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The Man Who Came to Dinner (1972 film)

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The Man Who Came to Dinner
Based onThe Man Who Came to Dinner
1939 play
by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Screenplay bySam Denoff
Bill Persky
Directed byBuzz Kulik
StarringOrson Welles
Lee Remick
Joan Collins
Music byRoy Budd
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerSam Denoff
Running time73 minutes
Production companiesFoote, Cone and Belding Productions
Original release
ReleaseNovember 29, 1972 (1972-11-29)

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 1972 American TV adaptation of the 1939 play The Man Who Came to Dinner by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It was directed by Buzz Kulik for Hallmark Hall of Fame.[1][2] The film was broadcast on November 29, 1972.[3]

Plot summary

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Sheridan Whiteside, a sharp-tongued and famous radio critic, is on a lecture tour in Ohio when he slips on the icy steps of the home of the prominent Stanley family and breaks his hip. Forced to convalesce in their home during the Christmas holidays, Whiteside takes over the household, turning the Stanley home into a whirlwind of chaos.

The already dramatic situation is further complicated by a series of events: Whiteside’s secretary, Maggie Cutler, falls in love with a local newspaper reporter named Bert Jefferson. To keep Maggie from leaving his employ, Whiteside schemes to have his actress friend, Lorraine Sheldon, come and lure Bert away from Maggie. Additionally, Whiteside has to deal with a variety of eccentric characters who visit him during his convalescence, including the strange Professor Metz and the eccentric actor Beverly Carlton.

As Whiteside continues his manipulations and the Stanley home becomes more chaotic with penguins in the library and octopi in the cellar, it’s revealed that he has been well enough to leave for some time but has stayed for his own amusement and purposes. However, his ruses are eventually revealed, leading to a series of comedic confrontations and resolutions.

In the end, Whiteside leaves the Stanley household, but not before causing a final bit of mischief. As he’s departing, he slips on the icy steps again, implying that the entire comedic cycle might begin anew.

Cast

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Wickes recreated the role she originated on Broadway in 1939 and which she played in the 1942 film version.[3]

Production

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Orson Welles had been offered the role of Sheridan Whiteside on Broadway but turned it down because of the time commitment although he always loved the play.[4] Welles later said that declining the stage production was smart "because if you've seen the film you'll know it was awful and there was no way for anybody to be good in it."[3] The play was adapted and updated for the modern day by Sam Denoff and Bill Persky, who turned Whiteside into a TV talk show host.[4]

The story is based in Ohio but was videotaped in Southampton, England to accommodate Welles who did not want to return to the U.S. due to tax difficulties.[3]

Reception

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The Los Angeles Times called it "a splendid romp".[5] Variety singled out the performances by Collins, Andrews, Wickes, Gough, Braden, and Knotts, while saying "None of the others in the extensive cast was less than good."[3]

References

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  1. ^ INSIDE TV: Star of CBS Film to Make Broadway Bow Los Angeles Times 6 Oct 1972: e22.
  2. ^ Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Now? By MARK SHIVASLONDON. New York Times 26 Nov 1972: D13.
  3. ^ a b c d e Cox, Stephen; Marhanka, Kevin (2008). The Incredible Mr. Don Knotts. Cumberland House. pp. 115–117. ISBN 9781581826586.
  4. ^ a b ORSON WELLES PLAYS 'THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINER': Orson Welles: the perpetual who came to dinner 'THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER' Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 26 Nov 1972: r1.
  5. ^ 'Dinner' Updated for Romp on TV Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 30 Nov 1972: e17.
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