Watch Dinner for Eight

Dinner for Eight is a 1933 American pre-code comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor. The film is based on the topical play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, which was first performed on Broadway in 1932. The film is renowned for its ensemble cast, including Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore, Lee Tracy, Edmund Lowe, and Billie Burke.

The story revolves around the character of Millicent Jordan (Billie Burke), a wealthy socialite who plans to host a dinner party for her wealthy friends. The occasion is meant to celebrate the recent engagement of her daughter Paula (Madge Evans) to Ernest DeGraff (Phillips Holmes). However, the dinner plans quickly unravel as personal and financial problems among the guests create chaos and drama.

Millicent's husband, Oliver (Lionel Barrymore), is a former wealthy businessman who has suffered financial losses in the stock market. He is now forced to work as a clerk for Dan Packard (Wallace Beery), a wealthy businessman who is having an affair with Oliver's former lover, Kitty Packard (Jean Harlow). Meanwhile, Carlotta Vance (Marie Dressler), a fading actress, is struggling to finance her next gig, and her heavy drinking threatens to ruin her career.

The other guests at the dinner include Larry Renault (John Barrymore), a troubled alcoholic actor, and his former lover, the ditzy actress Jean Harlow (Kitty Packard). Tracy Lord (Edmund Lowe), a temperamental writer, is also attending the dinner with his wife, Lucy (Karen Morley), who is secretly in love with him. Despite the financial and personal upheaval among the guests, the dinner party goes ahead as planned, and the interactions among the characters provide the film's central drama.

Throughout the film, the characters engage in a series of witty and intelligent conversations that reveal their complex personalities, desires, and flaws. The characters' interactions are also marked by a sense of social commentary, as the film explores themes around class, money, and the impact of the Great Depression on American society. The film's performances are exceptional, with Dressler standing out for her strong portrayal of Carlotta, who provides a sense of hope and stability amidst the chaos.

Overall, Dinner for Eight is a witty and insightful film that combines comedic elements with deeper social commentary. It showcases some of the best actors of the era in a tightly scripted ensemble piece that explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of navigating life amidst financial and personal turmoil. The film's charm lies in its ability to create an intimate portrait of a group of individuals whose personalities and desires clash in unpredictable ways, all while commenting on the larger issues facing American society during one of its most difficult periods.

Dinner for Eight is a 2023 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.