Man Who Came To Dinner (1941)

"Delightful adaptastion of George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart play.  Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide

Editor's Note A pompous writer and critic forced to stay with a midwestern family during the winter thoroughly disrupts their well-ordered lives. Original play (1939) by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.

	Ann Sheridan
	Bette Davis
	Jimmy Durante
	Richard Travis
	Frederick Hollander - Original Music By
	George S. Kaufman - Based On Play By
	Hal B. Wallis - Executive Producer
	Jack Killifer - Editor
	Jack Saper - Producer
	Julius J. Epstein - Screenplay
	Moss Hart - Based On Play By
	Philip G. Epstein - Screenplay
	Tony Gaudio - Cinematographer
	William Keighley - Director

This hilariously witty satire contains caricatures of many famous celebrities -- Alexander Woollcott, Gertrude Lawrence, Noël Coward, Harpo Marx, and various members of New York's Algonquin Round Table.| While on his way to dinner at a suburban family's home, Sheridan Whiteside, an insufferably arrogant radio personality, accidentally falls and breaks his hip. Then the unwelcome, barbed-tongued guest stays on in their abode while he recovers. And, along with an offbeat cast of characters who come to visit him, he proceeds to drive his hosts round the bend!

"Please stand back, I have several contagious diseases." ---- Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY)

"Don't tell me how you are, Sherry, I want none of the tiresome details. I've very little time, and so the conversation will be entirely about me, and I shall love it. Shall I tell you how I glittered through the South Seas like a silver scimitar, or would you rather hear how I finished a three--act play with one hand and made love to a maharaja's daughter with the other?" ---- Beverly Carlton (REGINALD GARDINER) spoofing Noël Coward to Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY)

"I am now going upstairs to disconnect my radio, so that not even accidentally will I ever hear your voice again!" ---- Mr. Stanley (GRANT MITCHELL) to Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY)

"This aging debutante, Mr. Jefferson, I retain in my employ only because she is the sole support of her two--headed brother." ---- Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY) introducing his secretary to Bert Jefferson (RICHARD TRAVIS)

"Did you ever get the feeling that you wanted to go?|And still get the feeling that you wanted to stay?" ---- Banjo (JIMMY DURANTE) singing a song

"The greatest living argument for mercy killing." ---- Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY) describing his doctor

"You have the touch of a love--starved cobra." ---- Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY) to Miss Preen (MARY WICKES)

"My Great Aunt Jennifer ate a box of chocolates every day of her life. She lived to be a hundred and two, and when she had been dead three days she looked healthier than you do now." ---- Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY) to Miss Preen (MARY WICKES) when she won't let him eat chocolates

"I am not only walking out on this case, Mr. Whiteside, I am leaving the nursing profession. I became a nurse because all my life, ever since I was a little girl, I was filled with the idea of serving a suffering humanity. After one month with you, Mr. Whiteside, I am going to work in a munitions factory. From now on anything I can do to exterminate the human race will fill me with the greatest of pleasure. If Florence Nightingale had ever nursed you, Mr. Whiteside, she would have married Jack the Ripper instead of founding the Red Cross!" ---- Miss Preen (MARY WICKES) to Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY)

"I'se jes' a little wabbit in the sunshine, |I'se jes' a little wabbit in the wain." ---- ditty sung by Sheridan Whiteside (MONTY WOOLLEY)

Ozus' World Movie Reviews 8 of 10
A witty screwball comedy based on the play by Moss Hart & George Kaufman; the acidy screenplay is by twin brothers Julius J. Epstein & Philip G. Epstein. It's based loosely on waspish theater critic Alexander Woollcott (Woolley), while it caricatures other showbiz characters such as Noel Coward (Gardiner), Harpo Marx (Durante) and Tallulah Bankhead/Gertrude Lawrence (Sheridan). Its only problem is the uninspired helmsmanship by William Keighley but, nevertheless, the great cast mirthfully brings on the savage dialogue and relishes in the malicious nature of the satire. - Dennis Schwartz