L'homme qui vint dîner

Watching this fantastic black and white flick was a real treat. I played Maggie in the play version by Kaufmann and Hart, and I was among a very competent cast of actors. Yet the performers in this film are so versatile and polished it seems almost an entirely different story. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the wit and sarcasm that so classified the 1940's cinema era. Woolsey, as Whiteside is bitingly on target as the sharp-tongued radio personality, and Bette Davis, I must say, certainly does the role of the starry-eyed secretary justice. Four stars!

This delightful film is based on one of the three great stage comedies written by Moss Hart and George Kauffman, two of America's most celebrated comedy playwriting teams. A classic farce which spoofs the arrogance of the self important writer, Sheridan Whiteside, and exposes the hidden foibles of high society including a household member who is a secret axe murderer, it's nicely offset by a light comedy romance between two supporting players. Bette Davis gives one of her better performances as the female romantic lead and is, for a change, neither ascerbic nor bitchy. This is a nice piece of ensemble acting, and a perfect example of American comedy of its period.

Yes, most of the below reviewers are correct. "The Man Who Came to Dinner" is a splendid comedy. But what no one has mentioned - and this is especially relevant, given some of the negative comments here - is that Kaufmann and Hart wrote the play, basing the Whiteside character on their friend Alexander Woolcott, who was a hugely famous and influential - not to mention opinionated and acerbic - theatre critic of the day. The presence of Jimmy Durante, playing "Banjo" is important because a high profile member of the Woolcott "rat-pack" was Harpo Marx, clearly the model for Banjo. Monty Wooley played "Sheridan Whiteside" in the play's initial run (and of course here in the movie) but it's a tribute to Woolcott's ability to laugh at himself that during the play's national tour of the US Woolcott actually played the Sheridan Whiteside part himself. (I only know all of this because I've just finished reading Harpo Marx' autobiography, "Harpo Speaks", which I highly recommend to all IMDBers)

Orry-Kelly manages to communicate the prinicpal female characters' personas without their speaking a word.

Ann Sheridan's willowy figure, plus his fluid blouses/gowns, minus any foundation garments left Monty Woolley struggling to keep his eyes on her face. I must admit, i couldnt take my eyes off her myself. Every entrance is a chance to revel in her delightful over-the-top style

Contrasted with Bette Davis' perfectly tailored wool suits and accessories, this film shows the exceptional range of Orry-Kelly's Costume Design in one film.

Fabulous.

George S. Kaufman co-wrote this play-turned-film based on the real-life characters with whom he regularly associated. Alexander Woolcott, the famed Broadway critic was the inspiration for Sheridan Whiteside, a publicly loved figure who's private, curmudgeonly demeanor was less than idyllic. Kaufman even went so far as to have Whiteside occasionally sing jibberish with a child's speech impediment, which was a practice of Woolcott's.

Monty Wooley brilliantly delivers the Groucho-like insults penned with supreme wit by the Marxian play and film write. Kaufman, of course, co-wrote many of the Marx's best works and was a good friend of Harpo, upon whom the character "Banjo" is based.

The entire cast is brilliant save for Richard Travis who, while not distractingly bad, is somewhat outclassed by the likes of Bette Davis, Billie Burke, Mary Wickes, and Reginald Gardiner.

All in all, this is solid comedy that bears repeated seasonal viewing. I can't figure out why it's not on DVD. That's not true. I CAN figure it out. I doubt it would sell large numbers of copies given movie audiences' limited awareness of the film. What I meant was, I wish it were available on DVD.