The Course of True Love

#44—The Philadelphia Story

We are obsessed with the life of celebrities. We watch reality TV shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Real Housewives of... and wonder what it is like to live in the life of someone famous. I have always wondered what the appeal of watching or tracking a celebrity wherever they go or what they eat at 1 pm on a Tuesday, but I know that I am apart of slim minority that cares. This “hobby” of our society is not a recent development either. We have been following the rich and famous since the dawn of time. This subject is part of the plotline for #44 on American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Movies list, which is considered one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. I present to you director George Cukor’s comedic classic The Philadelphia Story.

Philadelphia socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn The African Queen) is getting married once again to an up and coming businessman, George Kittredge (John Howard, and the paparazzi want very desperately to be there to cover it. To accomplish this Spy Magazine has convinced Tracy’s ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant North by Northwest) to slip two reporters, Macaulay "Mike" Connor (James Stewart It’s a Wonderful Life) and Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey), into the wedding as friends of Tracy’s long absent brother in Florida. Seeing right through the ruse, Tracy decides to play along but soon discovers that her wedding may be a bigger stunt than she wants to admit.

I have found myself enjoying these earlier romantic comedies than I do any recent entries into the genre. These films are about sex and one night stands turned into lifelong loves. These films are about love in a much more pure form. These earlier films also feel more lighthearted and respectable. Some romantic comedies recently have gone to this raunchy sex driven area that doesn’t always relate to what real people are feeling. I do understand that this is the way of our society now, so it is always nice to view a film not so overbearing with it.

With this film I have also give a very good glimpse at the pure screen presence that Hepburn commands. She is paired with two of Hollywood’s best actors, even during the release of this film, and yet Hepburn has the ability to rise above them both. Hepburn had an incredible way of breaking the gender barriers during a time when Hollywood was even more chauvinistic than it is now. Of course this is not saying that Grant and Stewart were not wonderful in this film because they were. It was just interesting to see a 40s film such a powerful female presence.

Hepburn’s command of the film could also be due to the film’s director, George Cukor (A Star Is Born), who was handpicked by the actress. Cukor does a remarkable job centering Hepburn in almost every scene, making sure the audience is aware of her stature. The film reflects the amount of fun Cukor and the cast had during the making of this film and I like to think that the director as a big part to play with that. The tone of this film is very light and romantic at times so I applaud Cukor for keeping this film playful at heart.

I would suggest this film to all of you hopeless romantics out there that want to see a much more carefree romantic comedy. This film is pure at heart with an amazing cast that seems to sit perfectly on this list. I strongly believe that The Philadelphia Story deserves to be on this list, but ranked right where it is. There are no groundbreaking effects or deep routed story, just a simple, entertaining little comedy that dares to bend the gender roles of the 1940s.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time. Perfectly Ranked.