"The Philadelphia Story"

 ANALYSIS INFORMATION: 

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General Storytelling:	Complete
Act Order Storytelling:	Complete
Character List:	Complete
Build Characters:	Partial

 

 

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Author:		Screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart based on the stage play by Philip Barry
Analysis sources:		This analysis is based on the videotape of the film, with additional information gleaned from the stage play (©1939 Samuel French and Co.)
Genre:		Comedy of Manners
Setting:		Seth Lord's house, in Radnor, PA, in the country near Philadelphia.
Period:		Though a contemporary piece when written, it clearly takes place in the 1930's.
Analysis by:		David Knell

Comments:

This is an analysis of George Cukor's classic film version of Philip Barry's stage play, starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart. David Ogden Stewart's script won the Academy Award for best screenplay, and Stewart won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of reporter Macaulay "Mike" Connor. Other nominations included Best Picture, Director (Cukor), Best Actress (Hepburn as Tracy), and Supporting Actress (Hussey as Liz).

The film differs from the original stage play in several significant ways. In the original stage play, another character, Tracy's brother Sandy, is responsible for the presence of the reporters at Tracy's wedding, and drives the activities related to Sidney Kidd. In the film, his character is completely eliminated and his function in the objective story is taken over by Dexter, played by Cary Grant.

Brief Synopsis:

When C. K. Dexter Haven hears that his former wife, Tracy Lord (of the Philadelphia Lords) is remarrying, he comes back from South America under the guise of saving the Lords from scandal. It is his idea to install a reporter and photographer into the Lord's home; they will get the story of the wedding in exchange for not running a tabloid piece on the extramarital affairs of Seth Lord, Tracy's father. Dexter and Tracy split in part because of Tracy's inability to forgive Dexter's drinking problem. Now Tracy is marrying George Kittredge, a coal mining tycoon, who hopes to solidify his social standing by way of this marriage. Dexter thinks that Tracy is marrying beneath herself, not in class but in spirit. Taking his comments to heart, Tracy gets drunk on champagne and starts to fall for Connor, the fascinating reporter. By the end of the evening, she and Connor go for a dip in the pool, and when Kittredge sees them, he suspects the worst. Tracy, who has a history of champagne induced amnesia, doesn't think too kindly of herself either, but had hoped that Kittredge would think better of her. Seeing that Dexter was right about her and Kittredge, she tells Kittredge to leave. As a result of the night's events, Tracy has found humility and forgiveness and has rediscovered her own humanness. She and Dexter remarry and they live happily ever after.

Objective Character Mini-Synopsis:

Dinah comes into conflict with Tracy because she thinks that Dexter makes a much better husband for her than Kittredge. Kittredge comes into conflict with Dexter, because he thinks Tracy deserves more respect than Dexter affords her. Dexter comes into conflict with Tracy because he thinks she could do so much better than Kittredge. Tracy comes into conflict with Seth because she believes his philandering to be the root cause of all the trouble that is happening. Connor comes into conflict with Tracy, at first because he believes her to be the perfect example of the "rich, rapacious American female." Tracy thinks he is an intellectual snob. Connor hates Sidney Kidd, because he doesn't treat him fairly. Liz on the other hand can't afford to hate anyone, because, as she says, "I'm only a photographer."

THE OBJECTIVE CHARACTERS:

Name: Tracy Lord

Gender: Female

Description:

Described in the play as "a strikingly lovely girl of 24." Tracy is described by nearly everyone as a "Queen," or "Virgin Goddess." Played by Katharine Hepburn in the film.

Role: Bride-to-be

Characteristics:

Motivation: Avoidance; Uncontrolled;

Name: C. K. Dexter Haven

Gender: Male

Description:

Dexter was Tracy's first husband, who is even now a bit reluctant to relinquish that title. According to Macaulay Connor's research, Dexter plays polo, designs and races sailboats and is "very upper class." He is Tracy's intellectual equal, and probably the one who understands her best. Although sober now, when they were married Dexter had a drinking problem that escalated until their divorce. Played by Cary Grant in the film.

Role: Former Husband

Characteristics:

Motivation: Pursuit; Hinder;

Name: Dinah Lord

Gender: Female

Description:

Tracy's sister. She's fifteen and doesn't miss a trick. She prefers Dexter to George and makes no attempt to hide the fact.

Role: Sister

Characteristics:

Motivation: Oppose; Conscience;

Name: George Kittredge

Gender: Male

Description:

George is a self made coal mining tycoon. He's new to the upper class set, and still a bit rough around the edges, which is just why Tracy loves him.

Role: Fiancé

Characteristics:

Motivation: Consider; Disbelief;

Name: Liz Embrie

Gender: Female

Description:

Liz Embrie is in love with Connor, the reporter, but she thinks he has "a lot to learn" and doesn't want to get in his way just yet. She's not thrilled with her current assignment, but money is money.

Role: Photographer

Characteristics:

Motivation: Faith; Help;

Name: Macaulay (Mike) Connor

Gender: Male

Description:

A published writer of short stories, Connor is, in Tracy's words, "an intellectual snob." He's got definite opinions about the upper class, and hates the fact that he has been reduced to writing exposés on the rich and famous.

Role: Reporter

Characteristics:

Motivation: Reconsider; Logic;

Name: Margaret Lord

Gender: Female

Description:

The wife and mother who loves unconditionally.

Role: Mother

Characteristics:

Motivation: Feeling; Support;

Name: Seth Lord

Gender: Male

Description:

Tracy's father--Seth is a well known philanderer, rumored to be having an affair with Tina Mara, the Broadway actress. He blames Tracy's aloofness and unforgiving ways for his indiscretions.

Role: Father

Characteristics:

Motivation: Control; Temptation;

Name: Sidney Kidd

Gender: Male

Description:

Nobody likes Sidney Kidd. Not his employees, and certainly not the people who he exposes in his weekly scandal sheet. He revels in his work, though, finding delight in getting the exclusive story on the Lord wedding, (and in taking a covert picture at the wedding itself).

Role: Editor of Spy Magazine

Characteristics:

Name: Uncle Willie

Gender: Male

Description:

Uncle Willie is, in Tracy's words, a pincher. He's got an eye for anything in a skirt, and a hand as well. He's not fond of Kittredge, but enjoys getting to play the part of Seth for awhile.

Role: Uncle

Characteristics:

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AUDIENCE AND STORY DYNAMICS APPRECIATIONS:

• Nature as it relates to Actual Dilemma:

In order to truly be happy Tracy must change, which she does. At the end of the story, Tracy is much more forgiving of human weakness and decides to make a concerted effort to take responsibility for her own actions.

• Essence as it relates to Positive Feel:

Almost everyone in the story really wants Tracy to be happy, and makes an effort toward that end.

• Tendency as it relates to Unwilling:

Tracy is prone to blame others or to look for an outside answer to her problems. She resists making the internal adjustment until she is worn down by circumstances.

• Reach as it relates to Male:

Though a female audience may sympathize with Tracy, few will identify with the predicament in which she finds herself. Male audiences, on the other hand, will appreciate and identify with Tracy's difficulty of "getting in touch with her feelings."

• Resolve as it relates to Change:

Tracy is accused throughout the story (by Dexter, Seth, and George) of being "a goddess." By the end of the story she has stepped off of her pedestal and has become more forgiving of human frailties.

• Approach as it relates to Do-er:

When she hears about the reporters in her house, Tracy's first reaction is to give them "a picture of home life that will stand their hair on end." When she sees George at the stables looking "too clean," she knocks him down and dirties him up. When Uncle Willie shows up, Tracy automatically refers to him as "Father," just to stir things up. When Dexter tells her he's planning to name his next boat the "True Love II" she promises to "blow you and it right out of the water."

• Direction as it relates to Start:

Ultimately, Tracy must start being more forgiving and more accepting of human frailties.

• Mental Sex as it relates to Male:

Tracy is a goal setter. She immediately looks at causes and effects, and tries to solve problems in a very linear manner.

• Outcome as it relates to Success:

By the end of the story, Tracy has rediscovered the passion that was always inside of her. She announces to the wedding guests that while she may have disappointed them two years ago by eloping to Maryland, she now intends to make up for it by "going beautifully through with it now- as originally - and most beautifully - planned."

• Judgment as it relates to Good:

As they are about to walk into the wedding, Tracy tells her father that she feels, "Like a human - like a human being." Her father asks if that's all right, and Tracy replies, "All right? Oh Father, it's Heaven!"

• Work as it relates to Decision:

Tracy has decided to marry Kittredge; Sidney Kidd decides to trade the story on Seth Lord for an account of Tracy Lord's wedding; Tracy and the family decide to play along with the ruse; Dexter and Seth both decide to show up for Tracy's wedding; Dexter and Mike decide to turn the tables on Kidd; Ultimately Tracy decides she doesn't want to marry George after all.

• Limit as it relates to Timelock:

The wedding is to be held at noon on Saturday, and all of the action plays out within that time frame. In virtually every scene, some reference is made to the impending wedding.

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THE OBJECTIVE STORY THROUGHLINE:

Throughline Synopsis:

Sidney Kidd, of Spy Magazine, sends a reporter and a camera woman to cover the wedding of Tracy Lord, who is about to marry George Kittredge. They are installed into the house by C. K. Dexter Haven, who hopes to divert their attention from Seth Lord's affair with a Broadway actress. Tracy and the family at first pretend they don't know what's going on, but Tracy finds herself suddenly bowled over by Mike, the reporter. At the end of a pre-wedding party, at which the champagne flows like ginger ale, she and Mike go for a dip in the pool. When Kittredge sees them, he imagines the worst, and the wedding is threatened. Tracy realizes she could never be happy with Kittredge, and sends him on his way.

Backstory:

Tracy Lord grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. She married C. K. Dexter Haven and divorced him when he, resenting her chilly attitude toward the comforting virtues of domesticity, took to liquor. Dexter went to South America to work as a foreign correspondent for Sidney Kidd, publisher of Spy Magazine. Tracy later met and became engaged to George Kittredge, a mining tycoon. Tracy's father, Seth Lord (who owns controlling interest in Kittredge's company), has had a history of philandering, and has taken up with a Broadway actress named Tina Mara. When Kidd decided to run an expose on Seth Lord, Dexter stepped in with a proposal. Kidd will shelve the story on Seth Lord in exchange for an exclusive "behind the scenes" view of Tracy Lord's wedding.

• Domain as it relates to Mind:

All of the characters in the story are dealing with some sort of rigid thinking, snobbery, or prejudice. Mike reveals himself early on to be anti-upper-class. Tracy calls him an intellectual snob. ("The worst kind there is.") Kittredge feels that Dexter is somewhat condescending, and before storming off at the end, he declares that "You and your whole rotten class... you're all on your way out... and good riddance." Dexter and Seth both accuse Tracy of being closed minded and unforgiving.

• Concern as it relates to The Subconscious:

Virtually everyone in the story has a fixed opinion about human nature, specifically about what drives human beings at their very core. Mike is at first convinced that none of the Lords can be considered worthy of admiration, simply because of their class. His opinion changes once he realizes their basic drives and desires are no different from the common folk. Kittredge is driven to be one of the upper class, but deep down holds them in contempt as incurable snobs. Seth Lord is certain his extramarital affairs are just a natural part of fulfilling his desire for loving attention. Dexter has very definite opinions about what drives Tracy, even Dinah thinks she knows what's best for Tracy and what (or who) will make her truly happy.

• Range as it relates to Closure:

Tracy is really trying to put her marriage with Dexter to a close by marrying Kittredge. The Lord family hopes to put an end to the rumors of Seth's philandering by agreeing to trade a story on Tracy's wedding for the story Kidd wants to publish about Seth and Tina Mara. Kittredge is trying to solidify his social standing (and put his past behind him) by marrying Tracy.

• Counterpoint as it relates to Denial:

Dexter's presence indicates that he doesn't think his and Tracy's marriage is over until it's over (when he punches Mike, he says he's got "a husband's right, till tomorrow"); Tracy stubbornly refuses to leave the party, choosing instead to wander off with Mike; Kittredge refuses to follow Dexter's advice and go inside, choosing instead to see Tracy and Mike together; Mrs. Lord is unwilling to give up her marriage, despite the scandal surrounding it; Dinah stubbornly refuses to accept George Kittredge as a future brother-in-law.

• Thematic Conflict as it relates to Closure vs. Denial:

Although they may seem like the right steps to take at first, all attempts at closure are shown to be akin to sticking one's head in the ground. Conversely, although the events dealing with denial seem to have negative short term consequences, they ultimately lead to greater realizations and growth for Tracy and the others.

• Problem as it relates to Avoidance:

Rather than let Seth suffer the consequences of his own actions, the Lords attempt to prevent scandal by allowing reporters to cover Tracy's wedding. Upon his arrival at the Lords' house, Connor tries to snoop around without getting caught by the Lords (or the servants). Liz and Connor have been avoiding the question of marriage for years. Dinah, Dexter, and Uncle Willie seem to be trying to prevent Tracy's wedding, which only causes her to dig in her heels. Dexter tries to prevent George from seeing Tracy with Mike, causing Kittredge to insist on staying and seeing them together with his own eyes.

• Solution as it relates to Pursuit:

Seth (along with Mike and Liz) chooses to put the whole deception (pretending not to know who Mike and Liz are) to a stop. Dexter and Mike decide to make a concerted effort to stop Sidney Kidd for good. After Dinah sees the goings on of the previous night, she makes a direct effort to see that Tracy marries the right person. Kittredge's directed effort to put their pre-nuptial quarrel behind them leads Tracy to see who he really is.

• Focus as it relates to Consider:

Connor puts a lot of effort into trying to figure out what drives the rich to be what they are. Liz has thought a lot about marrying Connor, but is waiting for him to make up his own mind. Kittredge puts too much thought into the question of how to handle Tracy's seeming infidelity. The fact that he is considering this issue at all (seeing Tracy as guilty until proved innocent) causes a problem for Tracy, as she had hoped Kittredge would have thought better of her than she does of herself.

• Direction as it relates to Reconsider:

Dexter gets Sidney Kidd to reconsider running the story on Seth Lord's affair with Tina Mara. Dinah tries from the start to get Tracy to reconsider her wedding to Kittredge. Dexter tries to get Liz to reconsider letting Connor do as he pleases. When George thinks the worst of Tracy, he reconsiders getting married to her.

• Stipulation as it relates to Memory:

The memories of Tracy and Dexter's past gradually change and resolve themselves as the story progresses. At the start, for instance, Tracy has terrible memories of her relationship with Dexter (though Dinah's memories are clearly more favorable); by the pool, Dexter challenges Tracy's memories of their relationship (and her inability to remember specific events); when Tracy awakens and learns what happened the night before, it puts her memories of her marriage into context and more in accordance with everyone else's memories.

• Catalyst as it relates to Denial:

The story picks up in intensity whenever characters refuse to back down. For instance, when Tracy demands that Dexter leave as soon as he arrives, he digs in and says he wouldn't miss this for the world; later, Tracy refuses to leave the party, choosing instead to remain and get drunk on champagne; when Kittredge stubbornly refuses to heed Dexter's advice to go inside, he catches Tracy in a compromising position.

• Inhibitor as it relates to Openness:

As an example of how the attempt to achieve the story's goal is impeded, once Dexter informs Tracy of what will happen if Spy Magazine is not allowed to obtain "The Philadelphia Story," she and the rest of the family tolerate the reporters in their midst and are forced to playact; When Tracy goes to the library to do research on Mike, the story itself doesn't really advance. Granted, it is setting the atmosphere for her tryst with him later, but the story and all the activities that lead up to the wedding are put on hold for a moment, as they both reevaluate each other. She sees that he's more than just a reporter, and Mike sees that Tracy is deeper than he gave her credit for.

• Goal as it relates to The Subconscious:

The goal common to all the objective characters is for Tracy to be not just married, but truly, deeply happy.

• Consequence as it relates to The Future:

Tracy very nearly ends up married to Kittredge, which everyone (save Tracy and Kittredge) knows will only cause her to be miserable for the rest of her life.

• Cost as it relates to Becoming:

Tracy becomes more aware of her own faults and, much to her chagrin, finds out what it means to be human. Dexter had to become sober and make a complete change in himself in order to come back to Tracy; Tracy tells Margaret that the two of them just picked lousy first husbands, and becoming single again is a necessary evil on the road to happiness.

• Dividend as it relates to Obtaining:

There are lots of gifts on the road to Tracy's wedding, not the least of which is a model of the True Love; Mike and Tracy also get good and drunk, which turns out to be rather exhilarating for them both; Seth Lord obtains his wife's forgiveness; Mike achieves the freedom to write the kind of stories he loves; Sidney Kidd obtains "The Philadelphia Story."

• Requirements as it relates to Memory:

Tracy's inability to remember the previous night leads her to believe the worst about herself. It is a very humbling experience for her and ultimately leads her to the conclusion that she may owe Dexter an apology for what she did to him.

• Prerequisites as it relates to The Past:

Dexter reminds Tracy of their past together, how she left him, and how she once got drunk on champagne and stood naked on the roof, "wailing like a banshee."

• Preconditions as it relates to Conceptualizing:

As important as it seems at the time, the whole issue of the Spy Magazine story is merely a device imposed by Dexter to get himself into the picture and back into Tracy's life. Dexter has come up with a way to steer Sidney Kidd away from the wedding, which involves installing reporters into the Lord household for the weekend. While everyone does their best to uphold this vision of the Lords as a carefree family, ultimately, they all realize that it serves no purpose and the ruse is dropped. Later, Dexter and Connor come up with a story that will stop Kidd for good, but again, it serves no purpose to help or hinder the ultimate goal.

• Forewarnings as it relates to Understanding:

Bit by bit, Tracy begins to understand what she is getting herself in for in regard to Kittredge. When Kittredge tells her that he has always worshipped her from afar, like a goddess, Tracy is visibly shaken, and sees that Kittredge may not be all she had thought he was.

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THE SUBJECTIVE STORY THROUGHLINE:

Throughline Synopsis:

Dexter, Tracy's ex-husband, arrives at the Lord house the day before she is to marry George Kittredge. Although he is there ostensibly to save the Lord family from a potential scandal, Dexter and Tracy immediately continue the conflict that began when they were married. At its core is their argument over whether or not Tracy can have any kind of future with Kittredge (or indeed anyone other than Dexter). Ultimately the relationship between Dexter and Tracy, which has thus far gone largely unresolved, must be worked out if Tracy is to achieve her goal of happiness.

Backstory:

Tracy and Dexter were married several years ago, though it only lasted ten months. According to Dexter, it fell apart because of Tracy's intolerance to his drinking problem. Instead of helping him through it, she scolded him, and ultimately left him. Afterwards, Dexter became sober and went to work as a correspondent for Sidney Kidd, of Spy Magazine. When he heard that Tracy was remarrying, he came back, ostensibly to save Tracy's family from the scandal of an article Kidd was about to publish regarding Seth Lord's philandering.

• Domain as it relates to Universe:

The institution of marriage, specifically any one that Tracy is involved in, is what creates conflict between Tracy and Dexter. Tracy and Dexter were once married. Dexter knows that Tracy is doing the wrong thing by embarking on a second marriage to Kittredge. He says that it's just a swing from himself and what he represents. But he thinks it's "too violent a swing." Dexter feels the need to protect Tracy from the disastrous future he knows is in store for her if she goes through with the wedding. Tracy thinks it was their own marriage that was the disaster.

• Concern as it relates to The Future:

Dexter thinks he and Tracy should have had a future together, but Tracy disagrees. She believes her future is with George Kittredge.

• Range as it relates to Openness:

Dexter tries to get Tracy to reevaluate her decision to marry George by revealing George for who he really is, and Tracy for who she really is. He also presents himself as someone who has changed (he hasn't had a drink in quite some time), yet Tracy is not open to this fact.

• Counterpoint as it relates to Preconception:

Dexter tells Tracy that if he is contemptuous of anything, it's her "prejudice against weakness- your blank intolerance-" When she is talking to Mike about his supposed intolerance ("you're the worst kind of snob there is") she catches herself using exactly the same words Dexter used about herself.

• Thematic Conflict as it relates to Openness vs. Preconception:

Dexter arrives in the story a changed man from the one Tracy divorced. He accuses her of being closed minded when it comes to human frailty. Throughout the story, Dexter is there to show Tracy that she is not as perfect as she would like to be. Only through recognizing her own imperfections will she be more accepting of the faults of others.

• Problem as it relates to Disbelief:

The basic problem between Tracy and Dexter is that Tracy doesn't believe Dexter has changed, and Dexter doesn't believe George Kittredge is even remotely the right husband for Tracy.

• Solution as it relates to Faith:

Although there is no proof that they will be able to make a clean start of it, Tracy has enough faith in herself and in Dexter to remarry him, "as originally and most beautifully planned."

• Focus as it relates to Consider:

The apparent issue between them deals with the fact that Tracy's wedding to George is not a fait accompli. Dexter gives her plenty of reasons to ponder and doubt her reasons for marrying Kittredge, and Tracy fights him every step of the way. Dexter asks Tracy how she can even think about marrying George, and she replies "because I love him, as I never even began to love you."

• Direction as it relates to Reconsider:

Before Tracy and Dexter can get back together, as they ultimately do, Tracy must reconsider her feelings towards Dexter, Kittredge, and toward herself. Dexter's presence at the house, and the situation he imposes on the family, serves in great part to do just that.

• Stipulation as it relates to The Past:

When Dexter mentions the night Tracy got drunk and naked on the roof, she tries to dismiss it as silly, childish, and insignificant. Dexter thinks it enormously important. As the story develops, Tracy realizes, in its proper context, just how important that incident was, and how the past is open to interpretation.

• Catalyst as it relates to Preconception:

Dexter plays on Tracy's stubbornness to goad her into conflict and ultimately to reevaluate their relationship.

• Inhibitor as it relates to Closure:

When Tracy demanded a divorce from Dexter, it effectively put their relationship a close. The fact of their divorce inhibits their relationship from moving forward. However, if they were to both believe that there relationship was truly over, that would be that. Fortunately for all concerned, Dexter will not let it go.

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Tracy Lord's THROUGHLINE:

Role:

Bride-to-be

Description:

Described in the play as "a strikingly lovely girl of 24." Tracy is described by nearly everyone as a "Queen," or "Virgin Goddess." Played by Katharine Hepburn in the film.

Throughline Synopsis:

Tracy has her whole life figured out. She has chosen the perfect husband in George Kittredge, a self made millionaire, someone who she sees as her equal. But there are certain aspects of her own personality that she would rather not face. Her own intolerance towards the faults of others, for one. Tracy holds herself to very high standards, and has little patience for those who do not live up to them. She denies having any faults of her own, but during the course of the story she is confronted by people who force her to see herself as she really is. In an attempt to run from that truth, she turns to champagne, only to realize that when all is said and done, she is quite human after all.

Backstory:

Tracy grew up in the upper class regions of Philadelphia, the daughter of Seth and Margaret Lord. According to the play, she is the wealthiest member of the family, having inherited from two wealthy grandfathers. She was married to C. K. Dexter Haven for all of ten months, but their marriage broke up due at least in part to her intolerance of his problem with alcohol. Sometime after their divorce, she met George Kittredge, a one time coal miner who made it big, and the two of them agreed to marry.

• Domain as it relates to Physics:

Tracy is described as a hunter (of foxes and big game). She rides horses, swims, and sails yachts. She is shown and perceived to be a very physically active person. However it is her need to "do" that constantly gets her into trouble. She acted very hastily in getting divorced, and is probably acting hastily in getting married again so soon. After Dexter questions her relationship with Kittredge, she tries to quell her feelings by drinking and dancing (and swimming) the night away.

• Concern as it relates to Obtaining:

In the first scene, Tracy is seen writing thank you notes for all of her wedding gifts. She sees her impending wedding to Kittredge as an achievement ("He is for me- already he is of national importance.") Dexter's gift (the model of the True Love) means a great deal to her.

• Range as it relates to Self Interest:

Although she may have trouble seeing it for herself (and takes offense to the idea), Tracy is often accused of appearing to be a queen, or virgin goddess: someone around whom the whole world revolves. As such, her thinking tends to reflect her belief that her way is always the right way, regardless of how it may affect others.

• Counterpoint as it relates to Morality:

Tracy is often surprised when she witnesses moments of selflessness in other people. When Mike explains that he didn't take advantage of the situation because Tracy was drunk, she thanks him, saying she thinks that "men are wonderful." She is again quite taken when Mike generously proposes to marry Tracy in order to get her out of the bind he thinks he got her into.

• Thematic Conflict as it relates to Self Interest vs. Morality:

Tracy's thematic conflict is perhaps best defined by Dexter who tells Tracy, when she says she's not interested in herself, "Not interested in yourself? You're fascinated, Red! You're far and away your favorite person in the world... She is generous to a fault, that is, except to other people's faults."

• Problem as it relates to Avoidance:

Tracy's problem is that she runs away from problems. Rather than deal with Dexter's drinking problem, she divorced him. When she starts to feel conflicted about marrying George, she drinks to excess, to forget about it. Unfortunately she forgets everything she said or did during her champagne haze, as she did last time she drank too much.

• Solution as it relates to Pursuit:

Ultimately Tracy knows that she can't be gotten out of problems. She must deal with Kittredge directly, saying she would do her best to make him unhappy if they were married; she is determined to be the one to tell the wedding guests exactly what has happened.

• Focus as it relates to Control:

Tracy thinks that her problem is that she is too controlling. That's her interpretation of what everyone tells her. She wants to be human, but it's her nature to dominate everyone and manage every situation.

• Direction as it relates to Uncontrolled:

As a result of hearing Dexter, George, and Seth accuse her of being a controlling, untouchable bronze goddess, Tracy takes action by losing control entirely through champagne.

• Stipulation as it relates to Understanding:

As the story progresses, Tracy begins to understand more about herself and about human nature. She is at first completely intolerant towards Dexter's drunkenness and her father's philandering, but gradually learns to understand more of what makes them (and herself) tick leading ultimately to her being more forgiving.

• Unique Ability as it relates to Attitude:

It is Tracy's attitude, her strength, and ultimately her innate humanness that leads her to becoming truly happy and ending up with Dexter.

• Critical Flaw as it relates to Rationalization:

Tracy blamed Dexter for the failure of their marriage rather than looking at the possibility that she could have been more forgiving and helpful. She tries to rationalize her previous indiscretions as silly and childish rather than face the fact that she is truly human and has faults of her own.

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C. K. Dexter Haven's THROUGHLINE:

Role:

Former Husband

Description:

Dexter was Tracy's first husband, who is even now a bit reluctant to relinquish that title. According to Macaulay Connor's research, Dexter plays polo, designs and races sailboats and is "very upper class." He is Tracy's intellectual equal, and probably the one who understands her best. Although sober now, when they were married Dexter had a drinking problem that escalated until their divorce. Played by Cary Grant in the film.

Throughline Synopsis:

At the start of the story, Dexter arrives ostensibly to help avert a scandal in the Lord family. But if the truth be told, he couldn't stomach the idea of Tracy, his former wife, marrying George Kittredge. He has changed from the drunk that he was, and knows exactly how to manipulate every situation to just the right effect. He causes Kittredge to reveal himself for the snob he is, and Tracy to come to terms with the fact that when all is said and done she is human after all, and that's exactly what Dexter loves about her.

Backstory:

Dexter says that his "was the problem of a young man in exceptionally high spirits who drank to slow down that damned engine he'd found nothing yet to do with-his own mind." Tracy divorced him because of his drunkenness, calling it disgusting and unattractive. After their divorce, Dexter when to South America to work as a correspondent for Sidney Kidd, publisher of Spy Magazine. When he heard of Tracy's impending marriage, he returned.

• Domain as it relates to Psychology:

Dexter is a master of manipulation. Under the guise of trying to spare the Lords from scandal, he installs Connor, Liz, and himself into their house for the weekend, somehow knowing exactly the effect it will have. His wedding gift (the model of the True Love) has the intended effect of causing Tracy to recall their honeymoon together. He manipulates Kittredge (and Tracy) into believing the worst of her incident with Connor, serving as the impetus for Tracy to finally tell Kittredge to leave and go back to Dexter.

• Concern as it relates to Becoming:

Dexter truly has changed his nature. He describes himself as having been a young man of high spirits who didn't know what to do with his life or his mind. But clearly he is now in charge of himself, his life, and the situation before him. He also doesn't want to see Tracy become something that will make her unhappy, and so does what he can to make sure that she changes her perception of herself.

• Range as it relates to Commitment:

Dexter believes in commitment. He thinks that Tracy should have stood by him in the dark days of their marriage, and now he is back, determined to make good on his promise to do the same for her.

• Counterpoint as it relates to Responsibility:

Dexter says that Tracy is marrying beneath herself in committing herself to Kittredge. Tracy thinks he is being snobbish to say so, but the truth is, Dexter knows that he himself is the only one who can truly make Tracy happy.

• Thematic Conflict as it relates to Commitment vs. Responsibility:

Dexter needs to be careful in pressing the commitment point, because Tracy could easily argue that she is holding to her commitment to Kittredge. On the other hand, by manipulating the situation--showing Tracy that she (just like Dexter) is human--and that Kittredge is in fact a snob, Dexter shows himself to be the only one worthy of spending the rest of his life with Tracy.

• Problem as it relates to Oppose:

As soon as he heard that Tracy was marrying Kittredge, Dexter had to come back and make his opinion known. Although he doesn't seem to do anything concrete to stop Tracy from getting married, he is often on the sidelines of a scene, expressing his opinions.

• Solution as it relates to Support:

Despite his need to oppose Tracy's wedding, Dexter appears to be doing everything within his power to make sure that the wedding goes off without a hitch. He "graciously" makes a deal with Kidd to stop the story on Seth Lord; he gives the couple a thoughtful gift; he tries to convince Kittredge to go home before seeing Tracy in Connor's arms, etc.

• Focus as it relates to Consider:

Dexter tells Tracy that he wonders how she would even consider marrying Kittredge. This forces Tracy to dig in her heels, justify her reasoning, and consider the pros and cons herself.

• Direction as it relates to Reconsider:

Everything Dexter says is geared toward forcing Tracy to reconsider her actions, as well as her opinions about Dexter, their marriage, and herself.

• Stipulation as it relates to Conceptualizing:

Dexter conceptualizes the entire plan to expose Sidney Kidd. It starts at the beginning of the story, when Dexter has offered Kidd the story of Tracy's wedding in exchange for the expose on Seth Lord's affair with Tina Mara. It develops further when Dexter talks to Mike Connor about Kidd, and Dexter visualizes a way to utilize Mike's information in a way that could ultimately ruin Kidd. On the morning of the wedding, he invites Kidd to the wedding so that he can trade the new story for the story on the wedding, Kidd sends a message via Margaret, that Dexter has won.

• Unique Ability as it relates to Obligation:

When all is said and done, Dexter loves Tracy, and always has. He does what he does because of the emotional contract he believes they still share.

• Critical Flaw as it relates to Approach:

Dexter's particular method of doing what he does infuriates Tracy, and she comes very close to throwing him off the premises several times.

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ACT PROGRESSIONS:

The Objective Throughline Act Order:

Objective Story Signpost #1 as it relates to The Conscious:

After Tracy forced Margaret to consider Seth Lord's actions (giving Tina Mara $100,000) Margaret Lord cast off her husband, but is still not comfortable with the stand she has taken. Dinah considers different ways to postpone the wedding (including getting small pox) because she doesn't think Kittredge is right for Tracy. George considers it an honor to be written up in a national magazine, but Tracy says, "Reporters? Not in my house." She retracts her statement immediately when called on it by George, who reminds her that they soon will be sharing a home. Connor considers Kidd to be unfair in forcing him to do the story on the Lord wedding. He thinks it's degrading and undignified (and yet he does it, anyway). While Connor and Liz consider the wealth of the Lords, Connor keeps getting caught by the butler (and Tracy) apparently (but not really) stealing things. When Tracy considers the presence of the reporters in her home, her impulse is to give them "a picture of home life that will make their hair stand on end." While Connor has considered his questions carefully, he is totally unprepared for the whirlwind that Tracy presents to him ("Who's interviewing who around here?") Despite the fact that Tracy has not invited Seth to her wedding (which Dinah and Margaret agree is "pretty stinking) Seth shows up.

Objective Story Journey #1 from The Conscious to Memory:

Dexter arrives as the family is getting ready for lunch. There is immediate concern from Uncle Willie (who tries to shoo him away) and George that Dexter's presence will bring up bad memories for Tracy and the others. Dexter, however, knows exactly what he's doing and accepts the invitation to lunch.

Objective Story Signpost #2 as it relates to Memory:

The second act starts with Connor finding Tracy at the library. She is reading a copy of his book, which reminds him of why he got into the writing game in the first place (and also of how little money he made on the book itself). Tracy invites him to walk her home, and Connor forgets to pick up Liz from the beauty salon. Tracy recalls her country house and offers it to Connor, who refuses it. After Dexter and Tracy's tete á tete at the pool, George arrives. He opens Dexter's gift and while he scoffs at its inappropriateness, he sees the memories it evokes in Tracy. Tracy heads back to the house and finds Margaret and Seth, reminiscing and happy. Tracy thinks it's disgusting, but this only serves to remind Seth that Tracy's cold, unforgiving nature was a contributing factor in his philandering.

Objective Story Journey #2 from Memory to The Preconscious:

While the rest of the family make their way to Uncle Willie's party, Tracy tells Connor to "Remember," quoting the title of one of his stories, "With the Rich and Mighty, Always a Little Patience." With that, she takes a drink of champagne. And another. And another . . .

Objective Story Signpost #3 as it relates to The Preconscious:

The entire act deals with the consequences of having one's inhibitions removed. At the party Tracy, who is very drunk, just wants to dance. Kittredge doesn't want to. Connor, who is also quite drunk, offers to dance with Tracy, but Kittredge, thinking that Connor is being far to attentive, grudgingly agrees to a last dance with Tracy. Connor hops into the car and on an impulse, goes to Dexter's house, to find out his intentions toward Tracy. ("Doggone it, C.K. Dexter Haven, either I'm gonna sock you, or your gonna sock me!") When Connor mentions that he has information that would put Sidney Kidd away forever, Dexter gets him to dictate the story, which he does in a wonderfully enthusiastic, uninhibited manner. When Liz arrives, Connor leaves with Tracy, and thanks in part to the effects of the alcohol, they impulsively go for a midnight swim.

Objective Story Journey #3 from The Preconscious to The Subconscious:

Dexter arrives at the house, figures out immediately what is going on with Tracy and Connor. When Kittredge arrives, Dexter, who has a very clear sense of who Kittredge really is at his core, easily manipulates Kittredge into believing his first impression of what is going on between Tracy and Connor. When Kittredge takes a swing at Connor, Dexter literally beats him to the punch, and Kittredge leaves in a huff.

Objective Story Signpost #4 as it relates to The Subconscious:

Once Tracy wakes up and realizes what happened the night before, she has a very clear sense of who she really is, and she doesn't like what she sees. Connor reassesses his prejudices, and sees that "In spite of the fact that someone's up from the bottom, he may be quite a heel. And that even though someone else's born to the purple, he still may be quite a guy;" George, under the assumption that he was witness to a sordid affair between Tracy and Connor on the eve of her wedding, has trouble forgiving her. Connor explains that nothing happened last night, which baffles Tracy ("Why? Was I so unattractive? So distant? So forbidding?") and he explains that she while was extremely attractive, she was also a bit worse for the wine ("and there are rules about that"). Tracy thinks all men are wonderful. But she knows now that she can't marry George. She sees him now for the snob he really is. George leaves, and Mike tries to leap in and save the day, offering to marry Tracy, but she turns him down, knowing that Liz wouldn't be happy (nor would Mike or Tracy, for that matter). Ultimately Tracy goes through with her wedding to Dexter, "as originally and most beautifully planned."

The Subjective Throughline Act Order:

Subjective Story Signpost #1 as it relates to The Present:

When Dexter shows up the day before Tracy is to be married, she almost throws him and the reporters out. But Dexter explains that the reporters are there to write the story of her wedding ("an intimate day with a society bride") in exchange for an expose on Seth Lord's affair with a Broadway actress. It's blackmail, but Tracy acquiesces because she doesn't want anything to get in the way of her wedding.

Subjective Story Journey #1 from The Present to The Past:

Dexter tells Tracy that she doesn't look old enough to marry anyone, and that she never did. He muses, "I think you should have stuck with me longer, Red." Tracy replies that she thought it was for life, but the judge gave her a full pardon.

Subjective Story Signpost #2 as it relates to The Past:

In the scene by the pool, Dexter and Tracy's argument quickly turns to a rehashing of their past. Dexter brings up Tracy's intolerance to his drinking, and how their marriage fell apart because of it. He then reminds her of the time she got drunk and climbed naked onto the roof, her "arms out to the moon, wailing like a banshee." She refers to this past incident as a childish episode.

Subjective Story Journey #2 from The Past to Progress:

Liz arrives at Dexter's house with the sleeping Tracy in her car. Dexter sidles up next to her and pretends to be asleep as well. She stirs, and he tells her she's beautiful. Tawny, as though she'd been drinking. She says she doesn't drink. He says he forgot. There is a tenderness to the moment. Their relationship is indeed making progress.

Subjective Story Signpost #3 as it relates to Progress:

While Dexter and Tracy barely appear together in Act 3, in a scene with Tracy and Connor, Tracy calls Connor a snob, which hearkens back to an earlier Tracy/Dexter scene, by telling Connor that he'll never be a first class human being until he learns to "have some small regard for human frailty." These are the exact words Dexter used to describe Tracy's intolerance.

Subjective Story Journey #3 from Progress to The Future:

The morning after Uncle Willie's party, Tracy feels terrible, imagining the worst of herself. Dexter tells her he's planning to build another boat, and possibly call it the True Love II. Tracy says if he does, she'll blow it out of the water. When Tracy refers to herself as "the Easy Virtue," Dexter comes to her defense. Tracy says she just doesn't know anything anymore, and Dexter smiles and says "That sounds very hopeful, Red. That's just fine."

Subjective Story Signpost #4 as it relates to The Future:

Very briefly at the end, after Tracy refuses Connor's offer of marriage, Dexter tells her that she has been gotten out of jams before (implying that she will be gotten out of them again in the future). Tracy determines that it will not be like that anymore. She goes to tell the guests what has happened, but asks Dexter to supply the words. She will be marrying him after all, "as originally and most beautifully planned."

The Main Character Throughline Act Order:

Main Character Signpost #1 as it relates to Doing:

In the opening scene, Tracy kicks Dexter out of the house, and breaks his golf clubs. "Two years later" (according to the titles), Tracy is preparing for her wedding to Kittredge by writing thank you cards. Her focus is on doing what is necessary to ensure that the wedding goes off without a hitch. When she goes to meet Kittredge at the stables, she thinks he looks too clean, and so she knocks him down and dirties him up. When she hears that reporters will be staying in the house for the wedding, she intends to "give them a taste of home life that will stand their hair on end." She does everything she can to stir things up for them (Connor wonders at one point "who's interviewing who, around here?"). She involves Uncle Willie in this by referring to him as "Dear Papá," and Seth, when he arrives, as "Uncle Willie."

Main Character Journey #1 from Doing to Understanding:

When Seth Lord arrives, and she impulsively refers to him as "Uncle Willie," he (referring to her as "Justice, with her shining sword") wants to know the meaning of what is going on. Tracy says they are all on the spot, thanks to him. It is clear that they understand each other very well.

Main Character Signpost #2 as it relates to Understanding:

When Tracy is at the library reading Connor's book, she claims to understand him very well. She understands that the poet is the real him and the tough exterior is something he puts on. When Dexter arrives at the pool, he accuses Tracy of having little understanding toward the faults of others. When George tells her that he has always worshipped her from afar, Tracy begins to understand that he may not be the man she thought she knew. When she confronts Seth on his philandering, he tells her that she has "everything necessary to make a fine woman, except the one essential- an understanding heart."

Main Character Journey #2 from Understanding to Obtaining:

Just before they leave for Uncle Willie's party, Connor shows up, wanting to know what the matter is with Tracy. She tells him to remember "With the rich and mighty, always a little patience." They share an understanding. Connor leaves, and Tracy starts to drink.

Main Character Signpost #3 as it relates to Obtaining:

In this act Tracy is intent on losing control. Throughout the entire party, she speaks of little else than having another drink. She tells Kittredge about a "Chinese poet who drowned while trying to kiss the moon in the river. He was drunk." When George goes to get their coats, Tracy tells Margaret that she thinks "everybody should have a good time." When she and Connor drive away from Dexter's house, she wants to have a quick swim. When Connor kisses her, she says she's got the shakes and "feet of clay." She gives herself to Connor, telling him to "put me in your pocket."

Main Character Journey #3 from Obtaining to Learning:

When Tracy awakens she thinks she has been robbed. She can't find her bracelet and engagement ring. She has also found a man's wrist watch. She's curious to learn where it came from. Once she does learn, she begins to think the worst of herself.

Main Character Signpost #4 as it relates to Learning:

Tracy starts to learn exactly what happened last night, both from Dinah's account (" . . . it was all pretty rooty-tooty, if you ask me") and Connor's. The more she finds out the more she learns about herself and about Kittredge. When she reads his letter, she learns a great deal about his character. When all is said and done, Tracy has indeed learned a lot about who she really is and what it's like to be truly human.

The Obstacle Character Throughline Act Order:

Obstacle Character Signpost #1 as it relates to Conceptualizing:

Although Dexter will later speak of his reaction to hearing the news of Tracy's impending wedding, the story begins with the implementation of an idea. Dexter is using Kidd and the reporters to justify insinuating himself into the Lord house and back into Tracy's life.

Obstacle Character Journey #1 from Conceptualizing to Becoming:

Dexter sticks around to see exactly how his plan plays out. He tells Kittredge that Tracy will require lots of trouble to mature properly. Kittredge says he won't give her any, and Dexter says he thinks Tracy should have stuck with him longer.

Obstacle Character Signpost #2 as it relates to Becoming:

In the scene by the pool, Dexter shows that he is a changed man, no longer driven to drink (he now finds "pale shades more becoming" in his drinks). He tells Tracy that she'll never be a first class woman unless she changes, "till you've learned to have some regard for human frailty."

Obstacle Character Journey #2 from Becoming to Being:

When Connor comes to Dexter's house to ask about his intentions in regard to Tracy, Connor sees his own book on Dexter's shelf and senses that Dexter is not all he seems ("C. K. Dexter Haven, you are a man of unsuspected depth").

Obstacle Character Signpost #3 as it relates to Being:

Dexter takes on the role of writer in order to put a stop to Sidney Kidd once and for all. Later that night, he pretends that he is trying to spare Kittredge from the indignity of seeing his fiancee with another man, when that is exactly what he wants Kittredge to think. Dexter manipulates the entire situation, so that Kittredge follows his first impressions and thinking the worst of Tracy

Obstacle Character Journey #3 from Being to Conceiving:

When Kittredge arrives and hears Tracy at the pool with Connor, Dexter pretends to be on George's side in all of this. He tells George that "we're all only human, you know," to which Kittredge replies, "You- all of you- with your sophisticated ideas."

Obstacle Character Signpost #4 as it relates to Conceiving:

Dexter manipulates Tracy and her interpretation of events in such a way as to make Tracy come up with the idea that she can't marry Kittredge. He tosses in just enough comments to make George's ideas about what happened the night before seem petty and closed minded. When Tracy is making her apologies to the guests, Dexter comes up with the idea to marry her right then and there. And Tracy thinks its a wonderful idea.

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Miscellaneous Other Storytelling Items:

All Concerns:

Tracy Lord is about to marry George Kittredge, and is very proud of her catch ("Is he not handsome?" "Already he's of national importance"). Unfortunately almost everyone else seems to have doubts that Kittredge is the one who can make Tracy really happy. Dexter, Tracy's former husband, shows up and they argue over the future they might have had. Dexter claims to be a changed man, but Tracy doesn't see it, until she comes face to face with some of her own faults.

Master Plot Synopsis:

Two reporters and C.K. Dexter Haven show up at the Lord house on the eve of Tracy Lord's wedding. In order to stop a scandal, the Lords pretend not to know that they are reporters. Dexter brings up his and Tracy's past together and Tracy's father echoes Dexter's words, accusing her of being a bronze goddess. Tracy and the reporter get drunk, and Tracy falls for him. When her fiancee sees them, he suspects the worst. Tracy doesn't remember what happened and thinks the worst of herself. Tracy tells the fiancee to go and she and Dexter get married.

Master Theme Synopsis:

All of the characters in "The Philadelphia Story" are dealing with closure. Tracy is trying to bring her previous marriage to a close, George is trying to solidify his social status, Dinah is trying too put a stop to the wedding.

Tracy is accused by many of the men in her life of being self absorbed and unforgiving. Dexter in particular points out that perhaps if Tracy's "foot would slip a bit" that she might learn a bit of compassion for others.

As it turns out, by drinking in order to forget her problems, Tracy's foot does indeed slip. Although she doesn't remember the specific events of the night before, she assumes the worst, and is disappointed when she realizes that Kittredge is not the man she imagined him to be. She does however learn a great deal about compassion and forgiveness, and her own humanness.

Subjective Character Synopsis:

Tracy Lord is about to be happily married (or so she thinks). But then C. K. Dexter Haven, her former husband, shows up a day before the wedding and throws a wrench into the works. Claiming that he is trying to avert a potential scandal, he has invited a couple of reporters to stay at the Lord house to get a story on the wedding. But while he's there, Dexter confronts Tracy on a number of issues. He clearly thinks that Tracy is marrying beneath herself and that she would never be happy with Kittredge. He makes her consider the idea that they might have been happy together if only she were a more tolerant person. In part to block out what Dexter is telling her, Tracy gets drunk, and only proves his point. She ultimately learns that she can't marry Kittredge after all, and remarries Dexter, open to a new future with him.

Master Character Synopsis:

Tracy is described by many as being cold, aloof, and unforgiving. On the eve of her wedding, she drinks to put these accusations behind her and ultimately discovers that she is very much a human being. Dexter, her ex husband, thinks that Tracy is marrying beneath herself, and takes advantage of the situation to show Tracy her weak spots and prove to her that he, not Kittredge, should be marrying her. Connor, the reporter, has contempt for the upper class, but nonetheless finds himself drawn toward Tracy. By the time the night is over, Connor has learned a bit about himself and human frailties as well. Kittredge, the fiance, at first comes off as merely a bit stuffy, but ultimately reveals himself to be small minded and more than a bit self-centered. Dinah really doesn't like Kittredge (not that she's alone in this) and cheerfully does what she can to postpone the wedding. Seth Lord, Tracy's father (whom Tracy decided not invite), is a philanderer. When Tracy expresses her contempt for him and blames him for their predicament, he lets loose on Tracy and tells her that she is partially to blame for his behavior.