The Philadelphia Story

George Cukor, 1940
NR; 112 minutes

“Miss Hepburn has accomplished the thing she set out to do with both movie and stage play. She has made the showmen who labeled her box-office poison eat their words and rue the day they were ever so uncomplimentary.” —Katherine Howard, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart star in this classic, multiple Academy Award-winning romantic comedy based on a play by Philip Barry. On the eve of Tracy Samantha Lord’s (Hepburn) wedding, her blue-blood ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), returns. Having discovered that a national tabloid plans to do an expose on Tracy’s philandering father, C.K. agrees to smuggle a reporter (James Stewart) into her wedding if the magazine will kill the salacious story. But C.K. never expects that the woman he still loves will suddenly fall for the undercover reporter. Before the evening is over, Tracy is forced to take an unflinching look at herself and to decide which of these three men she truly loves.

The “My Favorite Films” series features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism with films since 1945. These films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they continue draw you in once more. While many of these films are available through streaming, it’s always more fun to see them in the theatre. This November, escape into the warmth of laughter and celebrate the season with these cinematic adventures of the heart.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online. Click here to purchase tickets online.