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Post by cineclassics on Mar 3, 2023 12:04:04 GMT
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Post by cineclassics on Mar 3, 2023 12:16:52 GMT
It's Katherine Hepburn's comeback from being labeled "box office poison," and the film that firmly cemented her career, up against Billy Wilder's 1960 comedy-drama Best Picture winner.
The Philadelphia Story was nominated for 6 Academy Awards and won 2, Best Actor for James Stewart and Best Adapted Screenplay. Many in the industry believed his award was the Academy acknowledging that they got it wrong the year prior when Stewart went home empty handed for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Hepburn was also nominated for Best Actress and the film for Best Picture. I personally believe this is an underrated performance for Grant, and he also should have received a nomination. A funny and charming romantic comedy with 3 of the great leads from Classic Hollywood.
If you like your romantic comedies with a bit more cynicism, The Apartment is right up your alley. Featuring one of Jack Lemmon's premiere lead performances, Shirley MacLaine will make you fall in love with her as the lovely elevator operator and you've got Fred MacMurray playing against type as the sleazeball boss, Billy Wilder's film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning 5, including Best Picture and Best Director.
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Post by BunnyWhit on Mar 3, 2023 15:47:00 GMT
I prefer Joseph Ruttenberg's cinematography to that of Joseph LaShelle, so The Philadelphia Story it is.
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Post by sepiatone on Mar 3, 2023 17:03:06 GMT
Sorry. Was never that big on PHILADELPHIA STORY. Like it, yes. But it just doesn't reach that high on my "favorites" list. Sure, maybe Stewart did deserve his Oscar, and Kate her "comeback". But Grant was just typical Grant which can bee seen in at least half of his earlier movies. Sometimes it does work. But or me, in this one it doesn't.
The same could probably be said of Lemmon's performance in THE APARTMENT. But it can be easily overlooked as for me, it has the more compelling story and sequence of events. And yes, I like much of the stark, straightforward cinematography in it over the too controlled lighting and shadow "out of a can" cinematography in PHILADELPHIA.
Sepiatone
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Post by sagebrush on Mar 4, 2023 22:56:54 GMT
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a fine comedy, although I was surprised to see it in TCM's Tuesday lineup up screwball comedies in February. It doesn't have any of the unbelievable events that screwballs are known for. Still, the film did a fine job of not showing its stage origins. Ruth Hussey, Roland Young and Virginia Weidler give my favorite performance.
THE APARTMENT draws me into the character's stories. When I watch it, I care about Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, want Fred MacMurray to get his "comeuppance" and root for Edie Adams when she calls MacMurray's wife. I also love the character of Dr. Dreyfuss, played by Jack Kruschen.
I'm not big on romance-themed films, but I get a big smile on my face whenever I watch Shirley MacCLaine running down the street to Jack Lemmon's apartment on New Year's morning as the film's theme song is played.
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Post by BingFan on Mar 5, 2023 1:11:29 GMT
I love both of these movies and could easily be happy with letting a coin flip determine my vote.
But putting more thought into it, I’ll have to go with THE PHILADELPHIA STORY because its three stars are probably my three favorite actors from the golden age, and they’re supported here by some pretty great character actors. Cukor is also one of my favorite directors.
That said, I could probably make a similar case for THE APARTMENT based on the outstanding lead and supporting actors and its director also being one of my favorites.
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Post by topbilled on Mar 5, 2023 2:42:14 GMT
I voted for THE PHILADELPHIA STORY because about ten years ago I hosted a series of classic film screenings at my public library. And for some reason, this one really captured the audience. We had a very good discussion afterward, and I think without that conversation, I never would have known just how special this picture is to some people!
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Post by sepiatone on Mar 5, 2023 16:25:00 GMT
"Some" being the operative word that invalidates these type of polls.
Sepiatone
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Post by Fading Fast on Mar 5, 2023 16:56:32 GMT
While I've thought about each pairing, up until now, the decisions, for me, have been pretty easy, but this one has me still thinking. Many above have made good arguments for one or the other of these two movies.
What I find, because I love and am very familiar with both, is that when I start to lean toward one or the other - "'TPS' is so iconic" or "'TA' doesn't have a bad scene and felt ahead of its time -" I still can't imagine voting against the other one.
Oh well, I have until the 8th.
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Post by cineclassics on Mar 8, 2023 0:29:39 GMT
While I've thought about each pairing, up until now, the decisions, for me, have been pretty easy, but this one has me still thinking. Many above have made good arguments for one or the other of these two movies.
What I find, because I love and am very familiar with both, is that when I start to lean toward one or the other - "'TPS' is so iconic" or "'TA' doesn't have a bad scene and felt ahead of its time -" I still can't imagine voting against the other one.
Oh well, I have until the 8th. It is tied 8-8...you could be the deciding vote! |
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Post by Lucky Dan on Mar 8, 2023 0:42:14 GMT
While I've thought about each pairing, up until now, the decisions, for me, have been pretty easy, but this one has me still thinking. |
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Post by Fading Fast on Mar 8, 2023 17:16:29 GMT
While I've thought about each pairing, up until now, the decisions, for me, have been pretty easy, but this one has me still thinking. Many above have made good arguments for one or the other of these two movies.
What I find, because I love and am very familiar with both, is that when I start to lean toward one or the other - "'TPS' is so iconic" or "'TA' doesn't have a bad scene and felt ahead of its time -" I still can't imagine voting against the other one.
Oh well, I have until the 8th. It is tied 8-8...you could be the deciding vote!
P.S. Stupid me got busy yesterday - life can do that to you - so I never got my vote in. |
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Post by cineclassics on Mar 8, 2023 18:03:14 GMT
I never decided on the tie breaker but perhaps both films can advance to the next round and we will have a run off between 3 films.
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Post by topbilled on Mar 8, 2023 19:06:35 GMT
I never decided on the tie breaker but perhaps both films can advance to the next round and we will have a run off between 3 films. |
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