Sunday 23 December 2012

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942 William Keighley)

Not much of a Christmas favourite:

23 December 2010
22 December 2011
23 December 2012
3 January 2010

Adapted by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein from the play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.

Monte Woolley (his best part), Bette Davis (her most sympathetic role), Ann Sheridan ("the oomph girl, here?"), Richard Travis, Jimmy Durante ("did you ever get the feeling that you wanted to stay?"), Billy Burke and Grant Mitchell (the beleagured parents), Mary Wickes (Nurse Preen: "Mister White Side!"), George Barbier (the doctor, who actually starts looking like a penguin), Reginald Gardiner.

The plot timing is wonderful. The arrival of Ann Sheridan and her CDNs (censor defying nipples). Then the timely appearance of Jimmy Durante.

Tony Gaudio's photography is a particularly beautiful grey and white, inside and out.

Fantastic lines. "Mr Stanley's been arrested for peddling dope. Go away!"
"He announces the time every few minutes."
Richard Travis on being kissed by Bette "Say, I'll write another right away!"




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