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Philadelphia Story, The (1940) Rank 4 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Philadelphia Story, The (1940) a score of 3.3524 out of 4
based on (63) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(37)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(22)
Good
2
Good
(3)
Fair
1
Fair
(0)
Poor
0
Poor
(1)
Reviews by Score:
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (Jay Seaver)eFilmCritic.com (Jay Seaver)
"The Philadelphia Story" is darn-near perfect, a breezy romantic comedy from an era when such films were appreciated as more than simply disposable entertainment - it was nominated for and received several Academy Awards, and it may have deserved more. A ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Jay Seaver)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for BoxOfficeCritic.com (Eileen Peterman)BoxOfficeCritic.com (Eileen Peterman)
The Philadelphia Story was adapted by Donald Ogden Stewart from the original play by Philip Barry. Barry wrote the character of Tracy Samantha Lord specifically for the aristocratic New Englander Hepburn and she had great success with the role on ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at BoxOfficeCritic.com (Eileen Peterman)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Three Movie Buffs (Patrick Nash)Three Movie Buffs (Patrick Nash)
Remade as a musical in the fifties, The Philadelphia Story is a landmark movie featuring three of the greatest stars ever to light up the screen. When the AFI recently did their list of the top male and female movie stars of all time, Katharine Hepburn ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Patrick Nash)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for CultureDose.net (Tony Pellum)CultureDose.net (Tony Pellum)
Two key elements of great American film of the classic era are star power and the ability to work within cinematic convention while reinventing it. Perhaps this is what makes The Philadelphia Story such a compelling and intelligent screwball comedy. Two ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at CultureDose.net (Tony Pellum)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for homevideo.about.com (Ivana Redwine)homevideo.about.com (Ivana Redwine)
There are certain films I like to renew my acquaintance with every few years, and one of these is "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), which stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart. This is a witty, sophisticated movie that, in addition to ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at homevideo.about.com (Ivana Redwine)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)
Its witty dialogue, romantic complications, and class-skewering satire are hallmarks of screwball comedy, but George Cukor's classic The Philadelphia Story doesn't turn on absurd situations, outlandish behavior, or unpredictable plot twists. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Decent Films - faith on film (Steven D. Greydanus)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Reviews UKMovie Reviews UK
Preparations for the wedding are in full swing. Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) thinks that she's found just the man for her, George Kittredge (John Howard), after her earlier failed union with C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant). The ceremony looks as if it ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Movie Reviews UK
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
Approaching it as a fairytale with a moral--Hepburn meets her prince but gums it up and need to rediscover her own humanity-Cukor directs with stylish elegance that serves the play perfectly-one of his masterpieces and a sampler of Classic Hollywood Cinem ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
No self-respecting film snob would speak ill of George Cukor's classic romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story, with its three major stars (plus the overlooked Ruth Hussey), rat-a-tat dialogue, hairpin plotting, and delightful humor. And so it's my turn ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for New York Times (Bosley Crowther)New York Times (Bosley Crowther)
It has been a long time since Hollywood has spent itself so extravagantly, and to such entertaining effect, upon a straight upper-crust fable, an unblushing apologia for plutocracy. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at New York Times (Bosley Crowther)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
[Relies] less on physical comedy and more on immaculately delivered zingers. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Netflix (James Rocchi)Netflix (James Rocchi)
You could...fill a book with all the magical things that make this witty, swift, and wistful romantic comedy so impossibly good. Hollywood doesn't make romantic comedies like this anymore. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Netflix (James Rocchi)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)
In their fourth and final onscreen pairing, Grant and Hepburn are joined for the first and only time by Jimmy Stewart. It's amazing that their careers didn't cross again in light of the prodigious film output of all three actors. Directed by George ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)
I am not alone in my love for THE PHILADELPHIA STORY; in 1998 this film classic was named as one of the AFI's 100 Greatest American Films. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 4.00 out of 4 stars for MovieFreak.com (Rachel Sexton)MovieFreak.com (Rachel Sexton)
Anyone who has read my favorites column knows how much I love this film. I'd like to take this chance, though, to articulate more about why. With a classic film such as this one, I think something perhaps a bit subconscious clicks with us in the audience. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at MovieFreak.com (Rachel Sexton)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for Reel.comReel.com
The Philadelphia Story is a cinematic definition of romantic comedy. Starring the Golden Age holy trinity of Katharine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, and Cary Grant, it features witty, lightning-paced dialogue, clever direction and, it could go without saying, ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Reel.com
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for digitallyOBSESSED.com (David Krauss)digitallyOBSESSED.com (David Krauss)
In 1939, Katharine Hepburn's career, for all intents and purposes, was in the toilet. Labeled "Box Office Poison" by the Independent Theatre Owners of America and reeling from a string of popular failures (including, amazingly enough, Bringing Up ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (David Krauss)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.75 out of 4 stars for Almost Fabulous Movie ReviewsAlmost Fabulous Movie Reviews
My favourite comedy of all time. The dialogue is witty, there are plenty of laughs, and Jimmy and Katharine get drunk. It's a great movie. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.comfilmcritic.com
No self-respecting film snob would speak ill of George Cukor's classic romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story, with its three major stars (plus the overlooked Ruth Hussey), rat-a-tat dialogue, hairpin plotting, and delightful humor. And so it's my turn ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at filmcritic.com
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for The BigScreen Cinema Guide - Reader ReviewsThe BigScreen Cinema Guide - Reader Reviews
Looking for more opinions? Check out our Featured Movie Reviews for The Philadelphia Story (1940). ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at The BigScreen Cinema Guide - Reader Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for moviedivamoviediva
Tracy Lord's pre-wedding plans to a social climbing stiff descend into chaos with the arrival of a team of society snoops hosted by her former husband. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at moviediva
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for FireBlade Coffeehouse DVD ReviewsFireBlade Coffeehouse DVD Reviews
Katharine Hepburn plays Tracy Lord (no, not that Tracy Lord). In a way, this is Hepburn's movie. She's the one who bought the rights, and she's the one who forced MGM to make it. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at FireBlade Coffeehouse DVD Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for At-A-Glance Film ReviewsAt-A-Glance Film Reviews
The Philadelphia Story is a great screwball comedy, much more intelligent and insightful than most, and one of the best comedies ever made. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart, each a legendary A-list star, and they work together ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Time OutTime Out
Cukor and Donald Ogden Stewart's evergreen version of Philip Barry's romantic farce, centreing on a socialite wedding threatened by scandal, is a delight from start to finish, with everyone involved working on peak form. Hepburn's the ice maiden, ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Time Out
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Audio Revolution Audio Revolution
This was #15 on the recent American Film Institute list of the 100 Funniest Comedies. While that list, like all such, leaves a hell of a lot to be desired (not enough Preston Sturges, for one thing), it's hard to argue against THE PHILADELPHIA STORY ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Audio Revolution
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for ToxicUniverse.com (Tony Pellum)ToxicUniverse.com (Tony Pellum)
Two key elements of great American film of the classic era are star power and the ability to work within cinematic convention while reinventing it. Perhaps this is what makes The Philadelphia Story such a compelling and intelligent screwball comedy. Two ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (Tony Pellum)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for DVD MovieGuideDVD MovieGuide
With a lead cast of Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart, how could it fail? In this romantic comedy, Hepburn plays Tracy Lord, a wealthy blue blood about to embark on her second marriage. The first was to C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), a fellow ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at DVD MovieGuide
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
George Cukor directs and co-writes this noted classic romantic farce. It is based on Philip Barry's hit 1939 play that focuses on a socialite Philadelphia wedding threatened by scandal (Katharine Hepburn played the starring role in the theater as well ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for The Stop Button (Andrew Wickliffe)The Stop Button (Andrew Wickliffe)
George Cukor must have cheated on his wife at every opportunity, given The Philadelphia Story's (and The Women before it) rewarding of unfaithful husbands. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at The Stop Button (Andrew Wickliffe)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Orbital Reviews Orbital Reviews
Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) and George Kittredge (John Howard) are engaged to be married in just one day, but unexpected guests disrupt their plans and change Tracy's life. Ex-husband C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), away for two years, comes to ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Orbital Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for MediaScreen.comMediaScreen.com
Based on Philip Barry's Broadway smash, the story concerns itself with tempestuous diva, Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn), who's first marriage to C.K. Dexterhaven (Cary Grant) left her with a decidedly skewed perspective on men. Not that Tracy allows ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at MediaScreen.com
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine [UK]Empire Magazine [UK]
Excellent casting, a great storyline and a shrp script mean that this remains a classic of the genre and one of Katherine Hepburn's best roles. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Empire Magazine [UK]
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)
Tres de los mejores actores del cine en una espléndida comedia romántica de ambiente sofisticado, sustentada en las soberbias interpretaciones del terceto protagonista (con un premio Oscar para James Stewart) y en el trazo calmoso y elegante de George ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at El Criticon (Antonio Méndez Casanova)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for DVDBeaver DVDBeaver
Its witty dialogue, romantic complications, and class-skewering satire are hallmarks of screwball comedy, but George Cukor's classic The Philadelphia Story doesn't turn on absurd situations, outlandish behavior, or unpredictable plot twists. ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at DVDBeaver
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Classic Film GuideClassic Film Guide
Katharine Hepburn's comeback role, after being labeled box office poison, earned Jimmy Stewart his only Best Actor Oscar and also won the Best Writing, Screenplay Oscar. Directed by George Cukor (Oscar nominated), this Oscar nominated film contains the ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Classic Film Guide
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)
Those hoping for a retread of the anarchy of Howard Hawks' teaming of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby will be surprised by this rather more adult take on the romantic comedy genre directed by George Cukor from the play by Philip ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) scores a combined 3.50 out of 4 stars for Boxoffice MagazineBoxoffice Magazine
If ever a production was endowed with an over-abundance of what normally represents the epitome in entertainment it is "The Philadelphia Story," based on the play by Philip Barry, scenarized by Donald Ogden Stewart and directed by George Cukor. It is a ...read the complete Philadelphia Story movie review at Boxoffice Magazine
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Movie Reviews: Classic
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) Reviews
Philadelphia Story, The (1940)

RANKINGS:

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
3.4769
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
3.3524
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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