TCM Greatest Classic Films: Romantic Comedies (Adam's Rib/Woman of the Year/The Philadelphia Story/Bringing up Baby)

This is one of 27 sets of four movie packs that Warner Home Video plans to release in the next few years. Their purpose is to introduce classic film to people previously unaware of these films via very affordable bare bones versions of these movies. This set has four very good films, all featuring Katharine Hepburn.
Woman of the Year (1941) - The film that introduced Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and sparked a long relationship both on and offscreen. Here Hepburn plays an early feminist who goes around collecting causes. Spencer Tracy is the sportswriter that loves her. They marry, but things go downhill quickly since Kate is really already married to her causes.

Adam's Rib (1951) - Ten years have passed and Hepburn and Tracy have aged a bit, but the spark and the chemistry is still there. This time the pair are married lawyers. He is a prosecutor and she a defense attorney. Problems arise when Hepburn defends a woman who shot her husband when she caught him cheating on her and Tracy is the prosecuting attorney in the same case.

Bringing Up Baby (1938) - One of the original screwball comedies. Stars Cary Grant as an anthropologist who gets mixed up with a very dizzy young woman played by Hepburn. The plot involves a tame leopard - Baby - and a dinosaur bone buried by a dog - the exact whereabouts are unknown.

The Philadelphia Story (1940) - Reteams Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant as a divorced pair of socialites. Hepburn's character is about to marry a man of the people who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, and also happens to be one of the most annoying people who has ever lived. James Stewart oddly won a Best Actor award for what is essentially a supporting role. It is especially odd when you think about all of the other great performances in which he was the undisputed lead and he wasn't even nominated.

The only drawback to this set is that - if you want all the extras - you might want to consider Classic Comedies Collection (Bringing Up Baby / The Philadelphia Story Two-Disc Special Edition / Dinner at Eight / Libeled Lady / Stage Door / To Be or Not to Be) in the case of Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Hepburn and Tracy fans might want to consider The Hepburn & Tracy Signature Collection (Woman of the Year / Pat and Mike / Adam's Rib / The Spencer Tracy Legacy). However, both of these sets are considerably more expensive than this basic four-pack, and low cost is really the point of this set in the first place.

Okay, these delightful romantic comedies from yesteryear are a bargain. That said, I've got to be one of those jerks that nitpick, because there is a real problem.

The only labels on these two two-sided DVDs are the microscopic writing around the spindle hole. I've got to use a powerful light and a magnifier to see which movie is which.

I purchased this set of movies at wal-mart. (Sorry Amazon!!)This is a WONDERFUL set of classic romantic comedies at a GREAT price! I have always wanted BRINGING UP BABY but have found that it is rather expensive by itself. It's a hilarious comedy with Katherine Hepburn & Cary Grant. Grant is a palentologist waiting on the last bone to complete a dinosaur exhibit. Hepburn is a socialite who "runs into" Grant on the golf course, who just happens to have a leopard named "Baby". Needless to say, Grant & Hepburn stumble through crazy shenanigans to fall hopelessly in love. The other movies are just as good or better. Jimmy Stewart & once again, Cary Grant come to review the social highlight of the year. The marriage of Hepburn to one of society's finest, most eligible bachelors. Grant, happened to be Hepburn's first husband, reviewing the marriage in the society pages, along with Stewart. Well the reviews lead to a rekindling of an old flame. Needless to say, Grant has to write his "own" review. Loaded with LOTS of laughs!!ADAM'S RIB is Hepburn & Tracy at their finest as huband & wife lawyers. Hepburn comes to represent a woman who shot her philandering husband caught in the act. Tracy is the District Attorney who she has to defend her client against. Tracy & Hepburn's "magic" is evident in this funny, romantic comedy.WOMAN OF THE YEAR is Hepburn & Tracy's first movie together. The screen sizzles as Hepburn a political pundit, battles Tracy a sports writer. Fortunately, all the sparks that fly kindle a romance. This is a great way to introduce yourself or your teenagers to "classic movies"!!! I love this set at such a wonderful price! You can't go wrong with this set.