The Philadelphia Story: A Tale of One Play, Two Films, and a Whole Lot of High Society Hijinks
Ah, The Philadelphia Story. A timeless tale of a headstrong socialite, her philandering ex-husband, and a gaggle of reporters thrown into the mix for good measure. Cary Grant's charm offensive? Check. Katharine Hepburn's icy brilliance? Double check. James Stewart's bewildered bemusement? Let's just say, this 1940 screwball comedy is a cinematic martini, perfectly chilled and oh-so-delicious.
But what if we told you The Philadelphia Story wasn't quite as unique as it seemed? Buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving down a rabbit hole of remakes, reboots, and recycled Hollywood magic!
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| How Many Remakes Of The Philadelphia Story |
From Stage to Screen: The OG Philadelphia Story
The story actually began life as a Broadway play in 1939, penned by the witty Philip Barry. It was such a hit that Hollywood came knocking, and bam! We had the 1940 film starring the aforementioned dream team of Grant, Hepburn, and Stewart.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
This cinematic gem was a smash success, garnering six Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture) and solidifying Hepburn's comeback after a string of flops (sorry, but someone had to say it!).
Fun Fact: James Stewart actually won an Oscar that year, but many believe it was a consolation prize for his even more acclaimed performance in Smith Goes to Washington that same year. Participation trophy? Maybe. But hey, an Oscar's an Oscar!
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High Society Swings In: The Musical Makeover
Now, Hollywood loves a good formula, and ten years later, The Philadelphia Story got the musical treatment. Enter High Society (1956), starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra.
This time around, the socialite is played by the ever-elegant Grace Kelly, with Crosby as her smooth-talking ex and Sinatra as the reporter with a heart of gold (and a voice like velvet). The addition of Cole Porter tunes and some splashy dance numbers certainly jazzed things up.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
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Side Note: Louis Armstrong even makes a cameo appearance as himself, because why not?
So, How Many Remakes Are We Talking About Here?
The short answer: Technically, only one. High Society is a direct adaptation of The Philadelphia Story, albeit with a musical twist. There aren't any straight-up remakes (looking at you, Hollywood) with a completely different cast and setting.
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There have, however, been radio adaptations and television versions over the years, but those are more like echoes of the original film's brilliance.
But wait! Isn't there a remake with Julia Roberts somewhere in the mix? Well, not exactly. There's a film called I Love Trouble (1994) starring Roberts and Nick Nolte that borrows heavily from the The Philadelphia Story plot, but it's a modern-day take with a focus on warring journalists instead of socialites.
So You Want to Be a Philadelphia Story Expert? How To...
- Hold a viewing party: Dim the lights, pop some popcorn, and gather your friends for a double feature of The Philadelphia Story and High Society. Winner gets bragging rights on who delivers the best drunken-singing performance (looking at you, Tracy Lord).
- Brush up on your classic Hollywood knowledge: Dazzle your dinner companions with tales of Cary Grant's suave demeanor, Katharine Hepburn's fierce independence, and the undeniable coolness of a fedora.
- Write your own screwball comedy: Channel your inner Philip Barry and craft a hilarious story of mistaken identities, witty repartee, and maybe even a conga line or two.
There you have it! The not-so-complicated story of The Philadelphia Story and its (sort of) remake. Now go forth and spread the gospel of classic Hollywood comedies!
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