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The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

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20 out of 29 people found the following comment useful :-
Comic Brilliance, 20 December 2005

Author: nycritic

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Movies like these don't get filmed anymore. The subject matter would not appeal to an audience that today run to the hills at the mention of the words "literate adaptation of a successful Broadway play" which happens to be not about sexy murderesses or sexy bed hoppers, but of people who talk and act in perfectly clipped words and mannered affectations more often seen in such sitcoms like "FRASIER".

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER is a perfect example of a film that remains dated due to its very subject matter. Screenwriters George S. Kaufmann and Moss Hart came up with this hilarious story based on the personalities (as per them) of then-film critic Alexander Woollcott, playwright Noel Coward, and theatre actress Gertrude Lawrence, and in doing so created a smash Broadway hit that received this film version. Stories tell of John Barrymore being up for the part of Sheridan Whiteside (Woolcott) but being 'unable' to remember his lines, which prompted to keep theatre actor Monty Woolley from the original play. Monty breathes a massive amount of life into his smothering, capricious character and of course makes the movie all his. By his side, a perfect foil, is Bette Davis playing Maggie Cutler. The original role was not as large in the play but was expanded for this version and is the only time during her golden period in Hollywood when she stepped down and took a secondary role (though billed first, which must have helped make it a box-office hit). Ann Sheridan as theatre actress Lorraine Sheldon has the third billing and rips into her hysterical role. Watch her scenes with Bette: Maggie and Lorraine bait each other whenever they're on screen together but for the first time, do not watch Davis (who plays well as the quieter, servant female). Ann Sheridan looks like she's about to burst out of her clothes and tear right into Davis.

A near perfect cast: Billie Burke playing more of the same variation of the ditsy socialite, Reginald Gardner doing a great impersonation of Noel Coward (and sporting a great "stuttering" scene at a key point of the movie) and especially Mary Wickes, playing Mrs. Preen, a nurse in attendance of Sheridan who cracks under the pressure of so much craziness. A fantastic, wonderful comedy.

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13 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
1942 Bette Davis a Subdued Secretary in a Comedy, 18 October 2007

Author: semioticz from United States

Screenwriters Moss Hart & George S. Kaufmann created this hilarious story based upon the personas of playwright Noel Coward, film critic Alexander Woollcott, and theater actress Gertrude Lawrence. It became a Broadway hit, then this box-office sensation. Bette Davis convinced Warner Brothers to make this film.

When "The Man Who Came To Dinner," Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley), an eccentric author & radio lecturer, & his secretary, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), arrive at the home of a prominent Ohio family, the Stanleys, Whiteside injures his leg, slipping at his hosts' entrance. After a doctor (George Barbier) tells Whiteside that his leg is broken & he can't leave, the eccentric guest who had only come to dinner wreaks havoc by meddling in everyone else's lives in a proper family's home! Whiteside is especially bent upon keeping Maggie (Davis) unmarried & employed as his secretary who manages all of his life affairs. She's fallen in love, wants to marry & leave her job. Whiteside even bribes the doctor to remain silent after learning nothing's wrong with his leg! When Mr. Stanley uncovers their fraud, Whiteside blackmails him by holding an old family secret over his head. Though, Whiteside's plot to keep Maggie doesn't fool her, it is the central comedy performance of the movie.

Maggie Cutler (Davis) is a perfect foil for Whiteside (Woolley). Her original role was not as central in the stage play. It was expanded for film. Playing a secretary is the only time during Davis' golden 40's period in Hollywood when she accepted a supporting role. However, Davis was billed first in order to make the movie box-office hit. It's a delightful Christmas comedy.

Here's a typical exchange between 'Sheri' & Maggie: Sheridan Whiteside: I simply will not sit down to dinner with Midwestern barbarians, I think too highly of my digestive system.

Maggie Cutler: Harry Clarke is one of your oldest friends.

Sheridan Whiteside: My stomach is an older one.

Maggie Cutler: And Mrs. Stanley is President of the women's club.

Sheridan Whiteside: I wouldn't care if she was the whole cabinet.

Banjo (Jimmy Durante) delivers some memorable comical one-liners, as well.

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12 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
Groucho-like Insults Worth Memorizing, 13 December 2004
Author: mrzeppo from Los Angeles, California

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.

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13 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
A grand comedy, 12 September 1998
Author: Matthew Ignoffo (mermatt@webtv.net) from Eatontown, NJ, USA

This is one of the great film comedies of all time. Monty Woolley is priceless as the uppity celebrity who comes to dinner and stays and stays, causing havoc to a socially upper-crust household. The rest of the cast is superb too. Don't miss this film. It is a gem and a joy.

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6 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
The Most Hilarious Film Ever Made, 14 April 2001

Author: sdiner82 (sdiner82@aol.com) from New York City, USA

After nearly 60 years, "The Man Who Came To Dinner" still ranks as the most hilarious film ever committed to celluloid. Though censorship at the time required some of Kaufman and Hart's ribald dialogue to be toned down, no matter! Monty Woolley's performance is priceless, but Bette Davis, for once in a subdued, non-star performance, provides the heart of the movie and is achingly touching in her subtle evocation of a down-trodden secretary finally discovering love--and in danger of losing her Romeo to the ravishing, outrageously man-eating Ann Sheridan. A perfect film for Christmas viewing (thanks to its exquisite black-and-white cinematography capturing a greeting card background for the non-stop lunacy in the foreground). A perfect film for any day of the year. I've seen other versions--the TV production with Orson Welles, the Broadway musical in the late 1960s, the recent Broadway revival with Nathan Lane. They all pale when compared to this definitive, timeless, masterpiece!

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8 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
A true classic, 20 May 2004

Author: Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States

Radio lecturer Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) reluctantly agrees to visit a family in Ohio for dinner to help a friend. He slips and falls on the ice outside their house. He is confined to a wheelchair and can not leave their house for another two weeks. He also has a VERY bad temper and fires cruel insults off left and right. In the space of two weeks he disrupts the entire household by meddling into their lives and playing host to a steady stream of crazy guests. His secretary (Bette Davis) keeps everything calm.

Hysterical comedy seemingly forgotten. It was also a hit Broadway play. It's VERY quick and has sharp dialogue delivered breathlessly by the cast. Davis nicely downplays her role (she was also the one who persuaded Warner Bros. to do this film). Ann Sheridan is great playing an actress who will do anything for money. And Jimmy Durante appears as Banjo--he overacts all over the place but he IS funny. Best of all is Woolley--he played this role on stage and it shows. He's just great. He plays it to perfection. He was BORN to do this. The only bad acting is by Richard Travers playing hunky Bert Jefferson. He's just terrible! His idea of acting is grinning nonstop at EVERYTHING. And his drunk scene is deplorable. In a way he's so bad he's fascinating to watch.

One minor complaint--Some of the jokes were topical in 1941 (there are references to Tillie the Toiler and various political figures of the time). Today they might be bewildering to some people---those jokes have dated BADLY! But that's a small complaint--this is essentially a great movie with a great twist ending.

A must see!

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10 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
Pretty funny, 25 April 2002

Author: zetes from Saint Paul, MN

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a little uneven, but it's mostly entertaining. The unevenness comes mainly from the dullness of the budding relationship which the film holds in focus. The original play is very well written, especially the dialogue. It was actually performed at my high school when I was there. But its the cast here that excels. Monty Woolley is great in the titular role. He plays Sheridan Whiteside to absolute perfection. Bette Davis is quite good as his secretary, but the role is actually somewhat below her standards. I'm sure she took the role because she loved the play so much and was sure it'd be a hit, but that role is pretty dull. Ann Sheridan perhaps gives the film's most memorable performance as an egotistical Hollywood diva who's not sure whether she wants to marry British nobility for money or just chase around cute guys. Also noteworthy are Billie Burke as Mrs. Stanley, the Ohio society woman who invites Whiteside to dinner, Reginald Gardiner as an eloquent celebrity friend of Whiteside (far underused), and the incredibly insane Jimmy Durante as Banjo. He comes into the film very late, but he very nearly steals the show. 8/10.

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12 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
Good for a laugh., 5 July 2004

Author: dougandwin from Adelaide Australia

Monty Woolley will always be remembered for his role in this movie, but to me the interesting things about watching this film 60 years after it was made, is the supporting cast. Firstly, there is Bette Davis taking a back seat somewhat in a role that is hardly demanding technically, but one which she underplays very well. Ann Sheridan goes over the top, really hamming it up but having fun. Richard Travis is a disaster, and was terribly outclassed by the rest of the crew. On seeing the movie now, one realises what a gem Billie Burke was in these kind of dithery roles. Reginald Gardiner and Jimmy Durante were very good in their small parts, but it is best just to enter into the fun of the whole thing and have a good laugh. I must say the sarcasm of Monty Woolley in the Forties was a whole lot funnier then, than now!

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16 out of 33 people found the following comment useful :-
Made Without Calf's Foot Jelly, 1 March 2005

Author: theowinthrop from United States

The recent death of John Raitt ("Who that?") reminds film watchers of how many terrific performances from Broadway or London's West End were permanently lost because of "brilliant" Hollywood casting decisions. Raitt, one of Broadway's best dramatic singers, was the original Billy Bigalow in "Carousel", but lost the role in Hollywood to Frank Sinatra. Ironically Sinatra quit the film version, and instead of returning to Raitt the producer chose Gordon McCrae. The reason was that McCrae had made several Hollywood musicals, so he had box office recognition. That he did not hold a candle to Raitt in the role was secondary. Raitt remembered this, and when he made the hit musical "The Pajama Game" he had his agent purchase the rights to portray his role on the screen. So his performance is in "The Pajama Game" opposite Doris Day. At least one of his performances were saved (and his performance as Bigalow is saved in television videos of various songs he did on shows like "Ed Sullivan" - so some of Bigalow is saved too].

Before television gave an opportunity to save parts of performances, Hollywood gleefully recast great performances, frequently hurting the final work. Zero Mostel (admittedly a difficult person to direct) was not cast as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" by Norman Jewison (Topol was). Fortunately he did do Pseudolus in Richard Lester's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and he did "Rhinoceros".

"The Man Who Came to Dinner" is a happy example of the right person playing the movie part. Kaufman and Hart based Sheridan Whiteside on Alexander Woolcott, their friend from the Algonquin Roundtable (with Heywood Broun, Dorothy Thompson, Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber, F.P.Adams, Marc Connally, and Harpo Marx). Their comedy is based on a fool-proof situation: a well known celebrity gets injured when invited to dinner by a fan. He is less lovable when one gets to know him. Besides not being patient with fools he is very tart tongued and he meddles when he thinks he is doing the right thing (or when his selfish interest intrudes). The play runs on the complications of Whitesides antics and the various caricatures in the play (Noel Coward and Harpo Marx, among others). It is, when the central role is played properly, excellent comedy. Wooley played the role originally (and bitingly). It was played equally well by Nathan Lane in a superb revival (fortunately it is on video). However the great Orson Welles badly let down the center of the play in 1972 on television.

Wooley, the head of the drama department at Yale, and the friend of Cole Porter (who composed the "Noel Coward" song that is sung in the play by the caricature Beverley Carleton), had been acting in films since the middle 1930s. But it was not until he got this plum part that he was recognized as the original talent he was. For the rest of his life Wooley was a star of stage and (after this film) screen.

The main problem in the film is the references to events of the 1940s. For example references to William Beebe and Admiral Richard Byrd. To update the references is not helpful (it was tried in the 1972 Welles version, and the jokes fell flat). In the Nathan Lane version the commercial interludes included newspaper headlines, reminding us of who Beebe and Byrd and the others were.

The reference to calf's foot jelly is one of Wooley's put downs of the hapless Mrs. Stanley (Billy Burke). She made some calf's foot jelly for Whiteside. "Made from your own foot, no doubt.", Whiteside replies.

This is not the only time that Alex Woolcott was the basis for a fictional character. In the novel that is the basis of "Laura" Waldo Lydecker is based on Woolcott (who was interested in murder, but not murderous).

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0 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
The uninvited trouble!, 8 May 2008

Author: princesshm27 from United States

When you say comedy, this just has to be on the list. Mr Whiteside is a big time cynic who comes to have dinner with Mr Stanley & his family, but the Stanley's had the least gratitude for the ice that made Mr whiteside slip & break his hip. Instead of attending only a dinner, he takes over a part of the house to camp in while he heals. To attend to him 24hrs is his nurse whom he never spares a sarcastic comment. *the best ever*! His stay brings along more people & more trouble for the stanleys. Mr Whiteside supports the kids to pursue their dreams that their parents had not allowed. To top it all off, even the exotic pets have a place to stay. Mr Stanley keeps boiling for a good reason, waiting for the day that Mr Whiteside would recover, but luck barely sides him!!!! :) Its definitely 100 mins of tumbling over with laughter!

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