George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart were two of the most successful playwrights of the early twentieth century, with The Man Who Came to Dinner perhaps their greatest comedy. The play was a hit on Broadway, starring former Yale professor Monty Woolley as insulting, pompous radio personality Sheridan Whiteside. The inevitable film adaptation was to star John Barrymore, however, declining health and poor readings forced him to leave the production. He was ably replaced by Woolley, who by now had perfected the venomous character.

Although Woolley plays the title character and is the obvious lead, he is third billed behind Bette Davis and Anne Sheridan. Davis was an enormous star at the time, in the middle of a run of five consecutive years with a nomination for Best Actress. She won Best Actress for Jezebel (1938), and came close with The Letter (1940) and The Little Foxes (1941).

In these three films, Davis plays an almost evil character, in comparison making her role as Whiteside's lovestruck secretary seem almost a miscasting. Davis is convincing, however, as she would be in a somewhat similar role in the following year's Now, Voyager (1942). Davis could play heroines as well as b*tches, even able to play both in the same film, as in the classic All About Eve (1950).

But it is Woolley that makes The Man Who Came to Dinner the outstanding film that it is. Woolley is given many great lines, but it is timing and personality that makes them as funny as they are. When Whiteside delivers an insult, it is blistering and devastating. He takes over the small town mansion of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, and soon has Mr. Stanley (Grant Mitchell) fuming, while Mrs. Stanley (Billie Burke) cringes in fear.

Whiteside also can't stop from meddling in the lives of others, with his motivation more out of self-interest and amusement than any altruism. An anarchist at heart, he surrounds himself with chaos that includes gift penguins from Admiral Byrd, and an assortment of eccentric socialites that allegedly are all based upon theatrical notables with whom Kaufman and Hart were acquaintances. For example, Noel Coward was supposedly the prototype for the riotous wit Beverly Carlton (Reginald Gardiner), while Whiteside himself was based upon drama critic Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943).

The Man Who Came to Dinner briefly made a star out of Monty Woolley. Being a comedy, the film was not taken seriously enough to merit Oscar nominations. Woolley was instead nominated that year as Best Actor for The Pied Piper, and would settle for a supporting actor nomination two years later in Since You Went Away (1944).

It must have been Vaudeville that gave Jimmy Durante his peculiar vocal phrasing, with each syllable delivered in a staccato burst. Durante didn't make many good films, as his overstated personality was difficult to fit into a role. As Banjo, his exuberant skirt chasing would have to be toned down for a 'modern' production, due to political correctness. But Nurse Preen (Mary Wickes) makes a perfect foil for him, in addition to serving as Whiteside's favorite target for stinging one-liners.

I have few complains about The Man Who Came to Dinner, but I can't say that I approve of what eventually happens to the man-eating Lorraine Sheldon (Ann Sheridan). Surely it would be easier and safer to simply explain the situation to Jefferson (Richard Travis), as veteran news reporters don't come that naive even in Masalia, Ohio.

The Kaufman-Hart play was adapted into a film script by twin brothers Julius and Philip Epstein, who would help write Casablanca later that same year. Moss Hart would eventually write screenplays for several more excellent films, including Gentlemen's Agreement (1947) and A Star is Born (1954). (91/100)

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Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8