Desk Set
Director: Walter LangStudio: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release: May 4th 2004
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DVD Review
One of the later Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn matchups, this time pitting efficiency expert--sorry, that's "methods engineer"--Richard Sumner (Tracy) against TV-network research whiz Bunny Watson (Hepburn) over adding a new-fangled computer--again, sorry, that's "electronic brain"--to her department, thereby threatening her and her colleagues' livelihoods. Gig Young appears as Bunny's beau, an ambitious network executive who strings her along and becomes apoplectic at the idea that she doesn't need him. But as always, it's Hepburn and Tracy's bickering-flirting that makes this such a winning enterprise--a lunch date that turns into an interrogation and their sly repartee during a Christmas party are a couple of the movie's hilarious highlights. Interestingly, what starts out as something of a technophobic exercise--Hepburn fears for her job, and a computer goes haywire--takes an abrupt turn (perhaps the IBM product placement had something to do with that). Briskly scripted by Henry and Phoebe Ephron (Nora and Delia's parents) from a play by William Marchant. --David Kronke
User Reviews
breezy comedy delight - Rating: 4/5
Breezy, undemanding comedy with Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and a fine support-cast.
DESK SET, based on the acclaimed Broadway play by William Marchant, concerns hectic TV research department head Bunny Watson (Hepburn). When auto-efficiency expert Richard Sumner (Tracy) is called in, Bunny believes her entire department is in jeopardy of becoming unemployed. Tensions run riot as Bunny and Richard fall in love.
This was Hepburn and Tracy's 8th onscreen pairing (their first in CinemaScope) and they are fabulous as always. The well-cast film also features Dina Merrill (THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER), Gig Young (TEACHER'S PET) and Joan Blondell.
Desk Set - gotta have widescreen - Rating: 5/5
This old Spencer Tracy/Katharine Hepburn movie appears on TV on regular intervals. Problem is, it's always full screen. Back when this film was made directors didn't worry about how the feature would translate to small screen, and this director used the entire widescreen to perfection. The watercooler scene alone makes the purchase of this movie in widescreen format worthwhile.
Improved viewing on DVD - Rating: 5/5
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.
The Office - Rating: 3/5
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.
It doesn't get much better - Rating: 5/5
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.
