In this column we almost exclusively concentrate on new releases in the theater. But the cinematic experience does not have to be limited to new releases.
The Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, IN on a bi-monthly basis, shows classic films on the weekend. This past Saturday they showed one of the greatest films of all time, The Philadelphia Story (1940). We thought this would be a good time to highlight a film that modern audiences might not be completely familiar with.
In The Philadelphia Story, Katherine Hepburn stars as a rich socialite on the eve of her second marriage. Her ex (Cary Grant) shows up unannounced with a magazine writer (James Stewart) and photographer (Ruth Hussey). Needless-to-say the weekend does not go as planned.
Ryan: The mantra, they don't make' em like they used to, gets thrown around a lot. I even use it myself even though I don't totally agree with it all the time. But when it comes to romantic comedies it's completely justified. The romantic comedy genre is a breeding ground of mediocrity in today’s Hollywood so it's completely refreshing to watch a film that best capitulates how good a romantic comedy can be. The Philadelphia Story has a lot going for it (obviously) but one of the most remarkable things about the film is its timelessness. The movie is seventy years old but resonates in a more believable manner than most contemporary love stories.
Andy: It’s hard not to talk about the cast when thinking of The Philadelphia Story. A few years back, the American Film Institute counted down the top stars of all time. Grant and Steward were both placed in the top 3 on the male side, while Katherine Hepburn was in the top spot on the female list. So this movie boasts three of the biggest stars ever, and they are all in top form. Add to the mix Academy Award nominee Ruth Hussey and a recognizable and talented supporting cast, and the movie is worth watching just to see the actors work. But there is so much more going on than just those amazing performances that makes The Philadelphia Story one of the best movies ever made.
Ryan: From the impeccable screenplay to the polished direction, The Philadelphia Story is the very definition of a classic golden age Hollywood production. But there's no doubt that the definitive highlight of the film are performances by the three leads. Here's a film with three of the greatest film stars of all time delivering arguable their best most well-rounded performances. It's not each one's most famous performance. But the interaction and interplay between Hepburn, Grant and Stewart is iconic and that's what makes the movie so memorable and completely watchable to this day.
Andy: The Philadelphia Story is based on a play by the same name, and is generally credited with reviving Katherine Hepburn’s floundering career. The script is expertly written, with the complexity of the relationships building and building until the deadline of the impending wedding finally arrives. The Philadelphia Story is instantly likeable, but it somehow gets better and better over the course of its 112 minutes.
The Philadelphia Story is probably as close to perfect as a romantic comedy can get, earning it an A+.
For those that want a break from current new releases or for those that just want to enjoy a classic movie on the big screen, the Artcraft's schedule can be viewed at their website, http://www.historicartcrafttheatre.org/home.html.
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