The Man Who Came To Dinner Blu-ray Review
“The Man Who Came To Dinner “ is a laugh riot.
Based on the Broadway stage play, 1941’s “The Man Who Came To Dinner” is a film adaptation penned by Philip. G. and Julius. J. Epstein. How does one exactly describe this work of art? It’s a screwball comedy, a Christmas movie, and an ahead of its time comedy that does not feel like it’s from the 40s. The story revolves around a bearded celebrity radio personality (among other things) named Sheridan Whiteside who has arrived in a small Ohio town for a lecture. While en route to dine with a family (the Stanleys), he slips and falls on their steps and is forced to cancel his lecture and stay at their home to heal up. While there he orders everyone around, conducts business from their home, takes meetings and is a general nuisance to everyone. He especially drives the head of the household Ernest Stanley batty. While there are a number of subplots juggled about, the core story here involves Sheridan attempting to sabotage a blossoming romance between his secretary Maggie and a newspaper man (Bert) so that she won’t quit on him. Keep in mind, Sheridan is a larger than life, well connected, egotist with a loud mouth. He’s demanding, insulting, dismissive and is generally a quick witted jerk. He likes things to go his way, but maybe just maybe he will see things Maggie’s way.
Director William Keighley’s “The Man Who Came To Dinner” has been one of my most anticipated Blu-ray releases and at long last it’s finally here. The film is a genuine Christmas classic that is not as celebrated as it should be. It’s a truly madcap comedy that features an octopus, penguins, a surprise murderer, and, yes, even Jimmy Durante. The dialogue is sharp, rapid fire, and undeniably hilarious, but more than that, it’s just a great character piece. Sheridan Whiteside is one of the great characters on stage and in cinema. He’s entirely full of himself and sometimes cruel, but his wit and grasp of the English language somehow makes him nothing short of fascinating. He’s the type of person that does not suffer fools and is always plotting something. Seeing him navigate the chaotic circumstances he finds himself in is really what makes the movie work wonders.
Speaking of Sheridan, this was the role Monty Woolley was born to play. He inhabits the character and makes it his own in a way that you just don’t see very often. Woolley is accompanied by many acting greats here such as Bette Davis, the aforementioned Jimmy Durante, Anne Sheridan, Billie Burke, and Grant Mitchell. The casting is simply first rate.
I could go on and on about the joys of “The Man Who Came To Dinner,” but it’s best to experience it for yourself. Pick this one up.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p B&W. How does it look? Taken from a 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative, this is a respectable restoration. The image is a little fuzzy, but the picture quality is noticeably sharper.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Viewers can expect a nice clean audio track.
Extras:
* A musical short titled “Glen Gray And His Casa Loma Orchestra”
* A cartoon called “The Wabbit Who Came To Supper.”
* “The Man Who Came To Dinner” theatrical trailer
* 2 radio drama adaptations- A Hotpoint Holiday Hour broadcast from 1949 with Jack Benny and Rosalind Russell and a Lux Radio Theater broadcast from 1950 with Clifton Webb and Lucille Ball.
* “Inside A Classic Comedy”- An archival featurette on the film.
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