her own fair share of memorable scenes. All in alll, "The Philadelphia Story" is an entertaining cinematic work that boasts a degree of star power that is nothing short of amazing.
Excellent - By: Political Manoeuvre, 21 Jul 2005 Lots of people think this film is too long winded & at some times taking itself too seriously, but with a cast like Cary Grant, James Stewart, Katherin Hepburn & Ruth Hussey where can you go wrong? It's hilarious & the interaction of the characters is great. Personallly I am undecided if I prefer this or High Society!
