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bobbo49's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My big brother Jim played Sheridan Whiteside in his junior year of high school (1962), but somehow I never picked up the written version of this wonderful play - and I absolutely loved it. Great storytelling, and laugh out loud funny! Thanks, Jimbo!
katykelly's review
5.0
A work of comic genius!
One of my favourite play-to-film adaptations and a riot of a play with some eminently quotable lines.
Sheridan Whiteside, celebrity speaker has slipped on ice outside the smalltown home of a family he had deigned to visit (for a fee) and has now taken over their house, rooms, telephone with his requests, guests and gifts.
Querulous, sharp-tongued and used to his own way, 'Sherry' causes friction in the family, stirs up trouble between his secretary and her new beau, and generally attempts to force things to be as he wants them.
Much hilarity ensues. Honestly. It's brilliant. Whiteside is a fantastic creation, the old-fashioned setting no impediment to the language of the play.
Enjoy.
One of my favourite play-to-film adaptations and a riot of a play with some eminently quotable lines.
Sheridan Whiteside, celebrity speaker has slipped on ice outside the smalltown home of a family he had deigned to visit (for a fee) and has now taken over their house, rooms, telephone with his requests, guests and gifts.
Querulous, sharp-tongued and used to his own way, 'Sherry' causes friction in the family, stirs up trouble between his secretary and her new beau, and generally attempts to force things to be as he wants them.
Much hilarity ensues. Honestly. It's brilliant. Whiteside is a fantastic creation, the old-fashioned setting no impediment to the language of the play.
Enjoy.
letty_and_books's review
4.0
Very entertaining play satirizing the budding entertainment industry with its whimsical actresses and equally whimsical critics who make this little world go round... or awry!
Now I can't wait to see the movie adaptation with Bette Davis.
Now I can't wait to see the movie adaptation with Bette Davis.
lillian_gebhardt's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ashleylm's review
5.0
I first read this when I was eleven. I don't think I quite understood everything, but I knew a good read when I saw it!
Years later I was able to attend the revival with Nathan Lane & Jean Smart (and a slightly miscast Harriet Harris)--what a delight to see these masters bringing the words to life. But this is one of those wonderful plays which read very, very well indeed. It's no doubt better with Nathan Lane, but just imagine Nathan Lane in your head and you will have a marvelous time reading the play yourself.
(And if you love it, then move on to You Can't Take It With You by the same authors, nearly as good, although it won the Pulitzer and this one didn't!)
The plot is genius: a horrible writer--I mean, a horrible person who writes well--is injured and forced to remain bedridden at a (wealthy) suburban home. Much of the play is his entertaining his famous friends, but there are subplots throughout that eventually pay off spectacularly.
A real treat, and aside from modern audiences being less and less able to recognize the allusions to then-current celebrity, it doesn't show its age one bit.
Years later I was able to attend the revival with Nathan Lane & Jean Smart (and a slightly miscast Harriet Harris)--what a delight to see these masters bringing the words to life. But this is one of those wonderful plays which read very, very well indeed. It's no doubt better with Nathan Lane, but just imagine Nathan Lane in your head and you will have a marvelous time reading the play yourself.
(And if you love it, then move on to You Can't Take It With You by the same authors, nearly as good, although it won the Pulitzer and this one didn't!)
The plot is genius: a horrible writer--I mean, a horrible person who writes well--is injured and forced to remain bedridden at a (wealthy) suburban home. Much of the play is his entertaining his famous friends, but there are subplots throughout that eventually pay off spectacularly.
A real treat, and aside from modern audiences being less and less able to recognize the allusions to then-current celebrity, it doesn't show its age one bit.
bravelass85's review
4.0
A fast-paced witty comedy. In places dated due to sexual banter and gendered comments (also, telegraph!). Otherwise it plays well to a modern era.
coolwaterlily2's review
5.0
Really funny most of the time, and the secondary emotion tends to be anger at Whiteside, cause he's a real piece of work
laurengarcia439's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
It has been a long time since I'd read a play, and far longer since I'd read once which I enjoyed. 'The Man Who Came to Dinner' is a great comedy, as it should be coming from the authors of 'You Can't Take it With You'.