Desk Set

1957 "The girls and guys who make the office such a wonderful place to love in!"
7.2| 1h43m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 02 August 1957 Released
Producted By: 20th Century Fox
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

A computer expert tries to prove his electronic brain can replace a television network's research staff.

Genre

Comedy, Romance

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Desk Set (1957) is currently not available on any services.

Director

Walter Lang

Production Companies

20th Century Fox

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Desk Set Audience Reviews

Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.
spencer-w-hensley I love many of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy's films, especially ones they did together like "Adam's Rib" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". I was eager to see another pairing of their's and happened to stumble upon this one. And I don't think I have been quite as disappointed in watching a movie in quite some time. The movie is definitely watchable, and a lot of that goes to Hepburn's performance alone, as well as some occasionally witty dialog, but overall it tries too hard to be a convincing story about romance, office politics, and things of the sort, and what you have in the end is very little laughs and more frustration than amusement. The movie seems more focused on the cutes between Hepburn and Tracy, but doesn't offer anything genuine, or genuinely funny in doing so. The story for a 1950's comedy could have been terrific if more humor and natural chemistry were evident between the stars. In their other outings Hepburn and Tracy seemed a lot more natural, here it seems like their chemistry is forced in hopes of making a good movie which turns out rather bland and mediocre. I have seen many worse films, but I expected a lot more amusement out of this. Rather than being entertained I kept scratching my head thinking "How could this have gone wrong?" Well somehow it did. I think the film would have been funnier if more was focused on the office politics, supporting characters and less on the forced romance. But since more was focused on the latter, the film was uneven and all opportunities for a bulls-eye in the end were missed for me. Watch the aforementioned Hepburn-Tracy flicks. They have more to offer in the way of entertainment.
Bryan Bjerke I'm a young male that decided to watch this movie at random. This seems to be geared towards older ladies. Now I typically enjoy older movies, but this film just did not seem to age very well. It did have a few memorable scenes so I don't regret watching it, but I wouldn't recommend this movie however.
Python Hyena Desk Set (1957): Dir: Walter Lang / Cast: Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Gig Young, Joan Blondell, Dina Merrill: Enjoyable romantic comedy about compatibility and advancement. Katherine Hepburn heads a research department that has become suspicious once Spencer Tracy periodically shows up. His task is a secret but he is to observe the work place in hopes that it will adapt to the future of computers. Problems arise when everyone believes that they are being replaced. Good idea with a surprising climax yet it is structured like a sitcom with stagy sets to match. Director Walter Lang keeps a comic tension as the office area becomes unnerving. Hepburn and Tracy have remarkable chemistry as they struggle to figure each other out. This is hardly the masterpiece that Adam's Rib is but it showcases the reality that both actors are well suited for each others style. Supporting roles are unfortunately cardboard. Gig Young as Hepburn's boyfriend in politics only appears within the convenience of the plot. Another problem is the secretaries also could have been driven further as oppose to being a total annoyance. They are suppose to further comic relief but all they seem to accomplish is corrupting any credibility that the film aims for. While it isn't great cinema, it does contain funny moments plus it gives comic insight into the introduction of the future of computers. Score: 6 / 10
jarrodmcdonald-1 Some very naturalistic acting by the leads enlivens this offering. Gig Young once again plays the romantic runner-up, this time to Spencer Tracy vying for Katharine Hepburn. The story seems to be ahead of its time, reminding the audience that machines are not supposed to be a substitute for the human touch. Instead, machines make it possible for the human being to be more efficient -- in business, if not always in love.This was the penultimate film pairing of Tracy and Hepburn. Their last film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, would not occur until a decade later.