Desk Set

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2:18

Desk Set

1957

1h 43m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

100%

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24 Reviews

83%

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5,000+ Ratings

Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) is a library reference clerk stuck in a dead-end relationship with a boring television executive (Gig Young). Her life is thrown into turmoil when computer expert Richard Summers (Spencer Tracy) enters it. He has been assigned with automating her department, and she is fearful that Summers' new computers will automate her out of a job. She despises him at first, but eventually each of the two start to fall for the other's charms and strong personalities.

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Critics Consensus

Desk Set reunites one of cinema's most well-loved pairings for a solidly crafted romantic comedy that charmingly encapsulates their timeless appeal.

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Mark Chalon Smith

Los Angeles Times

[I]t's still a witty, often diverting romantic comedy that further demonstrates how well the duo fit.

Jan 25, 2019

Full Review

Gwen Ihnat

AV Club

Drunken Christmas office parties and antiquated technology notwithstanding, the real fun in Desk Set is watching these two pros and longtime loves play off of each other for one of their final cinematic turns together.

Jan 25, 2019

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

[Miss Hepburn and Mr. Tracy] can tote phone books on their heads or balance feathers on their chins and be amusing -- which is about the size of what they do here.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Moira Walsh

America Magazine

It has, however, some notable advantages [over the stage version] in the shape of Miss Katherine Hepburn in the leading role (with Spencer Tracy thrown in for good measure opposite her).

Jul 14, 2021

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The Broadway comedy of two seasons ago has been turned into a somewhat draggy but pleasant movie.

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

It doesn't have the emotional heft of something like The Apartment but it's a delightful little comedy with a hint of Christmas in it for the holidays.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 6, 2019

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David F

This film about an efficiency expert sent into a corporate library to replace the librarians with a computer is a classic romcom with timely themes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a bit of a snoozer. The characters good with distinct personalities but it's a little too much like actual office life to keep my attention. Look, I'm playing with my phone right now!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

Full Review

jarrod r

I'm a librarian, so it's part of the "required viewing"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What film are people watching? There is not much of a story and you know the depth of each character within seconds of meeting them. Basically, Hepburn is a walking and talking human computer and Tracy is a bumbling older man who is supposed to be the world’s top computer innovator. Looking for some laughs and romance - check out the pair’s many other films. You won’t find it here.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/05/22

Full Review

deke p

CLASSIC, cuz STARS, & who can remember they actual had COMPUTERS in 1957!! Like UNIVAC! WALL size, with flashing lights, beep bop boops, & spinning tape reels. 1/4/2022 on the MOVIE CHANEL. Note to sef, really shd to watch a once agin star to fin

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

ionut m

A perfect movie for Christmas time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Walter Lang

Director

Spencer Tracy

Richard Sumner

Katharine Hepburn

Bunny Watson

Gig Young

Mike Cutler

Joan Blondell

Peg Costello

Dina Merrill

Sylvia Blair

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Desk Set: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) is a library reference clerk stuck in a dead-end relationship with a boring television executive (Gig Young). Her life is thrown into turmoil when computer expert Richard Summers (Spencer Tracy) enters it. He has been assigned with automating her department, and she is fearful that Summers' new computers will automate her out of a job. She despises him at first, but eventually each of the two start to fall for the other's charms and strong personalities.

Director: Walter Lang
Producer: Henry Ephron
Screenwriter: Henry Ephron, Phoebe Ephron
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 43m

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