Insanity Runs in My Family...It Practically Gallops! - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--The Philadelphia Story and His Girl Friday

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--The Philadelphia Story and His Girl Friday

The Philadelphia Story

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Once upon a time, a man fell in love with a woman. They got married. And then, sadly, they divorced.

Such was the case of C.K. Dexter Haven, played by Cary Grant, and Tracy Lord, played by Katherine Hepburn. Time has elapsed since their messy divorce--and Tracy has found new happiness with the man of her dreams (she thinks), George Kittredge. Things are going fine before the wedding, until Dexter arrives. Yes, he seems to have recovered from the alcoholism that ruined their marriage. Yet he's also the same Dexter she once married and fell in love with--the charming, smart, witty, and handsome Dexter.

Tracy is not swayed, however. Even when Dexter invites himself to her family's home so that he can attend the wedding, she refuses to listen to him. Two more join the party--a reporter, Mike Connor, played by Jimmy Stewart, and his photographer, Liz. Their job is simple--they are to cover Tracy's wedding and secure an interview, all in return that the paper they work for does not reveal publicly a dark shadow in Tracy's father's life.

Meanwhile, Dexter is making himself home at the house. He's a favorite of the family, to Tracy's disgust--her mother loves him, her ten-ish year old sister adores him (she very wisely advises her big sister to go back to him, because she likes him 'much better than George'; she even threatens to have the wedding postponed by getting smallpox!), and George...well, as you can imagine, George and Dexter don't always see eye to eye. Especially when it comes to Tracy.

A party is thrown...and unfortunately, both Tracy and Mike have a bit too much to drink. This puts a sinister idea in the head of Dexter--it's time for action, if he's going to prevent George and Tracy's wedding. He arranges George to see Tracy and Mike together (perfectly innocent on their part, minus a kiss or two!). Heartbroken, George is convinced Mike and Tracy are involved, and he calls off the wedding.

Bet you think you know what happens next. Not so fast, I'm afraid. George is out of the picture, but Dexter has another problem on his hand--he hasn't won his girl back yet. Mike, of all people, may have just found his way into Tracy's heart, all because of the plan Dexter devised to get her!

Filled with Cary's dry humor, Jimmy's boyish attitude, and Katherine's flippant wisecracks,and hilarious ad-libs (the best thing a movie can have!) this movie is a must-see!

Quotes from the movie:

"Yes, yes your Majesty, but first, could I interest you in some small blackmail?"--Dexter

"C.K. Dexter Haaaaaaaaaven! Oh C.K. Dexter Haven!'--Mike

*hiccups*--Mike "Excuse me."--Dexter. (total ad libbed moment here, you gotta see it for it to be funny. You can see them both trying not to laugh)

His Girl Friday

Yet again, Cary Grant is playing an ex-husband who desperately wants his ex-wife back, even though she's now moved on to another man. Walter Burns, Grant's character, is still madly in love with Hildy Johnson. She's all set to marry Bruce Baldwin, however.

Sound like another Philadelphia Story? The plot is rather similar, I admit. But watching them both feels so different, yet equally good.

Walter Burns is an editor for a popular newspaper, and Hildy once worked for him. They married and divorced, but Hildy stayed in the business. She's tired of it, though--she wants something every woman wants--a steady man, a house she can call her own, and children. Bruce Baldwin has promised her these things, and she is ready to forsake the business world, and become the perfect little housewife.

Walter is devastated when he hears of her engagement, but tries to play it cool. He traps her into covering just one more story for him--an important case which could result in a man being executed for a crime he did not commit--before her wedding. Throughout, he remains "friendly" with Bruce, but in reality, he's setting him up for disaster--and maybe worse.

The story starts as a man wanting his woman back. Somehow, politics, the legal system, justice, and media slant issues are weaved through the story intricately, making it much more than just another "romantic comedy". Although funny it is...and equally romantic! Walter struggles with a question throughout the movie as well--will Hildy ever truly be happy with him, even if she did succumb to his charms once more, or is it better to let her go and have what she deserves?

Quotes of the movie:

"Oh, Walter, you're wonderful - in a loathsome sort of way."--Hildy

"He's an insurance salesman. That's a good, honest business, isn't it?"--Hildy "Oh certainly, it's honest. It's also adventurous, it's romantic. Listen, Hildy, I can't picture you being surrounded by policies, policies... "--Walter

"He looks like, uh, that fellow in the movies, you know, uh, Ralph Bellamy". --Walter (ad libbed line, describing Bruce, who was actually played by Ralph Bellamy. Bet everyone was dying when he said that!)

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