The Philadelphia Story: A Tale of One Play, Many Lives (and Maybe a Few Identity Crises)
Ah, The Philadelphia Story. A timeless comedy of manners, socialite shenanigans, and the question of who gets to wear the most fabulous pajamas while contemplating the meaning of life. But did you know this play, much like a stubborn houseguest, just won't leave? That's right, we're diving into the world of remakes, where Hollywood (and television) decided one Philadelphia Story just wasn't enough.
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| How Many Remakes Of The Philadelphia Story Are There |
From Stage to Screen: The OG Philadelphia Story
It all began in 1939, when Philip Barry's play took Broadway by storm. Katharine Hepburn, the reigning queen of sass, played Tracy Lord, a socialite about to remarry despite still being hung up on her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (played by the dashing Cary Grant). Enter a tabloid reporter team thrown into the mix, and hilarity (and maybe a touch of self-discovery) ensues. This delightful chaos translated beautifully to the silver screen in 1940, with the film adaptation becoming a box office hit and nabbing two Oscars.
But wait, there's more! Apparently, Hollywood has a thing for weddings with cold feet and reporters with questionable ethics.
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
Guess Who's Coming to Remake Dinner? (and it's Not Your Favorite Aunt Mildred)
In 1956, MGM decided a musical twist was just what The Philadelphia Story needed. Enter "High Society," starring the ever-charming Bing Crosby, the luminous Grace Kelly, and the smooth-talking Frank Sinatra. The plot remained largely the same, but with the added bonus of catchy tunes (because, apparently, socialite angst is even better sung than spoken).
Fun Fact: High Society wasn't exactly a smash hit upon release. Critics weren't sure what to make of the musical numbers, and audiences perhaps felt the original film couldn't be topped. However, time has been kind to this remake, and it's now considered a delightful (and slightly campy) classic.
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
So, How Many Remakes Are There, Really?
Just the two, folks! The 1940 film and the 1956 musical, "High Society," are the only true remakes of The Philadelphia Story. There have been other adaptations, though. A 1959 television movie version stuck fairly close to the original film, and there was even a 1990 episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" that offered a hilarious (and very 90s) take on the story.
But hey, who are we to judge? Sometimes, a good story deserves to be retold, even if it means slightly tweaking the social commentary and adding a splash of song and dance.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
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The Philadelphia Story Remake FAQ
How to tell the difference between The Philadelphia Story and High Society? Easy! If the movie has musical numbers, it's High Society. If not, it's the original film.
How many times does Tracy Lord contemplate eloping in these films? Shockingly (or perhaps not so shockingly), the answer is twice. The girl likes her options.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
How many Oscars did the original film win? Two! One for Best Actor (James Stewart) and one for Best Adapted Screenplay.
How many times did Cary Grant play a charming ex-husband who makes his ex reconsider her life choices? At least twice that we know of. The man had a type, apparently.
How many times should you watch these movies? As many times as it takes to get your fill of witty dialogue, glamorous costumes, and the ever-important question: who gets Tracy Lord in the end?
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