The Philadelphia Story Overview:

The Philadelphia Story (1940) was a Comedy - Black-and-white Film directed by George Cukor and produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

SYNOPSIS

Hepburn shines (the Stewart character describes her character as being "lit from within") as Tracy Lord, the role that probably continues to define our vision of her. And she took a strong hand in the production, bankrolling the play, in which she also starred, and hand-picking the director, screenwriter, and stars. This perennial favorite, a film version of Barry's smart play, depicts the topsy-turvy events around the impending wedding of a wealthy society girl who's torn between her millionaire fianc? (Howard), her dashing ex-husband (Grant), and a cynical, voice-of-the-people reporter (Stewart) turned loose among the Main Line set. Remade in musical form in 1956 as High Society with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Grace Kelly.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

.

The Philadelphia Story was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1995.

Academy Awards 1940 --- Ceremony Number 13 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorJames StewartWon
Best ActressKatharine HepburnNominated
Best Supporting ActressRuth HusseyNominated
Best DirectorGeorge CukorNominated
Best PictureMetro-Goldwyn-MayerNominated
Best WritingDonald Ogden StewartWon
.

The Philadelphia Story BlogHub Articles:

Introducing THE PHILADELPHIA STORY for Last Remaining Seats on June 10

on May 23, 2023 From GlamAmor

I'll be introducing The Philadelphia Story (1940) at the historic Los Angeles Theatre as part of Last Remaining Seats on June 10! It's a real honor to be invited by the Los Angeles Conservancy to be part of this beloved series. An additional honor is that they're allowing me to do my type of introdu... Read full article


The Philadelphia Story (1941)

By Cameron on Jan 29, 2018 From The Blonde At The Film

via: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/12778/The-Philadelphia-Story/#tcmarcp-142626 ?Unless otherwise noted, all images are my own. The Philadelphia Story (1941) is a charming comedy that holds a unique place in cinema history, mostly because of its notorious star. It was based on a 1939 play by Philip... Read full article


Field Trip: “The Philadelphia Story” at River East 21 February 18

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 20, 2018 From Classic Movie Man

Field Trip: “The Philadelphia Story” at River East 21 February 18 Treasure of the Sierra Madre on the big screenDate: February 18 at River East 21, 322 East Illinois · Chicago, IL Time: 2:00 p.m. TCM Big Screen Classics Presents: The Philadelphia Story Cary Grant, Kather... Read full article


Why I love The Philadelphia Story (1940)

By Carol Martinheira on Jan 17, 2018 From The Old Hollywood Garden

Why I love The Philadelphia Story (1940) On January 17, 2018 By CarolIn Uncategorized The privileged class enjoying its privileges, as Mike Connor (James Stewart in an Oscar-winning role) puts it. And why not? The Philadelphia Story is high society at its best. Or is i... Read full article


Win Tickets to see ?TCM Big Screen Classics: The Philadelphia Story (Giveaway runs through Feb 3)

By Annmarie Gatti on Jan 5, 2018 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Win Tickets to see ?The Philadelphia Story? on the Big Screen! In Select Cinemas Nationwide Sun Feb 18 and Wed Feb 21! ?I don’t want to be worshipped. I want to be loved.? CMH continues into our?3rd year of our partnership with Fathom Events?? with the 2nd?of our 13 movie ticket giveaways for ... Read full article


See all The Philadelphia Story articles

Quotes from The Philadelphia Story

Elizabeth (Liz) Imbrie: Oh it's all right Tracy. We all go haywire at times and if we don't, maybe we ought to.


C. K. Dexter Haven: I'm sorry, but I thought I better hit you before he did. He's in better shape than I am.


Macaulay Connor: Tracy.
Tracy Lord: What do you want?
Macaulay Connor: You're wonderful. There's a magnificence in you, Tracy.
Tracy Lord: Now I'm getting self-conscious. It's funny. I - Mike? Let's...
Macaulay Connor: Yeah?
Tracy Lord: I don't know - go up, I guess, it's late.
Macaulay Connor: A magnificence that comes out of your eyes, in your voice, in the way you stand there, in the way you walk. You're lit from within, Tracy. You've got fires banked down in you, hearth-fires and holocausts.
Tracy Lord: I don't seem to you made of bronze?
Macaulay Connor: No, you're made out of flesh and blood. That's the blank, unholy surprise of it. You're the golden girl, Tracy. Full of life and warmth and delight. What goes on? You've got tears in your eyes.
Tracy Lord: Shut up, shut up. Oh, Mike. Keep talking, keep talking. Talk, will you?


read more quotes from The Philadelphia Story...

Facts about The Philadelphia Story

Katharine Hepburn starred in the Broadway production of the play on which this film was based and owned the film rights to the material; they were purchased for her by billionaire Howard Hughes, then given to her as a gift.
June 2008 Ranked #5 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Romantic Comedy".
Some think, with director George Cukor on board, Katharine Hepburn's first choice of co-star, Clark Gable, was never going to be a possibility because Gable allegedly had Cukor fired from directing Gone with the Wind because Gable allegedly detested the director's obvious homosexuality. In reality, Cukor was dismissed from _Gone with the Wind (1939)_ because of repetitive clashes with producer David O. Selznick and Gable was simply busy with other projects at the time the The Philadelphia Story was being made.
read more facts about The Philadelphia Story...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Best Actor Oscar 1940






See more Best Actor awards>>
National Film Registry

The Philadelphia Story

Released 1940
Inducted 1995
(Sound)




See All Films in National Registry >>
Also directed by George Cukor




More about George Cukor >>
Also produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz




More about Joseph L. Mankiewicz >>
Related Lists
Create a list




See All Related Lists >>
Also released in 1940




See All 1940 films >>
More "Romance (Comic)" films



See All "Romance (Comic)" films >>
More "Divorce" films



See All "Divorce" films >>
More "Based on Play" films



See All "Based on Play" films >>
More "Alcohol" films



See All "Alcohol" films >>