6 counts of unwanted sexual advancements/harassment/sexism/violence against women which is completely unacceptable. I can't help but think people watching this movie at the time must have laughed, thought it was acceptable and have perpetuated the behaviour they saw on screen, or perhaps this movie was just a reflection of what was already deemed to be acceptable in society. Either way, it's never appropriate, yet it is still prominent in movies nearly 80 years later.The little sister Dinah was played well. Some lines I chuckled at, especially Hepburn's, but no belly laughs. A twist on the traditional love story, but still a pretty feeble plot line. After the first half I got very bored and was simply waiting for the film to end. Well, at least I've seen it now.

The witty characters and situations of Philip Barry's play doesn't hide the fact that everyone of these people is pretty close to certifiably nuts. Katharine Hepburn's Tracy Lord has her charms, but there's a motive behind that charm that brings on suspicion. She's on the verge of her second marriage, having already divorced the allegedly constantly drunk Cary Grant, probably tipsy all the time during their marriage because of her obviously selfish disposition. Now she's engaged to the stuffy John Howard, on the verge of a huge society bash, and Grant shows up with the idea of pointing out her mistake in choosing a replacement. Along with him are Spy magazine reporters James Stewart and Ruth Hussey who want all the dirt, although Stewart hates being put on a story that he would obviously like to see utilized as a bird cage liner.A biting commentary on the idiocy of high society and its domination of much of the press, this spoofs the lives of socialites like Barbara button (ironically one of Grant's wives), Doris Duke and Brenda Fraser, all "poor little rich girls" whose lives became daily copy for society columns and really not worth much. Barry gives it good to these ladies through leading lady Hepburn who us in denial of her image as a "goddess", claiming that she wants to be loved, not worshiped, but entirely one dimensional in her definition of what love is. Barry makes it clear that it us through the fault of society for creating these images, and the individual families for allowing them to believed. At first, Tracy leads Stewart on in that goddess image, but his direct approach with her opens her eyes to the ridiculousness of her life. So by the night before her wedding, she's got three men after her, all for different reasons.When her father arrives and eventually describes to his daughter's face her lack of a loving heart, the look on Hepburn's face is pure destruction even though she responds in denial. She's got a rather dizzy mother (Mary Nash), a directly honest, trouble making sister (an outrageously hysterical Virginia Weidler) and a fight to the death for her honor uncle (Roland Young) who takes a fancy to the sardonic Hussey. What a swell party indeed this will be, especially under the direction of George Cukor.While Stewart won the Best Actor Oscar for this, I would have preferred to see him nominated in the supporting actor category. He's brilliant in his performance, but it is not a focus in the story in spite of some terrific scenes. Grant scored in this and two other comedies ("His Girl Friday" and "My Favorite Wife") and deserved the leading nomination with Henry Fonda the deserving winner. Hepburn gave quite a different performance than her earlier RKO work, and this is a step above in sophistication her almost as brilliant work in Barry's "Holiday" remake. But overall, this is classic screwball romantic comedy at its best, pretty much flawless, and it's unfortunate that Hepburn never worked with either Grant or Stewart again.

The Philadelphia Story is a good movie with a well developed plot and a charming cast. The performances are, without any doubt, what holds the whole film together, Katherine Hepburn shines as the leading lady and her on screen chemistry with Hollywood legends Cary Grant and James Stewart is outstanding. The individual relationships between each character is what made the whole film intriguing to view. I do think it is a bit of an overstatement to label this as a comedy. It is a feel good drama that has humorous elements to it, but it is not necessarily funny, especially when you compare it to the proper comedies made by the likes of Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers during this era of film. The plot is also very straight forward, it flows by so easily that you forget there is even an objective that the protagonist is trying to overcome. There is never a moment where Tracy or any other character seems to be struggling. I do not blame the actors, but the writers for not making their issues seem vital, something that we would want them, as viewers, to defeat.The film is very sweet, the immense charm of the story itself and the lead make it a pleasant viewing. Well acted and somewhat enchanting, The Philadelphia Story may be flawed, but it is still worth the watch if you are looking for a good romance, just do not go out of your way to see it. A woman begins to learn to truth about herself when two past lovers make her conflicted about her arranged marriage. Best Performance: James Stewart

The Philadelphia Story is perhaps the greatest Romantic Comedy of all time. Katherine Hepburn is wonderful I might even go as far as to say its one of Katherine's greatest ever roles. She plays a very very funny Tracy Lord, she previously played this role on stage just about 1 year previously and in the film she was just as amazing. She spends the whole movie taking the mickey out of Carry Grant and Jimmy Stewart. Carry Grant plays a reporter who is in love with Tracy, and Jimmy plays Tracy's ex husband. Excellent support from Virgina Weidler and Ruth Hussey.A Hilarious film with some wonderful scenes. I can't recommend it enough. 10 out of 10.