Birthday Screening: The Philadelphia Story (1940), dir. George Cukor
Everyman Cinema, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2NH
THIS EVENT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED

Wednesday 18 January 2017, 6pm

Rating: U
Running time: 1hr, 52mins

As a special celebration of Archie Leach’s birth on 18 Jan 1904, we’re screening the classic “battle of the sexes” comedy, The Philadelphia Story, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart in Bristol’s finest heritage movie theatre, the newly refurbished Everyman Cinema, nee Whiteladies Picture House.

A poster for George Cukor's 1940 romantic comedy 'The Philadelphia Story', starring (left to right) Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Haughty Philadelphia socialite Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn) learns to accept her own imperfections and develop “an understanding heart” in this romantic high-society romp. On the eve of her wedding to adoring, but pedestrian George Kitteridge (John Howard), Tracy spars verbally with her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), drinks too much champagne, and nearly falls in love with handsome tabloid reporter, Macaulay “Mike” Connor (James Stewart).


Dexter tries to protect Tracy from Mike and his photographer, Liz Imbrie (Ruth Hussey), who have been sent from Spy Magazine to dig dirt on the wedding of the year. After a drunken episode in a swimming pool, George suspects Tracy of infidelity with Mike. Insulted by his lack of trust, Tracy calls off the wedding – only all the guests have arrived and are waiting for the service to begin. Who will she take up the alter?

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Directed by George Cukor, who also directed Grant and Hepburn in Sylvia Scarlett (1935) and Holiday (1938). With sparkling dialogue, radiant performances from three of Hollywood’s most legendary stars, this intelligent, sophisticated romantic comedy is classic screwball at its best.

Tickets: £13 / £11 Concessions

Tickets will be available on Everyman’s website shortly.