Introduction
Welcome to my corner! Last week, I shared my thoughts on the film The Mitchells vs. the Machines. This week, I'm sharing my thoughts on the film The Man Who Came to Dinner. The TCM television channel played The Man Who Came to Dinner in the afternoon on May 28 as part of their 'The Man Who...' lineup.
Enjoy!
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 1942 American screwball comedy film directed by William Keighley and starring Better Davis, Ann Sheridan and, as the titular character, Monty Woolley. The screenplay by Julius and Philip G. Epstein is based on the 1939 play The Man Who Came to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The supporting cast features Jimmy Durante and Billie Burke.
Plot: While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family, the Stanleys. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside's assistant, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis) and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), he interferes with that as well.
Acting: Bette Davis played Maggie Cutler. I'm not sure that I've seen Bette Davis in a role like this before. When I think of Davis, drama, mystery and murder come to mind, not much romance or comedy. Even still, she's part of the romantic pair in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Despite not being able to picture it myself, Dais pulled the role off well. She was/is regarded as on of the best of her times, so I suppose it is only natural. Her most notable films are: All About Eve, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Dark Victory and Now, Voyager. I didn't necessarily have a favorite Bette Davis movie before this, but going forward, it will be The Man Who Came to Dinner.
Ann Sheridan played Lorraine Sheldon. She was another fairly recognizable name of the time. I hear the TCM host say her name all the time, although I haven't seen much, or any, of her work. She was apparently tagged by men as having the most "Oomph", basically meaning she was attractive in a special way. That quality in particular helped with this role as a man-stealer. The four films she's most known for include: King's Row, Torrid Zone, I Was a Male War Bride and Honeymoon for Three.
Monty Woolley played Sheridan Whiteside. He didn't start out as an actor, he was actually a professor. When he got into acting and directing, it was on Broadway. In 1939 he starred in The Man Who Came to Dinner for 783 performances on stage. He later reprised his role onscreen (obviously). He was great in this movie. I loved him. An ornery old man inserting himself into people's lives and making messes? I think, yes! The films he's most known for are: The Pied Piper, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Holy Matrimony and Life Begins at Eight-Thirty.
Other notable actors in the movie include: Jimmy Durante played Banjo, Billie Burke played Mrs. Ernest Stanley (Daisy) and Mary Wickes played Miss Preen. Modern audiences would recognize Durante's voice from the Rankin/Bass Christmas Special Frosty the Snowman. He is the narrator. Burke is Glinda the Good Witch of the North from the Wizard of Oz. And Wickes, well, she's been in darn near everything in supporting roles in movies and television.
Technical Aspects: Four of the leading characters are based on real-life personalities. Sheridan Whiteside was inspired by celebrated critic and Algonquin Round Table member Alexander Woollcott, who eventually played the role on stage; Lorraine Sheldon by musical stage actress Gertrude Lawrence; Beverly Carlton by playwright and renowned wit Noël Coward; and Banjo by Algonquin Round Table member Harpo Marx.
Bette Davis urged Jack L. Warner to purchase the screen rights for her and John Barrymore. He tested for the role of Whiteside but was deemed unsuitable when, as a result of his heavy drinking (or perhaps encroaching Alzheimer's), he supposedly had difficulty delivering the complicated, fast-paced dialogue, even with his lines posted on cue cards throughout the set. The screen test was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in the early 21st century prior to a screening of the filming, making the reason for Davis' subsequent rage at the studio's decision not to cast the superb Barrymore quite apparent.
Monty Woolley, Ruth Vivian and Mary Wickes reprised their roles from the original Broadway production.
Final Thoughts: I'm not usually a big fan of screwball comedies, more specifically modern ones, but this was filled to the brim with comical quips and amazing actors. I'm honestly surprised how many recognizable actors were in The Man Who Came to Dinner, I mentioned them earlier. I would've thought that I would've heard this movie before now, but I hadn't. I suppose it's technically a holiday/Christmas movie, but I think this is a movie that can be enjoyed by many no matter the time of year. I highly recommend giving it a watch!
Where to watch it: According to Google, The Man Who Came to Dinner is available to watch on Hulu. Or, you can purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. I've also donated a DVD copy of the film to the Emil M. Larson Library in Clark for you all to enjoy if you choose to.
That's it for this week! What were your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us! You can call us, email us, visit us at the office, leave us a comment or message on Facebook, or even mail us something. Keep the comments, suggestions, questions, submissions, etc. coming our way! We'd love to hear from you!
