Desk Set

1957
Approved
1h 43m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

9.7K

YOUR RATING

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Desk Set (1957)

Trailer for this classic directed by Walter Lang

Play trailer2:18

1 Video

40 Photos

Comedy Romance

Two extremely strong personalities clash over the computerization of a television network's research department.Two extremely strong personalities clash over the computerization of a television network's research department.Two extremely strong personalities clash over the computerization of a television network's research department.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

9.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 2:18

Desk Set

Photos40

+ 33

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Improvised Scene: Sumner is leaving Bunny's apartment, shortly after Mike leaves and Peg arrives, when Bunny and Sumner are recapping the afternoon's events for Peg. Sumner puts on the ruined shoes and grimaces as he tries to walk in them, which causes Bunny to laugh. He hobbles off stage and returns with his hat pulled down over his ears, his shirt dangling out of his pants, staggering as though drunk and talking crazy. This moment, including the women's hysterical laughter and Katharine Hepburn's nearly falling out of her chair, is spontaneous and not in the script.

Goofs
In the opening shot of the film at Rockefeller Center, the shot begins at ground level and tilts up the building, but it was clearly shot from the top of the building down to ground level and then reversed because all the people on the ground are walking backwards.

Quotes
[Sumner answers the phone while the girls are at a Christmas party]
Richard Sumner: Hello? Santa Claus's reindeer? Uh, why yes I can... let's see, there's Dopey, Sneezy, Grouchy, Happy, Sleepy, uh Rudolph, and Blitzen! You're welcome!

Crazy credits
Opening credits: "The filmmakers gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the International Business Machines Corporation."

Connections
Featured in Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years (1997)

Soundtracks
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
(uncredited)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn
Lyrics by Charles Wesley
Sung by a chorus during the shot of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

User reviews121

Review

Featured review

Take a Second Look

On my first viewing of this movie, I didn't particularly like it. I was surprised that Tracy and Hepburn filmed this movie at all. But then, I re-watched it recently during the AMC tribute to the late great Kate. On second viewing, I found a lot about it endearing and quite humorous.

Although the technology is antiquated, the reaction to change in an organization is not. Speaking from an EEO perspective, Hepburn's boyfriend would be a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen in today's world. However, the office politics are identical to the office politics today. Instead of using the telephone to gossip, people in the office now use email.

Tracy and Hepburn gave great performances in this light-hearted romantic comedy. The scene in Hepburn's apartment is hilarious. Her reaction to her boyfriend's suggestion that he thought she would be alone is priceless. And, when Tracy stumbles out, we get to see Hepburn's uncontrollable laughter (that was probably not scripted) which always makes me lol.

So, take a second look if you first didn't like this movie.