The Man Who Came to Dinner

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The Man Who Came to Dinner

1941,

1h 52m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

88%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family, the Stanleys. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside's assistant, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), he interferes with that as well.

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Sep 30, 2006

4.5/5

Here, in the space of an hour and fifty-two minutes, is compacted what is unquestionably the most vicious but hilarious cat-clawing exhibition ever put on the screen, a deliciously wicked character portrait and a helter-skelter satire, withal.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 26, 2026

3.5/4

Just when it seems that this can’t get any funnier, along comes Jimmy Durante.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 13, 2020

7/10

By the time Jimmy Durante shows up for an extended cameo, some of the sustained hysterics have already worn thin.

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Armond White

Out Magazine

Apr 19, 2018

The originality of Woolley’s commanding, erudite, confirmed bachelor -- he’s the greatest “funny uncle” of all time -- lies in his subtle familiarity.

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Aug 14, 2007

5/5

Wonderful cast, story and direction in classic comedy.

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Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

Sep 30, 2006

2.5/5

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Harry S

Apr 16, 2019

It would be hard to top a classic like this. This play had a very successful run on Broadway, and although they looked for Hollywood actors to play Sheridan Whiteside, they couldn't find any who could keep up with the quick, witty, urbane dialog, and had to turn to the man who had performed for years in this role on Broadway, Monty Wooley. What we get is lots of action with a purpose. Wooley is always barking orders and others learn to love him or hate him. The pace is quick, and the wit and charm of the play carry over nicely to the large screen. Although Bette Davis is quite good in her role, this is Monty Wooley's movie and it is refreshing to see her take a subservient role to the production in order to make it the legend it has become.

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Feb 1, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Poe R

Dec 20, 2017

This is my favorite Christmas movie! It is a time capsule of the early 1940's with all the then sophistication the public could handle. This is one of the "nicest" roles Bette Davis ever played on screen. This is a classic.

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Rey L

Dec 17, 2017

I have always loved Monte Woolley and this is his best film with a wonderful script by Kaufman and Hart and a stellar cast. This film is a perennial favorite of mine that has kept its sparkle year after year and watch after watch.

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Luke P

Dec 15, 2017

Pompous and callous without any overall redeeming quality. Slight moments of witty dialogue do not make up for such a lack of charm.

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Draco R

Jun 20, 2017

Upbeat, fast-paced, amusing comedy set around the Christmas season

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William Keighley

Director

Monty Woolley

Sheridan Whiteside

Bette Davis

Maggie Cutler

Ann Sheridan

Lorraine Sheldon

Richard Travis

Bertram H. "Bert" Jefferson

Jimmy Durante

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Synopsis

While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family, the Stanleys. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside's assistant, Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), he interferes with that as well.

Director: William Keighley
Producer: Jerry Wald, Jack L. Warner
Screenwriter: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Moss Hart, George S. Kaufman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, First National Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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