The film was one of numerous collaborations between stewart, who won the oscar for writing, and the director george cukor. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis indepth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. Hes now a recovering alcoholic and, if not apologetic, at least understanding of what he had and lost. The suspense and complication of the plot is compounded by the miraculous pace of the script. Broadways howling yearrun comedy hit of the snooty society beauty who slipped and fell in love philadelphia heiress tracy lord throws out her playboy husband c. Read info about the screenplay for the philadelphia story, 1940, directed by george cukor, with cary grant, katharine hepburn, james stewart. And so stewart gave to the screwball romantic comedy canon the philadelphia story, based on the broadway play by phillip barry, and featuring katharine hepburn in a careerreversing role as socialite tracy lord. A table, redcheckered cloth, two chairs and a specials board.
Recreating the role she originated in philip barrys wickedly witty broadway play, katharine hepburn stars as the spoiled and snobby socialite tracy lord in this sparkling 1940 screen adaptation of the philadelphia story, one of the great romantic comedies from the golden age of. Script request the philadelphia story 1940 script share. The philadelphia story is proof of what a classic film can be in many aspects, but certainly in the script, because it has humor, dialogue, and themes that thoroughly entertain. And so, all america applauds the philadelphia story and cary grant, katharine hepburn, james stewart, and ruth hussey.
Having grown up in suburban philadelphia and having seen the film many times its a household favorite, i wanted to read the original play. Philip barrys sparkling comedy the philadelphia story is witty, sophisticated romp, a breezy and romantic story which explores family dynamics, class prejudice, and human frailty. The philadelphia story radio script by charles ryan. Phillip barrys play the philadelphia story premiered on march 28, 1939 at the. But his secret is exposed when a colleague spots the illnesss telltale lesions.
The victory theater brings you cary grant, katharine hepburn, lieutenant james stewart, ruth hussey, and virginia weidler in the philadelphia story. If anybody has access to the film script, in any form, id love a copy. This also means it has been incorporated into the dramatica story expert application itself as an easily referenced. Offering a wonderfully witty script, spotless direction from george cukor, and typically excellent lead performances, the. The philadelphia story premiered at the shubert theatre in new york on march 28, 1939. Donald ogden stewart november 30, 1894 august 2, 1980 was an american author and screenwriter, best known for his sophisticated golden era comedies and melodramas, such as the philadelphia story based on the play by philip barry, tarnished lady and love affair. Dripping with frillyedged sarcasm, she makes full use of her clipped bryn mawr speech tones. Fired shortly afterwards, beckett resolves to sue for discrimination, teaming up with joe miller denzel washington, the only lawyer willing to help. Its screenplay is a witty, sparkling, and bright adaptation of philip barrys broadway hit play. Screenplay by donald ogden stewart, based on the play by philip barry. The philadelphia story is a comedy that captures how one family and one vivacious woman respond to the presence of intrusive media while dealing with the drama of their private affairs during one of lifes momentous occasions. Im standing here solidly on my own two hands and im going crazy. The philadelphia story is a 1940 american romantic comedy film directed by george cukor, starring cary grant, katharine hepburn, and james stewart, and featuring ruth hussey. The philadelphia story original, play, comedy, broadway opened in new york city mar 28, 1939 and played through mar 30, 1940.
The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the storyform for the philadelphia story. The script, adapted by donald ogden stewart from a play by philip barry, is. Urban optiques movies at the marquis viewing guide the philadelphia story production broadway playwright philip barry wrote the philadelphia story speci. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The philadelphia story is a 1940 american romantic comedy film directed by george cukor, starring cary grant, katharine hepburn, and james stewart and featuring ruth. Torn between three men, tracy must determine whether or not she belongs on a pedestal.
Each contributed time and talent to this radio effort to help win the war. Simplyscripts oscar winning screenplays 1928 to present. Creating culturally responsive, inclusive classrooms. The official database for broadway theatre information the philadelphia story broadway play original ibdb. The philadelphiastory script at the internet movie script database. Much of the script of the film is word for word from the play which is nice to see, though there are certain characters excised from the film and tweaks to.
Urban optiques movies at the marquis viewing guide the. Hepburn, who was considered boxoffice poison at the time, revitalized her hollywood career with the philadelphia story, smartly buying the film rights to ensure her starring role. The story is, the philadelphia story, based on the movie of the same name and with the original stars. For a comedy of manners, the philadelphia story is. The philadelphia story tracy is taking connor out for a swim after the party. Selected monologues from the philadelphia story including video examples, context and character information.
The philadelphia story movie quotes rotten tomatoes. Freshmen students who are in the crew of lagniappepotpourri should audition during a lunch period on. Philadelphia script at the internet movie script database. The philadelphia story is a 1940 american romantic comedy film directed by george cukor. Tracy is taking connor out for a swim after the party. Dexter haven cary grant in the middle of the night. Connor tells tracy she shouldnt marry george, and starts to compliment the crap out of her. The play opened in late march 1939 and ran for a full year with more. And she also feels that she has been a disappointment to her father. The wealth and position of the socially prominent lord family of philadelphia has made tracy, the eldest daughter, into an imperious and haughty shrew. George cukors the philadelphia story slant magazine. Offering a wonderfully witty script, spotless direction from george cukor, and typically excellent lead performances, the philadelphia story is an unqualified classic. By rachel sexton classic hollywood in general refers to the period of the film industry that encompasses the 1930s, 40s.
The philadelphia story broadway play original ibdb. The philadelphia story by phillip barry directed by anne jamesnoonan aboutauditions you do not need to sign up for an after school audition. Betsy mentioned that some aspects of the script that are alluded to off stage. Dexter haven married impulsively, with their marriage and subsequent divorce being equally passionate.
Tracys attitude causes a marital rift with her childhood sweetheart. Fearing it would compromise his career, lawyer andrew beckett tom hanks hides his homosexuality and hiv status at a powerful philadelphia law firm. They broke up when dexters drinking became excessive, it a mechanism to cope with tracys unforgiving manner to the imperfect, imperfections which dexter admits he readily has. The philadelphia story 1940 is an intelligent, sophisticated, classic romantic comedyfarce part screwball of love and marriage, human growth and class distinctions.
It tells the story of a socialite whose wedding plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her exhusband and an attractive journalist. The philadelphia story 1940 writers guild of america west. The philadelphia story is a 1939 american comic play by philip barry. Recreating the role she originated in philip barrys wickedly witty broadway play, katharine hepburn stars as the spoiled and snobby socialite tracy lord in this sparkling 1940 screen adaptation of the philadelphia story, one of the great romantic comedies from the golden age of mgm studios. What i like about the philadelphia story is it takes place two years after cary grant behaved like such an asshole. And as we look out on the world tonight, we find that the war has indeed reached a crisis. Please be prepared to arrive at the start of the audition and stay to the end. Philadelphia by ron nyswaner september 21, 1992 fade in. This story was adapted into the musical high society in 1956 starring grace kelly, bing crosy, and frank sinatra. Scene from the philadelphia story 1940 where a drunk macaulay connors james stewart visits c. Join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. In philadelphia story, characters do not speak so much as careen through sentences. The philadelphia story critics consensus offering a wonderfully witty script, spotless direction from george cukor, and typically excellent lead performances, the philadelphia story is an.
The script crackles with a story originally inspired by helen hope montgomery scott the unofficial queen of philadelphias wasp oligarchy, according to vanity fair and illustrates just how far back americas celebritycrazed pop culture goes. Like his algonquin round table cohorts dorothy parker, george s. Academy award script screenplay winners through the ages. A single line is often filled with an array of adjectives, references, even emotions. The philadelphia story was turned into a screenplay by donald ogden stewart, a member of the algonquin round table and a friend of ernest hemingways who joined the author in.