The Philadelphia Story
US (1940): Comedy
Re-creating 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 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 (John Howard) when her congenial ex-husband (Cary Grant), arrives to protect his former father-in-law (John Halliday) 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. Selected for the National Film Registry. Remade as the musical High Society in 1956 with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra. (Amazon.com)
6 nominations, 2 Awards
· Best Actor 1940: James Stewart
· Writing (Best Screenplay) 1940: Donald Ogden Stewart
· Best Picture 1940: Joseph L. Mankiewicz, producer (MGM)
· Actress 1940: Katharine Hepburn
· Supporting Actress 1940: Ruth Hussey
· Directing 1940: George Cukor