Tonight's Movie: The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The Christmas classic THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942) has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

Monty Woolley repeats his Broadway role as Sheridan Whiteside, a world-famous raconteur and radio host who finds himself spending an extended time in the Ohio home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley (Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke) after he slips and falls in an accident.

Whiteside is an obnoxious houseguest who terrifies his nurse (Mary Wickes, also from the Broadway cast) while hosting a succession of visitors (Ann Sheridan, Reginald Gardiner, and Jimmy Durante), not to mention a crateful of penguins -- and an octopus!

Bette Davis plays Whiteside's secretary Maggie, who tolerates his childish tantrums, seeming to understand the mostly hidden positive aspects of his character, until he finally exasperates even her when he tries to break up her budding romance with a local newspaperman (Richard Travis).

This is a very entertaining film, though Woolley's Whiteside is sometimes a bit hard to take, particularly early in the film when he is simply terrible to everyone around him.

That said, the movie gradually picks up speed, becoming funnier and more engaging as it goes. Part of the credit for that goes to Gardiner, Sheridan, and Durante, who are all wonderful as Whiteside's friends.

Sheridan as a mercenary actress is hilarious, especially when she's alternating cooing and barking orders over the phone, and I've always loved the jovial Gardiner in this, wishing he had a larger role.

Another reason the movie becomes more likeable is viewers are gradually allowed to see a more human side of Whiteside, who is so kind to the servants (Edwin Stanley and Betty Roadman) that they jump at the chance to work for him when he poaches them from the Stanleys.

Once Whiteside realizes how badly he's hurt Maggie, he sets about to make things right, while also trying to encourage the Stanleys' children June and Richard (Elisabeth Fraser and Russell Arms) to pursue their hearts' desires; June wants to marry handsome Sandy (a young Charles Drake).

This is a quiet role for Davis, albeit in a funny movie; she almost seems miscast, but when she launches into Whiteside for his childish behavior it's quite a satisfying moment which makes one glad she's in the film. Travis is pleasant, if rather bland, as her beau.

Character performances don't come any better than Grant Mitchell and Billie Burke as the Stanleys; they're hilarious, as well as a bit touching. Burke's reaction to receiving a call from Eleanor Roosevelt near the end of the movie is particularly delightful.

The extensive cast also includes George Barbier, John Ridgely, Ruth Vivian, and Nanette Vallon.

The screenplay for this 112-minute film was by Julius J. Epstein from the stage play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

The movie was directed by William Keighley, with black and white cinematography by Tony Gaudio.

The Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray print is from a 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative. As with most Warner Archive Blu-rays, the print is outstanding, with a fine soundtrack.

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER comes with an impressive package of extras, including the trailer (which has glimpses of scenes not in the film); the featurette THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER: INSIDE A CLASSIC COMEDY (from the 2006 DVD release); a cartoon, THE WABBIT WHO CAME TO SUPPER (1942); the short GLEN GRAY AND THE CASA LOMA ORCHESTRA (1942), directed by Jean Negulesco, and two radio productions.

The Lux Radio Theater production, from March 1950, stars Clifton Webb and Lucille Ball along with well-known radio performers Eleanor Audley and Betty Lou Gerson. The December 1949 Hotpoint Holiday Hour radio show stars an incredible cast: Jack Benny, Charles Boyer, Rosalind Russell, Gene Kelly, Dorothy McGuire, and Gregory Peck.

For additional thoughts on THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, please visit my 2011 review.

Both THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and the Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray are recommended.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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