Home Dear Educator Letter Curriculum Connections Enroll Julius Caesar The Philadelphia Story Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Casablanca THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER Behind the Scenes Before/During Viewing Activities After Viewing Activities Elements of Drama Aspects of Film Brigadoon Ah, Wilderness! Gaslight Evaluation

Behind the Scenes Bette Davis saw "The Man Who Came to Dinner" on Broadway and immediately wanted to play the role of Maggie (the antithesis of her usual roles). She wanted the role desperately because she wanted to act with the legendary John Barrymore (to play Sheridan Whiteside). At her insistence, Warner Bros. tested Barrymore for the role, but his failing health and inability to remember his lines cost him the job. Before production Bette Davis' dog bit her on the nose and she had to travel to the East Coast to recover. Taking advantage of her leave, Warner Bros. told Barrymore he did not get the job and gave the role to Monty Woolley, who played Sheridan on stage. Davis was infuriated. When she returned to Hollywood she fussed endlessly, even though Woolley was doing a superb job. In fact, Davis admits "I felt the film was not directed in a very imaginative way. For me it was not a happy film to make--that it was a success, of course, did make me happy. I guess I never got over my disappointment in not working with the great John Barrymore."