- Actors: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart
- Directors: George Cukor
- Format: DVD-Video, Black & White, PAL, Special Edition
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: U
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- DVD Release Date: 20 Jun 2005
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00081MWV6
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 25,642 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details |
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Recreating the role she originated in Philip Barry's wickedly witty Broadway play, Katharine Hepburn stars as the spoiled and snobby socialite Tracy Lord in this sparkling 1940 screen adaptation of The Philadelphia Story, one of the great romantic comedies from the golden age of MGM studios. Applying her impossibly high ideals to everyone but herself, Tracy is about to marry a stuffy executive when her congenial ex-husband (Cary Grant), arrives to protect his former father-in-law from a potentially scandalous tabloid exposé. In an Oscar-winning role, James Stewart is the scandal reporter who falls for Tracy as her wedding day arrives, throwing her into a dizzying state of premarital jitters. Who will join Tracy at the altar? Snappy dialogue flows like sparkling wine under the sophisticated direction of George Cukor in this film that turned the tide of Hepburn's career from "box-office poison" to glamorous Hollywood star. --Jeff Shannon
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I first saw this movie one Christmas, by chance, at two a.m. after coming in late from work - and even though I was REALLY tired I stayed till the end. Hepburn, Grant and Stewart are all in great form - the humour is fast, in the best of the "forties" style. Much of the "action" is verbal with the plot driven via the dilemma facing Tracy on the eve of her wedding - should she or shouldn't she? - the humour is in WHY!. The story ultimately conveys how Tracy Lord falls foul of her own snobbery and finally grows out of it.
The musical just does not compare - even though I like Frank in High Society - Grace Kelly could not spout enough of that slightly vinigared vim that KH does so well and Bing Crosby could not hope to replace Cary Grant's suave aire and understated humour. Much of the wit hinges upon this contrast and whether there will be a resolution!
- I could go on, but I would not like to spoil the movie for those who have not yet had the pleasure. If you like sophisticated, subtle humour - (at times quite gentle, but with an underlying theme that amplifies each quip), an outstanding script and skillful comic acting from all concerned, this is one for you.
Ella H.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I can't believe this stylish film gets fewer stars than High Society, its later musical reworking. Although Philadelphia Story is at certain points a little sentimental and dated, it is by far the superior picture visually, verbally and dramatically. The three leads are tremendously engaging and the gags terrific. It has remained one of my favourite films for many years and continues to reward repeated viewing: absolutely definitely one for your collection if you are a Katharine Hepburn fan!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
They don't make films like this these days, more's the pity. OK, it helps when you have lead actors of the calibre of Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart, and they're not exactly a dime a dozen.
Maybe studios fear a modern audience wouldn't appreciate the witty dialogue which all the actors get a piece of instead of lots of action and explosions?
Hepburn plays spoiled rich girl Tracey Lord, about to embark on another marriage. Cary Grant is her ex-husband, and James Stewart the cynical journalist assigned to cover the wedding as an undercover expose. Hepburn's actual fiance barely makes an appearance, as the sparks fly between the soon-to-be-married Tracey and both men.
See this for some of the best work from the three stars, and for the sparkling dialogue; and a sophisticated comedy which, whilst a period piece, still comes alive with great freshness on the screen.
Maybe studios fear a modern audience wouldn't appreciate the witty dialogue which all the actors get a piece of instead of lots of action and explosions?
Hepburn plays spoiled rich girl Tracey Lord, about to embark on another marriage. Cary Grant is her ex-husband, and James Stewart the cynical journalist assigned to cover the wedding as an undercover expose. Hepburn's actual fiance barely makes an appearance, as the sparks fly between the soon-to-be-married Tracey and both men.
See this for some of the best work from the three stars, and for the sparkling dialogue; and a sophisticated comedy which, whilst a period piece, still comes alive with great freshness on the screen.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sublime, Golden age Cinema
Firstly, I watched this as a Korean import DVD, which is quite a bit cheaper but possibly, of inferior quality. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Tim Kidner
A brief note on the extra material with this DVD
Other reviews will mention that this is a glorious movie. Fabulous plotting, dialogue (screenplay), directing, cinematography and performances. We know this. Read more
Published 16 months ago by K. E. Jones
Movie heaven for boxing day
I bought my daughter a bundle of favourite old movies for christmas. We watched this on boxing day - having watched High Society the night before (which is another version of same... Read more
Published 17 months ago by rachelfairymary
Brilliant film that never ages
Excellent film, brilliant comic timing, completely different to the Frank Sinatra/Grace Kelly remake. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Magenta
Sublime Film - Superb Special Features.
I won't bother to review the film as others on this page have already done so, other than to say it has a stellar cast all at their sparkling best and directed by the brilliant... Read more
Published on 17 April 2010 by C. Garner
The Philadelphia Story
This is one of my all time favourite films. Witty, classy, funny, sharp. I would think you'd have to be a bit of a "romantic" to enjoy it as I do. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2010 by Ms. V. E. Vincent-fernie
Three favourites in a great comedy of manners
Do any famous women look like Katherine Hepburn these days? There are moments in this movie when the lights strike her cheekbones and she looks like a sculpture of feminine... Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Mr. J. Carr
Good screen adaptation of the play
Tracy Lords is getting married again. This time to a man who worked his way to the top instead of starting there. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2008 by bernie
Good screen adaptation of the play
Tracy Lords is getting married again. This time to a man who worked his way to the top instead of starting there. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2006 by bernie
"I'm testing the air. I like it but it doesn't like me."
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, and James Stewart... Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2005 by Steven Y.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
