Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Starring:Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton, Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Roy Glenn, Isabel Sanford, Virginia Christine, Alexandra Hay, Barbara Randolph, D'Urville Martin, Tom Heaton, Grace Gaynor, Skip Martin (III), John Hudkins
Director: Stanley Kramer
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Spencer Tracy's last performance was in this well-meaning, handsome film by Stanley Kramer about a pair of white parents (Tracy and Katharine Hepburn) trying to make sense of their daughter's impending marriage to an African American doctor (Sidney Poitier). The film has been knocked over the years for padding conflict and stoking easy liberalism by making Poitier's character in every socioeconomic sense a good catch: But what if Kramer had made this stranger a factory worker? Would the audience still find it as easy to accept a mixed-race relationship? But there's no denying the drawing power of this movie, which gets most of its integrity from the stirring performances of Tracy and Hepburn. When the former (who had been so ill that the production could not get completion insurance) gives a speech toward the end about race, love, and much else, it's impossible not to be affected by the last great moment in a great actor's life and career. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A courageous movie.......2007-06-30

In the context of the times in which it was made, this movie is even more amazing than it first appears--and it is very courageous on first appearances, so that is saying a lot!

Marriage between ethically diverse people was still illegal in quite a number of states, racism and all the terrible crimes it fosters was rampant. Into this maelstrom came a movie about two well-educated and very intelligent people who wish to get married. They deliberately made the doctor (Sidney Poitier) a paragon, so that it would be clear that any hesitation on her parents' part would be solely because he was Black.

My favorite parts are the beginning, when they arrive in California and go to her home and meet her mother (Kate Hepburn), and the end, when her father (Spencer Tracey) does his amazing speech, which earned him an Oscar (and rightly so).

The prejudice of the art gallery "lady" (note the quote marks) was accurate for the times (and, sadly, is still accurate at times) and well done by the actress in that role.

"Those who do not learn from history..." Let us keep watching this movie, so that we can learn, remember, and avoid sinking into the same mire again. And let us applaud the unknown people of courage, who did what was portrayed in this movie--trailblazers and pioneers in a wilderness no less challenging because it was subtle.

Truly romantic.......2007-06-10

Sidney Poiter is magnificent and always awe-inspiring, but the real draw of the movie is watching the interaction between Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. When their real-life romance and difficult relationship is taken into account, their characters are given an extra dimension of honesty. This is particularly true of Tracy's speech at the end of the movie about what it means to love someone regardless of the circumstances. Very touching, brought tears to my eyes.

A Beautiful Film.......2007-05-07

I recently read a biography of Sidney Poitier which emphasized his role as "The Black Actor" of his time, and what this meant culturally and politicaly during the conservative 1950's and the turbulent 1960's. Poitier's mere presence in a film during this time assured black audiences that "Yes, there were roles of merit for blacks in Hollywood" while simultaneously letting white people know that all blacks were not dangerous, sex-craved animals, or buffoonish syncophants, but upstanding citizens like you and me. It seemed at times that Sidney Poitier, The Icon, overshadowed many of his screen endeavors, pushing the film's plotline into the background (with the exception of "In The Heat Of The Night") Which brings me to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". Released in 1967 (it was the THIRD box-office hit for Poitier in a single year. A feat no other actor since, with the exception of Tom Cruise in 1996, has accomplished) an extremely tumultous year when the nation grappled with civil rights and Vietnam, "Guess Who" provided a fresh breath of air. Its the story of a prominent black doctor, John Prentice, who falls in love with a younger white girl,Joanna. He is 37, she is 23. The couple arrive at the girls' parents' house to announce to her parents their marriage plans. But the good doctor has a secret that he is keeping from his fiance: He has promised himself that if the father (Spencer Tracy) disagrees he will not marry her. He has come to this conclusion because he knows full well the problems the two of them will face as an interracial couple, and if they have disapproving in-laws to contend with as well, the marriage might not survive. This particular aspect of Poitier's character is what nailed it for me. What a strong statement to make, and the reserve to back it! How many of us who have been fitfully in love would EVER make a proposal like this?! Most people would say to Hell with the in laws, but this is what seperated Poitier from most stars of his day and which contributed to his overall popularity. Upon its release, the film was not a CRITICAL favorite, but it was certainly a box-office fav. The problem most critics had with the film was the preposterous love story itself. "What would an accomplished doctor who had been married once want with a young, naive girl 14 years his junior? " asked many critics (as if you really had to ponder THAT one!)I have never discovered why the director Stanley Kramer put this age difference into the film in the first place, the only answer I have is that Katherine Houghton was the niece of the Great Hepburn. Nepotism strikes again, right? But that was not the most gnawing question in the film. Most critics simply missed the point. A point that the movie-going public got: It is a FANTASY. Kramer over emphasized everything, from the techni-color skies to the immaculate skin complexions of his stars, to let the public know just how ridiculous skin color prejudices (and prejudices in general) are. Poitier's character is so PERFECT, that the ONLY problem Tracy and Hepburn have with him is his skin color. Brilliant. Yes the film is dated a little, but unfortunately it is still a timely and beautiful film.

Times Sure Have Changed!.......2007-04-23

I remember watching this movie for the first time with my mother. We were shocked, but tried to keep an open mind. Today it is not shocking at all. Times have really changed for the better. We still have a long way to go. I thought about showing this movie to my students, however, they wouldn't understand what the big deal was as we did the first time. Still, it's a good movie and it has a powerful message.

Least favorite movie.......2007-04-12

by this duo. I just didn't like it. All the actors were great. I love Sidney Poitier. But I just couldn't like the movie. I hated the speech in the end. I felt like he was lechuring me!

On Golden Pond, Morning Glory, Lion In Winter, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (KATHERINE HEPBURN OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCES DVD 4 PACK)

Average customer rating:

Self-confidence
VeRy GoOd
Off to a Great Start!
Hepburn's First Oscar - Solid First Act and then...Melodrama
Worth Seeing once

On Golden Pond, Morning Glory, Lion In Winter, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (KATHERINE HEPBURN OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCES DVD 4 PACK)
Starring: Katherine Hepburn , and Douglas Fairbanks Jr
Manufacturer: RKO Studio Release
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video
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Product Description

Black And White

Customer Reviews:

Self-confidence.......2007-01-01

"Morning Glory" is probably a movie that would be a lot harder to come across (and it isn't that easy to find as it is) if it weren't the movie for which Katherine Hepburn won her first Oscar. After watching it with mixed feelings the other night, it dawned on me that there is actually a pretty good facet to this movie. There are three main female characters and each of them gives us a portrait of a self-confident woman. What is interesting is that each of them gets their confidence from a different source. The first woman we are introduced to is an established movie star whose self-confidence arises from her career. She knows she will succeed because she has already done so repeatedly. The next woman we are introduced to is self-confident because she is having an affair with the producer. She knows she will succeed because her lover owes it to her. The last woman we meet is Hepburn's character whose self-confidence arises solely from her belief in herself. She knows she will succeed merely because she cannot envision any other outcome.

As I pondered the meaning of "Morning Glory", I came to understand that the writers and directors wanted to show that attitude IS the key to success. While the established star could lose her self-confidence with a series of flops and the gold-digger could find herself replaced by a new paramour, Hepburn's attitude would (and DID) carry her farther. While the acting, directing and other aspects gave me the impression that this was a "3 Star" movie at best, the subtle message made me realize that it actually deserved a "4 Star" rating.

VeRy GoOd.......2003-06-03

I thought it was good. Katherine Hepburn did a wonderful job in this movie & i enjoyed it alot.

Off to a Great Start!.......2001-05-05

Katherine Hepburn's first Oscar winning role is the perfect introduction to her personality and talent. An aristocratic, beautiful girl from New England takes the entertainment world by storm with her unique charm and iron resolve. Sound familiar? The "I don't wear cheap furs" scene had me choking with laughter, along with what I call the "drunken best of Shakespeare" scene where she launches into a chamgagne-fueled random explosion of highlights from "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet" at a party for top theatre execs.

Hepburn's First Oscar - Solid First Act and then...Melodrama.......2000-09-05

Katharine Hepburn won her first Academy Award for her portrayal of Eve Lovelace (nee Ada Love), a star struck girl who comes to the big city to be a star. The party scene in which a drunk Lovelace does Hamlet's soliloquy and the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet is usually cited as means of an explanation for why she won. But the quintessential Hepburn scene is when she arrives at the office of the successful Broadway producer and charms an old English character actor. Her is the quick, clipped speech that would become so caricatured down the road and it is far and away the best scene it the film.

The last half of the film resorts to the old chestnut of our young heroine having to go on opening night, where she becomes a star. The problem is there is no proof of the pudding here. We hear people talking about how wonderful Eve is on stage, but we see none of her performance. The film gives us indications of her talent but totally ignores her moment of triumph in favor of people talking about it instead. It is useful to remember that Hepburn also made "Little Women" the same year as "Morning Glory" and that certainly her body of work that year was taken into consideration (her Jo March won the prize at Cannes that year I believe-the closest contemporary parallel would probably be Diane Keaton who did "Annie Hall" and "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" the same year, which you must agree is certainly an indication of range).

The first half would get 4 stars the last half 2 stars, and that's how we get to 3. Simple mathematics.

Once you watch this film you should then screen Hepburn in "Stage Door," the climax of which certainly provides what is missing from "Morning Glory." Within 15 minutes of that particular film you see Hepburn play a bad actress and a very good actress. The transformation is stunning and certainly integral to that film in a way it would not be to this one. Given that when she made "Stage Door" Hepburn was considered Box Office Poison, it is interesting to look at this pair of films as a set. "Morning Glory" jump started Hepburn's career, and "Stage Door" heralded her revival. So I highly recommend you watch the two films as a double feature.

Worth Seeing once.......2000-08-12

Katharine Hepburn delivers a great performance in this otherwise routine movie. The story is rather trite, and mundane and just when there is hope for a good picture it ends. However the scene where Ms. Hepburn recites Hamlet's soliloquy and then the does the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet is worth seeing even if you must sit through the rest of the movie.

Average customer rating:

A courageous movie
Truly romantic
A Beautiful Film
Times Sure Have Changed!
Least favorite movie

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner [Region 2]
Starring: Spencer Tracy , Sidney Poitier , Katharine Hepburn , Katharine Houghton , and Cecil Kellaway
Director: Stanley Kramer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Customer Reviews:

A courageous movie.......2007-06-30

Truly romantic.......2007-06-10

A Beautiful Film.......2007-05-07

Times Sure Have Changed!.......2007-04-23

Least favorite movie.......2007-04-12

by this duo. I just didn't like it. All the actors were great. I love Sidney Poitier. But I just couldn't like the movie. I hated the speech in the end. I felt like he was lechuring me!

Katherine Hepburn OSCAR Winning DVD Collection (Lion In Winter, On Golden Pond, Morning Glory, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner) 4 DVD Set

Average customer rating:

Katherine Hepburn OSCAR Winning DVD Collection (Lion In Winter, On Golden Pond, Morning Glory, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner) 4 DVD Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Limited Issue Of ALL Of Four Oscar Winning Performances Of The Legendary Katherine Hepburn.

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