'The Man Who Came To Dinner' is a 1942 movie based on the play of the same name by George Kaufman and Moss Hart. It stars Monty Wooley as Sheridan Whiteside, a prominent radio personality. While in Ohio during a cross country lecture tour, he is talked into having dinner at the home of the Stanleys, a wealthy local family. Upon arriving, he slips on their icy front step and falls, fracturing his hip and forcing him to recuperate over the Christmas holidays in the Stanley's house. |
One person in the house not intimidated or cowed by Whiteside is Maggie. She has worked for him for ten years and coolly counters his blustering and bellowing with humour and sarcasm. Improbable as it seems, she actually has an affection for her overbearing employer. Another is Mr. Stanley's sister Harriet, an eccentric figure who flits in and out of the room, shyly conversing with Whiteside and eventually giving him a Christmas present. Sheridan thinks that she looks familiar, but can't place her. The third person who is not overawed by Whiteside is Bert Jefferson, owner of the local newspaper. |
Lorraine arrives on Christmas Eve and immediately starts laying it on thick with Bert. He is innocently flattered at her interest in his play. Maggie realizes right away that Sheridan is behind Lorraine's sudden appearance, and is furious.
Then, a friend of theirs, Beverly Carlton- an actor and playwright- drops by for a quick visit. In the course of their conversation, Maggie finds out that Carlton can do a spot-on impression of Lord Bottomley and, while Whiteside is busy preparing for his Christmas Eve radio address, she asks Beverly to do her a favour. When he goes to the station to catch his train, he calls Lorraine and, pretending to be Bottomley, asks her to marry him. She joyfully accepts, and has her maid sent telegrams to everyone she knows, announcing the engagement. She also informs Sheridan that she can't do the play... she must rush to Bottomley's side... Maggie helpfully offers to drive her to the airport.