What Is The Man Who Came to Dinner About?
The premise of The Man Who Came to Dinner in 297 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a cozy Ohio town poised for a quiet holiday season, the Stanley family opens their home to a guest they never expected. The modest residence, filled with the comforts of domestic routine, suddenly finds itself the stage for an unlikely comedy of errors, as the usual cadence of domestic life is set to be upended by a very particular kind of visitor.
Enter Sheridan Whiteside, a razor‑tongued radio star whose reputation for demanding perfection precedes him. A misstep on a frosty staircase leaves him with a broken hip and no easy way to return to the city, forcing the unsuspecting couple to extend his stay through the Christmas holidays. Whiteside’s larger‑than‑life personality, his keen eye for critique, and his unrelenting schedule of eccentric requests begin to ripple through the house, turning ordinary rooms into arenas of witty repartee and controlled chaos.
As Whiteside settles in, his entourage of loyal assistants and eccentric acquaintances begin to drift through the doorway, each adding a layer of flamboyance to the already bustling household. Maggie Cutler, his devoted secretary, brings a steady, if slightly exasperated, presence that balances his flamboyance with quiet competence. The dynamics between the Stanley family’s pragmatic sensibilities and Whiteside’s theatrical demands create a lively tension that dances between affectionate banter and delightful exasperation, hinting at the creative sparks that can ignite when opposites collide.
The atmosphere swells with sharp dialogue, rapid‑fire sarcasm, and a warm undercurrent of holiday goodwill. The stage is set for a series of comedic misunderstandings and heartfelt moments, all revolving around the clash of a disciplined, middle‑class home and the boundless, often outrageous world of a man who lives for the spotlight. The result is a charmingly chaotic tableau that promises laughter, wit, and a touch of unexpected inspiration for everyone involved.
What Happens in The Man Who Came to Dinner?
The complete story of The Man Who Came to Dinner, from the first scene to the last, in 664 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
As the story unfolds, Sheridan Whiteside, portrayed by Bette Davis, an infamous New York radio personality, experiences an unexpected mishap during his lecture tour, resulting in an unceremonious tumble down the icy steps of the Stanley family home in a quaint Ohio town. This prominent family, already fraught with anxiety over a looming $150,000 lawsuit with the esteemed lawyer Thomas E. Dewey, begrudgingly agrees to host Whiteside for the Christmas holidays, despite the disruption he promises to bring.
Upon settling in, Whiteside swiftly claims dominance over the Stanleys’ household, commandeering the best rooms and relegating his hosts to the upper floors. In a scheming twist, he convinces Dr. Thompson to prolong his recovery time by fishing for a promise that he would read the doctor’s unpublished work, only to utterly disregard it. Meanwhile, his extravagant lifestyle leads to sky-high phone bills as he entertains notable figures like Winston Churchill and Emperor Haile Selassie with grand tales of his own supposed greatness. The Stanleys’ home becomes a veritable circus of chaos, with an influx of outlandish gifts from various naturalists, including live deliveries of four penguins and even an octopus.
Whiteside’s magnetic presence inadvertently stirs creativity in the young couple, Richard and June, the Stanley children, who aspire to follow their artistic dreams, much to their father’s chagrin. He whimsically characterizes Ernest Stanley’s peculiar sister Harriet as “straight out of the Hound of the Baskervilles,” struggling to recollect where he has seen such a face before.
While the whirlwind of Whiteside’s antics transpires, his devoted assistant Maggie Cutler, played by Ann Sheridan, finds herself developing feelings for local journalist Bert Jefferson. Following their shared moments, Bert’s play captivates Maggie, leading her to ask Whiteside to facilitate its introduction to influential circles. As their relationship blossoms, Maggie surprises even herself with her intentions to marry Bert and leave her job, unaware that Bert is blissfully oblivious to her plans. In a flirtatious exchange, Bert gifts her a gold charm bracelet for Christmas, encapsulating their sweet early romance.
However, as the prospect of losing Maggie looms over Whiteside, he resorts to undesirable tactics to prevent this budding romance. He intentionally exaggerates his injuries, thus extending his stay in the Stanley home while devising schemes to disrupt Bert and Maggie’s relationship. Enter Lorraine Sheldon, a woman of undeniable charm, whom Whiteside seduces into a scheme aimed at stealing Bert’s affection by tantalizing her with a potential spotlight in an upcoming production by an alleged prominent playwright.
As Whitides’ influence grows, Maggie becomes increasingly anxious with Lorraine’s interference. In a clever counter-move, she teams up with Whiteside’s friend, Beverly Carlton, a master mimic and trickster, to impersonate the elusive Lord Cedric Bottomley, enticing Lorraine back to Palm Beach under false pretenses. When Lorraine realizes the ruse, she is outraged and vows revenge, determined to take Bert away from Maggie.
When Maggie uncovers Whiteside’s role in the scheme against Lorraine, she severs her ties with him, leaving him somewhat remorseful. In a final effort to eliminate Lorraine as a rival, Whiteside hatches a cunning plot alongside his friend Banjo. They appeal to Lorraine’s vanity, tricking her into stepping into an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, which they then seal and ship off to Nova Scotia.
The tension reaches a breaking point when Mr. Stanley submits to his frustrations, issuing a warrant for Whiteside to vacate his home within a tight timeframe of just 15 minutes. As the clock ticks down, Whiteside employs his cunning to blackmail Mr. Stanley into rescinding the warrant, threatening to expose Harriet’s notorious past as an axe murderess—a juicy tidbit that gives him the upper hand.
As Whiteside prepares to exit, an unexpected phone call from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt goes unanswered in the madness. In a final moment of comic chaos, Whiteside trips once more on the icy steps, only to be carried back inside by his loyal assistants, leaving Mr. Stanley exasperated and Eleanor’s call forgotten, muted by the hustle and bustle of the day’s misadventures.
The Man Who Came to Dinner Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Whiteside's Mishap” to “Comic Chaos and Departure”. Every event takes place in Stanley family's home, Ohio.
- 1
Whiteside's Mishap
The story begins with Sheridan Whiteside, a famous radio personality, suffering a mishap during his lecture tour. He tumbles down the icy steps of the Stanley family's home in Ohio, leading to a chaotic start to his stay.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 2
The Stanley Family's Reluctant Hostage
Despite their better judgment, the Stanley family agrees to host Whiteside during the Christmas holidays. This decision comes amid their stress over a significant lawsuit, making it even more burdensome to accommodate their uninvited guest.
When:Christmas holidays Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 3
Whiteside Takes Over
Upon arriving, Whiteside swiftly asserts his dominance over the household, claiming the best rooms and pushing his hosts to the upper floors. His commanding presence sets the tone for a tumultuous stay filled with his extravagant demands.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 4
Scheming with Dr. Thompson
Whiteside manipulates Dr. Thompson into extending his recovery time by promising to read the doctor's unpublished work. However, he disregards the promise, showcasing his selfish and opportunistic nature during his stay.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 5
Extravagance and Chaos
Whiteside's extravagant lifestyle leads to unexpected chaos as he entertains notable figures. The Stanleys' home transforms into a circus, complete with surprising gifts like live penguins and an octopus delivered to their doorstep.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 6
Inspiration Strikes
As chaos ensues, the young Stanley couple, Richard and June, find inspiration from Whiteside's antics. Their artistic ambitions begin to flourish, much to their father’s dismay as they embrace the creative chaos around them.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 7
Maggie's Growing Affection
Maggie Cutler, Whiteside's assistant, starts developing feelings for local journalist Bert Jefferson. Their relationship deepens as they bond over Bert's play, which leads Maggie to make plans to further their romance.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 8
Whiteside's Distrust
Concerned about losing Maggie, Whiteside resorts to desperate measures to disrupt her budding romance. He exaggerates his injuries to prolong his stay, plotting against Bert and Maggie’s relationship.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 9
The Manipulative Charm of Lorraine Sheldon
Lorraine Sheldon enters the scene, enchanting Whiteside and complicating matters with her charm. He concocts a scheme to woo Bert away from Maggie by exploiting Lorraine's desire for fame in a proposed production.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 10
Maggie's Clever Counter
In response to Lorraine’s interference, Maggie teams up with Beverly Carlton to impersonate a wealthy figure and lure Lorraine away. This clever ruse sets off a chain of dramatic events, showcasing Maggie's wit.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
Show the other 5 events of The Man Who Came to Dinner Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Lorraine's Outrage
When Lorraine discovers the truth behind the impersonation, she is furious and vows revenge against Maggie. The tension escalates between the women, complicating Maggie’s relationship with Bert even further.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 12
Whiteside's Remorse
Maggie learns of Whiteside's involvement in the scheme against Lorraine and chooses to sever her ties with him. Whiteside experiences a moment of remorse, realizing the consequences of his manipulative actions.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 13
The Sarcophagus Scheme
To eliminate Lorraine as a competitor, Whiteside devises a plan with Banjo to trap her in an ancient sarcophagus. This ludicrous plot highlights his eagerness to maintain control over his chaotic environment.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 14
Frustration and Ultimatum
Tensions reach a climax when Mr. Stanley issues a warrant for Whiteside to vacate the premises within 15 minutes. Whiteside resorts to blackmailing Mr. Stanley, threatening to expose a family secret to ensure his stay.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
- 15
Comic Chaos and Departure
As Whiteside attempts to leave, he misses a critical phone call from Eleanor Roosevelt amidst the commotion. In a final twist, he trips on the icy steps again, symbolizing the chaotic end of his misadventures.
Where:Stanley family's home, Ohio
Who Are the Main Characters in The Man Who Came to Dinner?
5 characters, among them Sheridan Whiteside, Maggie Cutler and Bert Jefferson: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 2 of them link to the actor’s page.
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Sheridan Whiteside
Played by Bette Davis
Sheridan Whiteside is a flamboyant and domineering New York radio personality who enters the lives of the Stanleys with chaos and wit. Known for his sharp tongue and manipulative tactics, he often prioritizes his ambitions over the well-being of those around him.
- 🎤 Radio Personality
- 🐅 Manipulative
- MC
Maggie Cutler
Played by Ann Sheridan
Maggie Cutler is Whiteside's devoted assistant, cautious yet creative, who navigates her feelings for local journalist Bert Jefferson. Her character arc showcases her growth as she contemplates her future and the potential of leaving her job behind.
- 💼 Assistant
- 💖 Romantic
- BJ
Bert Jefferson
Bert Jefferson, a local journalist, is the object of Maggie's affections. His charm and creativity become pivotal as he woos Maggie while remaining blissfully unaware of the schemes around them. His character embodies youthful romance and aspiration.
- 📰 Journalist
- 💑 Love Interest
- LS
Lorraine Sheldon
Lorraine Sheldon is a charming woman ensnared in the intricacies of Whiteside's plotting. Her allure becomes a source of contention between Maggie and Whiteside, as she becomes a rival for Bert's attention.
- 💁♀️ Rival
- 🌟 Charming
- MS
Mr. Stanley
Mr. Stanley, the head of the family, faces mounting frustration as Whiteside disrupts their lives. His character represents the traditional family man trying to maintain order amidst the madness.
- 👨👩👧 Family Man
- 😤 Frustrated
Where and When Is The Man Who Came to Dinner Set?
The Man Who Came to Dinner is set in Ohio and Stanley family home (Christmas holidays, early 20th century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Christmas holidays, early 20th century
Set during the Christmas holidays, the film captures the era's festive spirit while highlighting the social dynamics and cultural norms of the early 20th century. This period was characterized by traditional family values and the emerging influence of media personalities.
Where
Ohio, Stanley family home
The story takes place in a quaint Ohio town, specifically within the confines of the Stanley family home. Renowned for its charm, the house becomes a temporary stage for a series of comedic events and mishaps during the Christmas holidays.
- 🏡 Home
- 🌨️ Winter
What Are the Themes of The Man Who Came to Dinner?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Chaos, Love & Relationships and Creativity.
-
01
Chaos
The theme of chaos permeates through the film as Sheridan Whiteside disrupts the lives of the Stanleys with his larger-than-life personality. His antics lead to a whirlwind of comedic situations that challenge the family's tranquility.
-
02
Love & Relationships
The evolving relationships between characters, especially between Maggie and Bert, illustrate the complexities of love. The interference from Whiteside and Lorraine adds tension to their budding romance, highlighting themes of fidelity and emotional conflict.
-
03
Creativity
Whiteside's presence inspires creativity within the Stanley children, pushing them to pursue their artistic dreams. His influence acts as a catalyst for growth, showcasing the impact one individual can have on the aspirations of others.
What Kind of Film Is The Man Who Came to Dinner?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, whimsical screwball comedy brimming with chaotic energy as a tyrannical celebrity guest turns a quiet household upside down with outrageous demands and hilarious schemes.
- whimsical
- chaotic
- upbeat
- farce-like
- sophisticated
- playful
- houseguest from hell
- class clash
- screwball comedy
- creative disruption
Content notes: blackmail, brief mention of past murder.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Man Who Came to Dinner? Test yourself on the story.
