Movie 5 - "Desk Set"

Today, I introduced my kiddos to Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.  So I decided to make "Desk Set" my movie tonight.  This movie shows what the beginnings of computers looked like and how they worked.  They actually cooperated with IBM in 1957 to show us the capabilities of the "electronic brain."  Since we are doing inventors and inventions in Social Studies, I thought they would like to see just this part of the Rated G movie.  They show the machine being fed information in code and giving information.  They loved it!  This is another less known Hepburn/Tracy film.  But honestly, it is one of my favs!  It is a true glimpse into a different era, where everyone drank and smoke...at work.  Technology was just beginning to take off and women were in the workplace, even in the fifties!

This was directed by Walter Lang and stars Heburn as Bunny, a reference manager, and Tracy as Richard Sumner, an efficiency expert of sorts.  Bunny works for a large media corporation and is head of the reference department.  All this means is she and her employees look up information for people who can't find it.  Where is this job?!!!  I want it!  Sorry, I digress.  Bunny has also been dating one of the younger execs at the company, waiting with anticipation for the time when he will propose (and kind of being a doormat).  Years later and she still is waiting (see), even though she makes herself readily available to him.  Then comes Sumner, hired to observe the reference department and determine how to make it more efficient.  At this company, the rumor mill begins to weigh on the ladies of the department.  They begin to wonder if their jobs are on the line when Sumner starts taking notes.  All the while, Sumner and Bunny get closer, yet she still holds on to the hope of the other man.  Which man does she choose?  Do the ladies in the reference department lose their jobs?  All good questions!  Watch the movie.  :)

The wit and humor in this film are excellent.  I have two favorite scenes.  One is when Hepburn sings her Christmas party rendition of "Night and Day".  The other is when Hepburn and Tracy have lunch together on the roof.  The quiz he gives her is extremely entertaining!  Oh, and when Hepburn makes floating island for dessert.  But I think that is just because it made me hungry.  Ha!  I realize many have never even heard of this one, but it really is great!  Watch it!!!