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Desk Set

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Desk Set 1957 1h 43m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 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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Desk Set

Desk Set

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve M. Great movie and prescient with today’s AI. Great comedy and beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/19/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Desk Set

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Cast & Crew

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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

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Desk Set

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Movie Info

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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