The Man Who Came to Dinner
A stranded celebrity lecturer transforms a wealthy Ohio household into his personal playground of romantic schemes, caustic insults, and festive chaos.
Overview
A witty and mischievous guest turns a family's life upside down with his antics.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sardonic
- irreverent
- holiday viewing
- classic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's superb ensemble, Monty Woolley's commanding comic performance, and sparklingly cynical dialogue, while finding the opening slow and the fast-moving plot somewhat overlong or complex.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sheridan Whiteside turns an enforced stay in an Ohio family's home into a platform for controlling everyone around him.
Whiteside's alliterative tirades and the characters' sparkling cynical dialogue drive the film's comic energy.
The household becomes increasingly chaotic as Whiteside meddles in the family's relationships and decisions.
Whiteside uses his supposedly broken leg and wheelchair-bound status to secure control while secretly knowing he can walk.
Films like The Man Who Came to Dinner, and why
The Philadelphia Story
fast-talking screwball comedy built around an overbearing guest, romantic complications, and a crowded household ensemble
His Girl Friday
sharp romantic comedy with witty dialogue, class satire, and strong competing personalities
Arsenic and Old Lace
classic screwball farce featuring an intrusive outsider, escalating domestic chaos, and rapid-fire comic performances
My Man Godfrey
ensemble-driven comedy of manners with theatrical wit, romantic entanglements, and cynical social satire
Movie Details
- Director
- William Keighley
- Release Date
- 1941-12-24
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (101)
Cast
- Bette Davis
- Ann Sheridan
- Monty Woolley
- Richard Travis
- Jimmy Durante
- Billie Burke
- Reginald Gardiner
- Elisabeth Fraser
- Grant Mitchell
- George Barbier
Common questions
- What is The Man Who Came to Dinner about?
- A stranded celebrity lecturer transforms a wealthy Ohio household into his personal playground of romantic schemes, caustic insults, and festive chaos.
- What is The Man Who Came to Dinner like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Man Who Came to Dinner as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Man Who Came to Dinner violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Man Who Came to Dinner.
- What did critics think of The Man Who Came to Dinner?
- Critics broadly praised the film's superb ensemble, Monty Woolley's commanding comic performance, and sparklingly cynical dialogue, while finding the opening slow and the fast-moving plot somewhat overlong or complex.
- Which films are like The Man Who Came to Dinner?
- Films with a similar feel include The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace, and My Man Godfrey.
- How long is The Man Who Came to Dinner?
- The Man Who Came to Dinner runs 112 minutes.
