Desk Set Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two incredibly smart librarians fight for their jobs against a giant, all-knowing computer, only to discover that the human brain (and a little romance) can outwit any machine, even one that smokes.

🍿 Desk Set: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Efficient Research Department

Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) leads a highly skilled, all-female research department at the Federal Broadcasting System. Renowned for their encyclopedic knowledge and ability to rapidly retrieve information without modern technology, Bunny and her team, including her trusted colleague Peg Costello (Joan Blondell), are the network’s human search engines, handling myriad queries with impressive accuracy.

The Arrival of Automation

A mysterious engineer, Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy), begins frequenting the department, taking precise measurements and observing their unique work methods. Bunny, with her keen intellect, quickly deduces his secret mission: to introduce automation and install a colossal ‘electronic brain’ computer named EMERAC. This development sparks understandable anxiety among the staff, who fear their jobs are on the line, believing the new machine is intended to make their human expertise obsolete.

A Battle of Wits and Hearts

What begins as a professional clash between Bunny’s human ingenuity and Richard’s technological vision soon evolves into a delightful battle of wits and intellectual sparring. Richard is genuinely impressed by Bunny’s vast and instantaneous recall of facts, challenging her with complex trivia questions that she effortlessly answers. Their interactions, filled with witty dialogue and playful competition, highlight a burgeoning mutual respect and an unexpected dawning attraction, complicated by Bunny’s long-standing, albeit uncommitted, engagement to network executive Mike Cutler (Gig Young).

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn): The brilliant and quick-witted head of the research department whose job, and her staff’s, are threatened by a new computer system.
• Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy): The efficiency expert and engineer sent to automate the research department, who finds himself drawn to Bunny’s intelligence and charm.
• Mike Cutler (Gig Young): Bunny’s self-centered and noncommittal long-term boyfriend, who takes her for granted until Richard enters her life.
• Peg Costello (Joan Blondell): Bunny’s loyal, down-to-earth, and perceptive colleague and best friend within the research department.
• Miss Warriner (Neva Patterson): The rigid and protective technician in charge of the new EMERAC computer, treating the machine with maternal devotion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Richard Sumner: “Hello? Santa Claus’s reindeer? Uh, why yes I can… let’s see, there’s Dopey, Sneezy, Grouchy, Happy, Sleepy, uh Rudolph, and Blitzen! You’re welcome!” – Richard comically answers the phone at the Christmas party, listing incorrect names for Santa’s reindeer, showcasing his playful side.
• Bunny Watson: “I’d match my memory against any machine’s any day.” – Bunny confidently asserts her intellectual prowess, directly challenging the perceived superiority of the new computer and highlighting the film’s central conflict.
• Mike Cutler: “Seven years I’ve waited!” – Mike exclaims this in frustration as he storms out of the office, highlighting his long-standing, yet unfulfilled, engagement to Bunny.
• Miss Warriner: “Don’t you TOUCH her!” – Miss Warriner shouts this hysterically when the EMERAC computer malfunctions, revealing her overprotective and almost maternal attachment to the machine.
• Bunny Watson: “Does the King of the Watusis drive an automobile?” – Bunny poses this as a rhetorical example of the many bizarre and obscure questions her research department is constantly tasked with answering.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.425 million
• Domestic Gross: $7 million
• Worldwide Gross: $7 million

💥 Desk Set Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘Desk Set’! Every time I watch it, I’m just captivated by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn’s dynamic. Their on-screen chemistry is legendary, and here, it’s just pure magic – that quick, intelligent banter between Bunny and Richard is what makes the movie sing. The scene where Richard tests Bunny’s knowledge on the rooftop, or their hilarious encounter in her apartment when Gig Young shows up, are absolute comedic gold. Despite being from the ’50s with its giant computers, the movie feels surprisingly fresh, touching on themes of job security and adapting to new technology that are still so relevant today. It’s a charming, witty, and heartwarming film that always leaves me with a smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood romantic comedies”
  • “Admirers of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn’s on-screen chemistry”
  • “Viewers interested in early cinematic portrayals of technology and automation”
  • “Anyone who enjoys witty dialogue and intelligent humor”
  • “Those who appreciate films about workplace dynamics and office politics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild mature themes typical of 1950s romantic comedies”
  • “Discussions about job security due to automation”
  • “Brief scenes of characters appearing intoxicated at a party”

Professional Reviews

• Classic Film Journal: “Desk Set is a delightful romp showcasing the unparalleled chemistry of Tracy and Hepburn. Their battle of wits against the looming specter of automation is surprisingly relevant, framed by sparkling dialogue and an undeniable charm. It’s a testament to the film’s enduring appeal that its themes of human ingenuity versus technological advancement still resonate, all wrapped up in a beautifully shot, witty package.
• The Silver Screen Critic: “Walter Lang’s ‘Desk Set’ delivers a masterclass in romantic comedy, elevated by the iconic pairing of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The seemingly dated premise of a calculating machine threatening human jobs transforms into a timeless commentary on change and adaptation. Joan Blondell shines in a stellar supporting role, adding layers of humor and warmth. A smart, engaging film that proves intelligence can be utterly charming.

Audience Reactions

Viewers love the timeless charm and quick-witted banter between Tracy and Hepburn.: Most agree that the film, despite its dated technology, captures universal anxieties about job displacement and the enduring value of human intellect and connection, all delivered with delightful humor and chemistry.

Overall Consensus: Desk Set is widely praised as a witty, charming romantic comedy, celebrating human intellect and adaptability against technological change, primarily carried by the exceptional chemistry of its lead stars, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The hilarious scene where Richard Sumner leaves Bunny’s apartment, staggering as though drunk with his hat pulled down and shirt disheveled, was completely unscripted. Katharine Hepburn’s uncontrollable laughter and near-fall from her chair were genuine reactions to Spencer Tracy’s improvisation.”
• “The filmmakers publicly acknowledged the cooperation of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in the opening credits, reflecting the film’s timely theme of office computerization.”
• “The fictional EMERAC computer featured in the film was designed to resemble the massive, room-sized electronic computers that were just beginning to be introduced in offices during the mid-1950s, such as the real ENIAC and UNIVAC machines.”

🖥️ How to Watch Desk Set?

Desk Set (1957) is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play, where it can be rented or purchased digitally. You can also search Amazon for DVD or Blu-ray options. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Desk Set, you might like these similar films:

• Adam’s Rib (1949): Another classic Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn ‘battle of the sexes’ comedy, it features their unparalleled chemistry and witty verbal sparring within a professional setting.
• The Apartment (1960): While a dramedy, it offers a sharp and often cynical portrayal of corporate office life, power dynamics, and personal relationships within a large company, with a similar mid-century aesthetic.
• Pillow Talk (1959): A quintessential romantic comedy from the same era, known for its clever dialogue, mistaken identities, and the charming interplay between Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
• You’ve Got Mail (1998): This modern romantic comedy features two business rivals who fall in love, contrasting traditional business with new technology (a small bookstore vs. a chain store), echoing ‘Desk Set’s’ themes of old versus new ways of working.
• His Girl Friday (1940): A seminal screwball comedy celebrated for its rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue and intense professional rivalry between its male and female leads, appealing to fans of sharp, witty banter.

🛒 Desk Set Related Products

• Desk Set (Collector’s Edition Blu-ray): Experience this classic romantic comedy in stunning high-definition, featuring restored picture and sound. Includes exclusive bonus features like behind-the-scenes documentaries on the Tracy-Hepburn partnership and the film’s impact.
• Katharine Hepburn: The Definitive Biography: A comprehensive biography offering deep insights into Katharine Hepburn’s life, career, and her legendary relationship with Spencer Tracy, providing context for her roles and performances in films like ‘Desk Set’.
• Vintage 1950s Office Decor: Mid-Century Modern Desk Lamp: A stylish reproduction of a mid-century modern desk lamp, reminiscent of the sophisticated office aesthetics seen in ‘Desk Set,’ perfect for adding a touch of classic Hollywood to your workspace.
• Human vs. Machine: The Evolution of AI (Documentary Series – Digital Download): An engaging documentary series exploring the historical progression of artificial intelligence, from early computing concepts (like those in ‘Desk Set’) to modern AI, discussing societal impacts and ethical dilemmas.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – performed by Traditional
• “Night and Day” – performed by Cole Porter

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

🤨 FAQ

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