Bringing Up Baby Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A paleontologist just trying to get a bone gets bamboozled into babysitting a leopard and falling for a rich girl, because science and love are overrated anyway.

🍿 Bringing Up Baby: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Bone, a Bride, and a Befuddled Paleontologist

Dr. David Huxley (Cary Grant), a paleontologist, is on the cusp of completing his brontosaurus skeleton and securing a $1 million donation for his museum. He’s also about to marry his somewhat cold and calculating assistant, Alice Swallow. All seems set for a life of academic pursuits, until he meets the impulsive and chaotic Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn).

Susan’s Interference and the Missing Clavicle

Susan immediately throws David’s meticulously planned life into disarray. She mistakes him for someone else, steals his car, and generally creates havoc wherever she goes. More importantly, she becomes fixated on him, deciding that he’s the man for her, despite his impending marriage. The troubles are compounded when the intercostal clavicle, the final bone for David’s brontosaurus, goes missing, buried by Susan’s dog, George.

Baby and the Leopard Lunacy

The arrival of ‘Baby,’ a tame leopard sent by Susan’s brother, adds another layer of chaos. David is tasked with taking care of Baby, a situation he’s entirely unprepared for. A mix-up with a dangerous circus leopard further escalates the absurdity. The already tangled plot thickens as Aunt Elizabeth, Susan’s aunt and the potential donor, becomes involved, leading to a series of misunderstandings and mishaps.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn): A flighty and energetic heiress who falls for David and throws his life into comical chaos.
• David Huxley (Cary Grant): A mild-mannered paleontologist whose orderly life is upended by Susan and her pet leopard.
• Aunt Elizabeth (May Robson): Susan’s wealthy aunt, who is also the potential museum donor, adding to the comedic complications.
• Alice Swallow (Virginia Walker): David’s pragmatic fiancée who is more interested in his work than a romantic relationship.
• Major Applegate (Charles Ruggles): Aunt Elizabeth’s friend and big game hunter who gets involved in the leopard escapades.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Susan Vance: “I’ll get you another hat!” – Susan says this after accidentally ruining David’s hat early in their chaotic encounter, setting the tone for their relationship.
• David Huxley: “This is the intercostal clavicle. I found it!” – David excitedly declares this upon retrieving the missing dinosaur bone, momentarily forgetting the surrounding chaos.
• Susan Vance: “Have you ever had jungle fever?” – Susan asks this to David in jail, leading to humorous misunderstandings about the leopard.
• David Huxley: “Because I just went gay all of a sudden!” – David says this when explaining why he’s wearing a woman’s negligee.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.073M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $13.1K

💥 Bringing Up Baby Reviews

Personal Review

Oh my gosh, this movie is just pure joy! Katharine Hepburn is absolutely hilarious as Susan, and Cary Grant’s exasperation is priceless. I about died laughing when they both ripped their clothes at the restaurant. It’s so silly, but in the best way. I loved how they just kept getting into crazier and crazier situations. The scene in jail was the best, and just pure laughs! This is now one of my favorite classic comedies for sure!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic comedies”
  • “Those who enjoy Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn”
  • “Viewers who appreciate fast-paced, zany humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence”
  • “Brief scenes of characters in potentially dangerous situations with animals”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hawks directs with a masterful touch, keeping the pace lively and the humor broad but never losing sight of the underlying romantic core. Grant and Hepburn are a perfect comedic pairing, their contrasting styles blending seamlessly to create a truly memorable cinematic experience.
• The Wrap: “Despite Hepburn’s performance being described as ‘annoying’ by some critics, one cannot deny it’s charm. Grant is great, but the charm between them has never been better. This movie is a must watch for anyone who wants a goofy, romantic, and hilarious film.

Audience Reactions

Katharine Hepburn’s performance is unforgettable.: The fast-paced, witty dialogue and slapstick comedy keep viewers laughing throughout the entire movie.

Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn’s chemistry is palpable.: The film showcases the madcap antics of screwball comedy at its finest.

Overall Consensus: A screwball comedy classic celebrated for its witty dialogue, energetic performances, and madcap scenarios, though some find the humor too chaotic and the characters grating.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Katharine Hepburn struggled initially with screwball comedy, but director Howard Hawks helped her find the right approach, resulting in a career-defining performance.”
• “Cary Grant based his character’s mannerisms on Harold Lloyd, the silent film comedian, to portray the befuddled paleontologist.”
• “The film was a box office flop upon its initial release, but gained a cult following and critical acclaim in later years, becoming recognized as a classic screwball comedy.”
• “A real leopard named Nissa was used on set, requiring careful handling and safety precautions during filming.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bringing Up Baby?

Bringing Up Baby is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service or digital retailer for current pricing and availability. While it may not be available on subscription-based streaming services at all times, keep an eye out as availability can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bringing Up Baby, you might like these similar films:

• The Philadelphia Story (1940): Another classic screwball comedy starring Katharine Hepburn, featuring witty dialogue and a love triangle.
• His Girl Friday (1940): Also directed by Howard Hawks, it showcases rapid-fire dialogue and chaotic situations.
• What’s Up, Doc? (1972): A modern homage to Bringing Up Baby, with similar madcap energy and mistaken identity plotlines.
• My Man Godfrey (1936): Features a wealthy socialite who disrupts the life of a more grounded individual, with similar themes of class and romance.

🛒 Bringing Up Baby Related Products

• Bringing Up Baby (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored Blu-ray edition from The Criterion Collection, featuring bonus content like interviews, documentaries, and essays exploring the film’s impact and legacy. A must-have for cinephiles.
• Katharine Hepburn: A Life in Pictures: A beautiful photography book capturing Katharine Hepburn’s iconic presence and impact on cinema. Features rare behind-the-scenes shots, personal letters, and insights into her remarkable career, showcasing why she remains a legend.
• Cary Grant: A Brilliant Affair: The definitive documentary about one of Hollywood’s most private, yet celebrated stars. Interviews with contemporaries, family and film historians, and featuring clips from throughout his amazing film career.
• LEGO Jurassic Park: T. rex Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition: Pay homage to the prehistoric world with this impressive model kit, featuring the mighty T. rex. Assembling the skeleton offers a fun and educational experience for adults and kids alike.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bringing Up Baby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” – performed by Dorothy Fields & Jimmy McHugh

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bringing Up Baby (AT-AT)

Ever wondered what ‘Bringing Up Baby’ would look like with a Star Wars twist? This hilarious mashup with AT-AT walkers is pure genius – you won’t believe how well it works!

✨ Rate