The Man Who Came to Dinner (film)

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 1942 American comedy film directed by William Keighley, and starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan and Monty Woolley as the title character. The screenplay by Julius and Philip G. Epstein is based on the 1939 play of the same title by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The supporting cast features Jimmy Durante and Billie Burke.

Meanwhile, Whitesides spinster assistant Maggie Cutler Bette Davis finds herself attracted to local newspaperman Bert Jefferson Richard Travis. When she reads Berts play, she is so impressed she asks Whiteside to show it to his contacts and then announces she will quit his employment and marry Bert. However, her boss is loath to lose such an efficient aide and does his best to sabotage the blossoming romance. He also exaggerates the effects of his injuries to be able to stay in the house. He suggests actress Lorraine Sheldon Ann Sheridan would be perfect for one of the leading roles, intending to have her steal Bert away from Maggie. Lorraine convinces Bert to spend time with her to fix up the play. When Maggie realizes Whiteside is behind the underhanded scheme, she quits. Somewhat chastened, Whiteside concocts a plan to get Lorraine out of the way, with the help of his friend Banjo Jimmy Durante. They trap Lorraine in an Egyptian sarcophagus, and Banjo ships her off to Nova Scotia.Finally fed up with Whitesides shenanigans, insults, and unbearable personality, and realizing that he has been faking his injuries for quite some time, Mr. Stanley orders him to leave. Before he does, Whiteside blackmails him into allowing his children to do as they please by threatening to reveal Stanleys sister Harriets past as an infamous axe murderess. As Whiteside departs, he falls on the icy steps again and is carried back inside, much to Stanleys consternation. ........

Source: Wikipedia