The Man Who Came to Dinner

Released Jan 1, 1941

1h 52m

Comedy

List

86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

81%

Audience Score

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.

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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

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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

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Steve D

Nowhere near as fun as it should be given the cast.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/27/23

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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

Audience Member

Bette Davis in her most likable role with an esteemed supporting cast. Great writing and directing. Lighting fast and snappy dialoge make this a must-see every Christmas season

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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William Keighley

Director

Monty Woolley

Sheridan Whiteside

Bette Davis

Maggie Cutler

Ann Sheridan

Lorraine Sheldon

Richard Travis

Bertram H. "Bert" Jefferson

Jimmy Durante

Banjo

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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: Hal B. Wallis
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)