The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) in Color — Starring Bette Davis & Ann Sheridan

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the sparkling screwball comedy classic The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by William Keighley, this uproarious adaptation of the hit Broadway play stars the legendary Monty Woolley as Sheridan Whiteside, a famous, imperious, acid-tongued radio personality and literary critic who slips on ice while visiting a small Ohio town and is forced to convalesce in a suburban family’s home — where he proceeds to take over the entire household, meddle in everyone’s lives, and reduce the family to chaos with his outrageous demands and devastating wit. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) is the most famous, most feared, and most impossible man in America — a celebrated radio broadcaster, literary critic, and cultural icon whose sharp tongue, enormous ego, and bottomless capacity for manipulation make him both irresistible and insufferable. While visiting the small Ohio town of Mesalia on a lecture tour, Whiteside slips on the ice outside the home of the respectable Stanley family and injures his hip.

The injury confines Whiteside to a wheelchair in the Stanley home for several weeks of recovery — and from the moment he takes up residence, the household is turned completely upside down. Whiteside commandeers the living room as his personal headquarters, installs his own telephone lines, receives a parade of celebrities and eccentrics, has penguins and an octopus delivered as gifts, and treats the shell-shocked Mr. and Mrs. Stanley with imperious contempt, threatening lawsuits whenever they dare suggest he might be an inconvenient guest.

But beneath the comedy of domestic havoc lies a more personal drama. Whiteside’s devoted secretary Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis), who has tolerated his tyrannical behaviour for years, falls in love with Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis), a charming local newspaper editor. Whiteside, horrified at the prospect of losing his indispensable secretary, schemes ruthlessly to sabotage the romance — enlisting his glamorous actress friend Lorraine Sheldon (Ann Sheridan) to seduce Bert away from Maggie. Meanwhile, a stream of celebrity visitors including a flamboyant Noël Coward-like playwright (Reginald Gardiner) and a Harpo Marx-like comedian (Jimmy Durante) add to the magnificent chaos, leading to a climax of farcical complications, emotional confrontations, and one of the most brilliantly executed comic resolutions in Hollywood comedy.

Cast & Crew

Director: William Keighley
Stars: Monty Woolley is magnificent as Sheridan Whiteside, delivering torrents of devastating wit with imperious authority and making this monstrous egotist simultaneously infuriating and irresistible. Bette Davis brings warmth, intelligence, and genuine emotional depth to Maggie in one of her rare comedy performances. Ann Sheridan is dazzlingly seductive as Lorraine, Jimmy Durante is hilariously anarchic, and Richard Travis, Billie Burke, and Grant Mitchell provide excellent ensemble support.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s elegant domestic settings with era-accurate hues. The comfortable Stanley living room transformed into Whiteside’s chaotic headquarters, the glamorous costumes, colourful celebrity visitors, and the snow-covered Ohio exteriors gain delightful visual warmth through careful colour restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Released in 1941, The Man Who Came to Dinner is adapted from the legendary Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman Broadway hit. The character of Sheridan Whiteside was famously inspired by the real-life critic Alexander Woollcott, and the various celebrity visitors satirize Noël Coward, Harpo Marx, and other famous figures. The film features an extraordinary cast at the peak of their powers — Monty Woolley, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, and Ann Sheridan create a comedy ensemble rarely equalled in Hollywood history. Through colorization, this beloved comedy classic is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — professionally restored frame-by-frame
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: 112 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play anywhere, keep forever
• Instant download: Yes — available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this based on a real person?
A: Yes, the character of Sheridan Whiteside was famously inspired by Alexander Woollcott, the legendary New York critic and broadcaster. Several other characters satirize real celebrities of the era, adding layers of wit for knowledgeable viewers.

Q: Is Bette Davis the lead?
A: Monty Woolley is the central character, but Bette Davis has a substantial and important role as his secretary — and brings her enormous star power and dramatic skill to what is one of her finest and most charming comedy performances.

Q: Is this funny by modern standards?
A: Absolutely — the rapid-fire wit, outrageous situations, devastating insults, and comic timing are timeless. The film’s satirical edge and brilliant dialogue remain genuinely hilarious more than eighty years later.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM protection?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free — you own it outright and can play it on any device forever.

Q: How do I receive the film after purchase?
A: You receive an instant download link immediately after payment. A backup copy of the link is also sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• The Philadelphia Story (1940)
• Bringing Up Baby (1938)
• His Girl Friday (1940)