The Philadelphia Story (1940) DVD Review

Jason Lockard April 22, 2025

Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn made three films together Sylvia Scarlett (1935), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Holiday (1938). But in 1940 they were joined by another Hollywood heavyweight in James Stewart for the romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story. It is hard to believe that this film is 85 years old.

Now for that epic anniversary Warner Brothers Home Entertainment have repackaged and released The Philadelphia Story on Made-On-Demand DVD.

Synopsis: On the eve of Tracy Samantha Lord's (Katherine Hepburn) wedding, her blue-blood ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), returns. C.K. discovered that a national tabloid plans to do an expose on Tracy's philandering father and has agreed to smuggle a reporter (James Stewart) into her wedding if the magazine kills the story on the elder Lord. But C.K. never expects that the woman he still loves will suddenly fall for the undercover reporter. Now, before the evening is over, Tracy will be forced to take an unflinching look at herself and to realize which of these three men she truly loves.

When you think of classic romantic comedies in cinema history it doesn't get much better than The Philadelphia Story.

The screenplay is a masterpiece. The acting of course is spectacular and the direction by George Cukor is simply the best. This could easily be considered Cukor's best film. but let's be honest here, he directed Gaslight (1944), Adam's Rib (1949), Born Yesterday (1950), A Star Is Born (1954), Bhowani Junction (1956), and won the Academy Award for Best Director for My Fair Lady (1964). So his has got an amazing filmography.

The Philadelphia Story deservingly was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Outstanding Production (Best Picture). But scored two wins one Best Actor for Stewart and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film has been transferred to MOD DVD. The film is presented in the original theatrical full screen format. The audio track is a Dolby digital 2.0. There is also subtitle options in English, French and Spanish.

This transfer is really beautiful. The black and white picture is crisp and clean, with great definition. The Audio is clear with no hiss or pops. Warner Brothers put there best foot forward with this film transfer.

Bonus features
* Commentary by Historian Jeanine Basinger

* George Cukor Movie Trailer Gallery
- Dinner At Eight, Little Women, The Women, The Philadelphia Story and Gaslight

* List of Awards the Philadelphia Story won

I like that Warner Brothers Home Entertainment added trailers and a wonderful commentary top this disc. But the one beef I have is that yes this is a made-on-demand disc. I would have much preferred a pressed DVD. Pressed DVD disc have a much longer shelf life.

But in the end I am just glad to see this classic romantic comedy get another release. Maybe this will cause younger people to discover the other films of George Cukor, or the talents of James Stewart, Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant.

If you love classic Hollywood romantic comedies The Philadelphia Story is one of the best. You can add this Made-on-demand DVD disc to your collection by heading over to Amazon or Physical Media Land and order your copy today.