The Philadelphia Story

This movie contains the funniest marital abuse scene ever (competition is low). The spectacle of a young Cary Grant punching a young Katharine Hepburn, which kicks off the film, is funnier than it should be by our modern sensibilities. Still, the film dates from a time when it was permissible to make jokes about wife beating, but not to show a neckline that was cut too low.
Most of the virtues of this film come from the fact that it was adapted from a very excellent and enjoyable stage play. The dialogue, because of this, is both hilarious and completely unrealistic. The movie functions like a play, moving smoothly and clearly from scene to scene, the story constructed perfectly. It doesn't hurt that it was directed by one of the great film directors, George Cukor, who was also responsible for the film version of "My Fair Lady." The film also boasts one of the greatest casts ever (in my opinion, at least)--Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart (who won an Oscar for his performance).
Cary Grant, as C.K. Dexter Haven, also has one of the best names ever, and is one extremely charming in his role as Katharine Hepburn's ex-husband, who drops in unexpectedly right before her re-wedding, if you will (awkward). He brings with him newspaper reporters Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Hussey (that is her real name). You can probably guess how it ends, but it's really delightful watching all the machinations and plot-twisting in between. Actually, this is one of, if not my favorite movie, If only because it easily and unassumingly turns sadness to happiness.