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The Man Who Came to Dinner

Play trailer Poster for The Man Who Came to Dinner Released Jan 1, 1941 1h 52m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family, the Stanleys. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside's assistant, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), he interferes with that as well.

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Here, in the space of an hour and fifty-two minutes, is compacted what is unquestionably the most vicious but hilarious cat-clawing exhibition ever put on the screen, a deliciously wicked character portrait and a helter-skelter satire, withal. Rated: 4.5/5 Sep 30, 2006 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins By the time Jimmy Durante shows up for an extended cameo, some of the sustained hysterics have already worn thin. Rated: 7/10 Aug 13, 2020 Full Review Armond White Out Magazine The originality of Woolley’s commanding, erudite, confirmed bachelor -- he’s the greatest “funny uncle” of all time -- lies in his subtle familiarity. Apr 19, 2018 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Wonderful cast, story and direction in classic comedy. Rated: 5/5 Aug 14, 2007 Full Review Don Willmott Filmcritic.com Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 30, 2006 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Monty Woolley repeats his stage role in this smart adaptation of Kaufman and Hart's Broadway play, inspired by the Algonquin celebs (Alexander Woolcott, Harpo Marx, Noel Coward). Rated: B+ Jul 11, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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joe d Funny, articulate ,witty and sniping. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Charyl R Well written, superb cast and some penguins thrown in to shake things up. Bette Davis is fabulous, Ann Sheridan is gorgeous and the fact they could not stand one another is very thinly veiled. This movie has been an annual event for a reason. I highly recommend Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/16/23 Full Review Steve D Nowhere near as fun as it should be given the cast. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This is one of the worst films I've ever wasted my time watching. The storyline is an unfunny, boring bag of utter garbage loaded with unnecessary dialogue and characters. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Excellent, clever, fun and funny! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/10/21 Full Review Audience Member I enjoyed this film, based on the stage play of the same name, which was a blend of situational comedy and satire. Monty Woolley was a real treat as the titular "man", reprising the role he embodied for the stage, and it should be noted I am mentioning him first in a film starring Bette Davis. That is no slight to Davis who played her part quite well leaving the melodramatics (which I admit are when I usually like her best) off screen this time around, bringing a more effectively balanced and measured performance than is usually called for from her. The plot was actually a bit complex for a comedy but definitely added to the quality of the film, despite still feeling a bit long at almost two hours. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Man Who Came to Dinner

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Cast & Crew

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The Man Who Came to Dinner

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family, the Stanleys. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside's assistant, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), he interferes with that as well.
Director
William Keighley
Producer
Jerry Wald, Jack L. Warner
Screenwriter
Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Moss Hart, George S. Kaufman
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Warner Brothers, First National Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.37:1)