The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

"It boy" radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley), traveling through the midwest on his way somewhere much better, grudgingly stops off for dinner in Ohio with a prominent local family. On his way into their place, he slips on the icy steps and is forced to convalesce -- against his wishes and those of the host couple -- in their home for the Christmas season. The only one who doesn't seem put out by the interruption in the normal schedule is his secretary (Bette Davis) who has finally stopped long enough to consider stopping permanently.

Such a quick-witted film with lots of laughs. Woolley is simply wonderful in his role -- deliberately abrasive to those he disdains while going out of his way to bond with and advise everyone else. The only complaint is that it goes on a little long. Jimmy Durante could have been completely cut as his only purpose seems to be so that we can say "hey! Jimmy Durante!"

Not one of the well-known Christmas movies, but worth seeking out.

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