Wonkette Movie Night: The Philadelphia Story Katharine Hepburn was labeled ‘box office poison’ in 1938, prompting her to invest in and star in the Broadway play ‘The Philadelphia Story.’ She later sold the film rights to Howard Hughes, who gifted them to her, allowing her to sell them for a substantial profit and secure creative control for the film adaptation. The Philadelphia Story became a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Academy Awards and solidifying Hepburn’s comeback.

• Katharine Hepburn was labeled ‘box office poison’ by cinema owner Harry Brandt in 1938.
• To revive her career, Hepburn invested in and starred in the Broadway play ‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1939).
• Howard Hughes purchased the film rights and gifted them to Hepburn, who then sold them to MGM for $250,000.
• Hepburn demanded and received full creative control over the film’s production.
• The Philadelphia Story was a major success, earning more than three times its production cost and receiving 6 Academy Award nominations, winning 2.
• The film is considered a classic romantic comedy and holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The movie was remade as the musical High Society in 1956.