Review of Desk Set

Desk Set (1957)
10/10
A matched set
10 May 2013
In this their second to last feature together and arguably their best Tracy and Hepburn light up the screen with their special spark which shines a little brighter here than in most of their other pairings. Perhaps the reason for that is here they play mature adults who respect each other first and then very slowly give in to their attraction with cute misunderstandings along the way. While that isn't so far removed from several of their other comedies by this point they were able to do it so deftly the whole thing takes on an extra sheen. Another big plus is the superior supporting cast of the picture. Gig Young does the slick, slightly caddish glad hander he did so well and a very young Dina Merrill is clever and chic as one of the other office girls. But the real standouts are Neva Patterson as the tightly wound, buttoned up computer Nazi supervisor Miss Warriner but better still is the divine and vastly underrated Joan Blondell, as Kate's best buddy Peg she is adorably entertaining. A little man hungry, but worldly wise she walks off with any scene she is in. The tipsy scene between she and the stars is a superb chance to see three great actors elevate a simple situation by infusing it with their seasoned skill.
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