The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 1942 American screwball comedy film directed by William Keighley, and starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan and, as the titular character, Monty Woolley. The screenplay by Julius and Philip G. Epstein is based on the 1939 play The Man Who Came to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The supporting cast features Jimmy Durante and Billie Burke.
Plot
While passing through small-town Ohio during a cross-country lecture tour, notoriously acerbic New York radio personality Sheridan Whiteside breaks his hip after slipping and falling on the icy steps of the house of the Stanleys, a prominent Ohio family with whom he's supposed to dine as a publicity stunt. He insists on recuperating in their home during the Christmas holidays.
The overbearing, self-centered celebrity soon comes to dominate the lives of the residents and everyone else who enters the household, including a shipment of four live penguins. He encourages young adults Richard and June Stanley to pursue their dreams, much to the dismay of their conventional father, Ernest.
Meanwhile, Whiteside's assistant Maggie Cutler finds herself attracted to local newspaperman Bert Jefferson. When Bert reads his play to her, she is so impressed she asks Whiteside to show it to his contacts and then announces she will quit his employment and marry Bert.
Her boss is loath to lose such an efficient aide and does his best to sabotage the blossoming romance. He also exaggerates the effects of his injuries to be able to stay in the house to further his sabotage. He suggests actress Lorraine Sheldon would be perfect for one of the leading roles, intending to have her steal Bert away from Maggie. Lorraine convinces Bert to spend time with her to fix up the play.
When Maggie realizes Whiteside is behind the underhanded scheme, she quits. Somewhat chastened, Whiteside concocts a plan to get Lorraine out of the way, with the help of his friend Banjo. They trap Lorraine in an Egyptian sarcophagus, and Banjo ships her off to Nova Scotia.
Finally fed up with his shenanigans, meddling, insults, and unbearable personality, Mr. Stanley swears out a warrant ordering Whiteside to leave in 15 minutes. However, with seconds to spare, Whiteside blackmails Mr. Stanley into dropping the warrant, and allowing his children to do as they please by threatening to reveal Stanley's sister Harriet's past as an infamous axe murderess.
As Whiteside departs — he falls on the Stanleys' icy steps again and is carried back inside, much to Stanley's consternation.
Cast
Bette Davis as Maggie Cutler
Ann Sheridan as Lorraine Sheldon
Monty Woolley as Sheridan Whiteside
Richard Travis as Bert Jefferson
Jimmy Durante as Banjo
Billie Burke as Mrs. Ernest Stanley (Daisy) Reginald Gardiner as Beverly Carlton Elisabeth Fraser as June Stanley Grant Mitchell as Ernest Stanley George Barbier as Dr. Bradley Mary Wickes as Miss Preen Russell Arms as Richard Stanley Ruth Vivian as Harriet Stanley Edwin Stanley as John Betty Roadman as Sarah Charles Drake as Sandy Nanette Vallon as Cosette John Ridgely as Radio man
Uncredited
(in order of appearance)
Dudley DickersonPorter at train station
Patrick McVeyHarry, the baggage clerk
Roland DrewReporter
Ernie AdamsMichaelson
Leslie BrooksHollywood blonde
Georgia CarrollHollywood blonde
Bess FlowersFan at train station
Florence WixFan at train station
Leah BairdFan at train station
Lottie WilliamsFan at train station
Sol GorssChauffeur
Beal WongChinese guest
Kam TongChinese guest
Creighton HaleRadio man
Hank MannExpressman
Eddy ChandlerGuard
Fred KelseyDetective
Frank MayoPlainclothesman
Jack MowerPlainclothesman
Alix TaltonChorus girl
Frank MoranHaggerty
Cast notes
Monty Woolley, Ruth Vivian, and Mary Wickes reprised their roles from the original Broadway production. Russell Arms made his screen debut.
Production
Four of the leading characters are based on real-life personalities. Sheridan Whiteside was inspired by celebrated critic and Algonquin Round Table member Alexander Woollcott, who eventually played the role on stage; Lorraine Sheldon by musical stage actress Gertrude Lawrence; Beverly Carlton by playwright and renowned wit Noël Coward; and Banjo by Algonguin Round Table member Harpo Marx.