Desk Set

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Walter Lang
Starring:	Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn
Release date:	04 May, 2004
List price:	~~$14.98~~
Our price:	$11.98 that is 20% off!

Desk Set

Average rating: Stars

Improved viewing on DVD

I own the VCR tape of this movie, and the widescreen format makes the movie more enjoyable. It must have been made shortly after Cinemasope became popular as the movie studios attempt to make television viewing of movies less enjoyable, Many scenes deliberately have two parties at the extreme edges of the widescreen image, which forces video editing in the full screen format. The movie is a clasic Tracy-Hepburn with Gig Young failing to get the girl once again.

Desk Set - Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn

The Office

Of the nine films Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn made together I have, as of now, seen four; "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", "Pat and Mike", and "Woman of the Year". So far this is my favorite.

Now I wouldn't go as far as some and call this one of the great comedies of all time, but I would say this is an enjoyable funny that has at least two very, very funny scenes, which I will get to in a moment.

The movie was directed by Walter Lang ("Can-Can", "The Jackpot", and "Moon Over Miami") and was written by Phoebe and Henry Ephron (parents to Nora).

Tracy stars as Richard Sumner a sort of efficiency expert who is sent to over look Bunny Watson's (Katherine Hepburn) research department. What kind of company she works for exactly I'm not sure. And soon Bunny and her co-workers Joan Blondell (Peg), Dina Merrill (Sylvia) and Sue Randall (Ruthie) become anxious trying to figure out what exactly Sumner is doing there and will it cost anyone their job.

There is also a side story going on about Bunny and a man she has been seeing for seven years Mike (Gig Young) who has yet to ask the big question, but Bunny remains devoted to him anyway.

I would have preferred if the movie had focused more on the relationship in the office between Tracy and Hepburn, but that's okay.

Now for those two funny scenes. The highlight of this film includes an "evaluation" scene between Racy and Hepburn having lunch. Their timing and chemistry is amazing. The scene reminds me of the gin rummy scene in "Born Yesterday". The other highlight includes an "apartment" scene with Tracy getting caught in the rain staying over at Hepburn's place. Soon complications set in, and I will not reveal them here. But these two scenes are probably the best in the film.

I also like the film's message. Technology by itself is not perfect. I'm totally against all these advancement in the field, which is funny considering I'm using a computer right now. But I liked the film's cynical look at technology.

Bottom-line Enjoyable Tracy/Hepburn comedy that has two very funny scenes which demonstrates how great these two people were and what amazing chemistry they had. Check it out.

Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn - Desk Set

It doesn't get much better

The Great Kate and Spence. Fantastc 50's architecture and clothes and - watch out - SMART DIALOGUE! Nora Ephron's parents wrote and produced this gem and you see where she got her chops. Fast, funny and all pros at the top of their game. Watch for the scene on the roof top of the building when Tracy and Hepburn have their first lunch. it is freezing but these two are so hot and fast and smart that you can't take your eyes off of the screen.

Short on extras, but a few goodies, like a newsreel about the fashions the film inspired and a commentary by Dina Merril and John Lee (?) who I assume is a historian as I certainly don't know him. But, the film is the thing and it is wonderful.