History Theatre / TheManWhoCameToDinner

** Whiteside himself is based on Alexander Woollcott, a famously [[CausticCritic caustic]] drama critic for ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'' and a friend of Kaufman and Hart. One day, Woollcott showed up at Hart's house unannounced and took over, sleeping in the master bedroom, terrorizing the staff and writing in the guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent."

** Whiteside himself is based on Alexander Woollcott, a famously [[CausticCritic acidic]] drama critic for ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'' and a friend of Kaufman and Hart. One day, Woollcott showed up at Hart's house unannounced and took over, sleeping in the master bedroom, terrorizing the staff and writing in the guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent."

** Whiteside himself is based on ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'' drama critic Alexander Woollcott, a friend of Kaufman and Hart. One day, Woollcott showed up at Hart's house unannounced and took over, sleeping in the master bedroom, terrorizing the staff and writing in the guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent."

** Whiteside himself is based on ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'' writer and critic Alexander Woollcott, a friend of Kaufman and Hart. One day, Woollcott showed up at Hart's house unannounced and took over, sleeping in the master bedroom, terrorizing the staff and writing in the guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent."

* {{Expy}}: Where do we start?
** Whiteside himself is an expy of Alexander Woollcott, a friend of Kaufman and Hart. One day, Woollcott showed up at Hart's house unannounced and took over, sleeping in the master bedroom, terrorizing the staff and writing in the guest book, "This is to certify that I had one of the most unpleasant times I ever spent."
** Beverly Carlton is NoelCoward.
** Banjo is [[MarxBrothers Harpo Marx]]. Reference is made to "Wackko and Sloppo".
*** Harpo himself played Banjo (yes, a speaking part) in one 1941 summer theater production.
** Harriet Stanley is revealed to be an expy of Lizzie Borden.

TheMovie was released in 1942, starring Monty Woolley as Whiteside, Creator/BetteDavis as Maggie, and Ann Sheridan as Lorraine. Woolley had originated the role on Broadway but was not the studio's first choice, being unknown to film audiences. John Barrymore read for the part, but his severe alcoholism kept him from getting the role (he died not long after). Creator/OrsonWelles wanted the part, and Creator/CharlesLaughton was suggested, but Woolley wound up reprising his role after all.

TheMovie was released in 1942, starring Monty Woolley as Whiteside, Creator/BetteDavis as Maggie, and Ann Sheridan as Lorraine. Woolley had originated the role on Broadway but he was unknown to film audiences. John Barrymore read for the part, but his severe alcoholism kept him from getting the role (he died not long after). Creator/OrsonWelles wanted the part, and Creator/CharlesLaughton was suggested, but Woolley wound up reprising his role.

TheMovie was released in 1942, starring Monty Woolley as Whiteside, Creator/BetteDavis as Maggie, and Ann Sheridan as Lorraine. Woolley had originated the role on Broadway but he was unknown to film audiences. John Barrymore read for the part, but his severe alcoholism kept him from getting the role (he died not long after). Creator/OrsonWelles wanted the part, and Charles Laughton was suggested, but Woolley wound up reprising his role.

A 1967 {{musical}} adaptation called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 1972 ''Series/HallmarkHallOfFame'' version with Welles (which updates the story for the television age) and 2000 stage revival starring Nathan Lane.

-->I may vomit.

** Banjo is [[MarxBrothers Harpo Marx]]. Reference is made to "Wackko and Sloppo."

*** Harpo did play Banjo in the stage version; his film contract prevented him from taking a speaking part, and it was therefore given to Jimmy Durante.

A 1967 {{musical}} adaptation called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 1972 ''HallmarkHallOfFame'' version with Welles (which updates the story for the television age) and 2000 stage revival starring Nathan Lane.

A 1967 {{musical}} adaptation called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 1972 ''HallmarkHallOfFame'' version starring Orson Welles (which updates the story for the television age) and 2000 stage revival starring Nathan Lane.

A 1967 {{musical}} adaptation called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 1972 ''[[Hallmark Hall of Fame]]'' version starring Creator/OrsonWelles (which updates the story for the television age) and 2000 stage revival starring Nathan Lane.

A 1967 {{musical}} adaptation called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 2000 revival starring Nathan Lane.

* ActorAllusion: Whiteside's friend Banjo refers to Lorraine as "the oomph girl". In RealLife, the curvaceous Ann Sheridan was in fact called "the oomph girl", a nickname she hated.

** Creator/NathanLane, who played the part of Whiteside in a Broadway revival, [[http://observer.com/2000/07/the-man-who-came-to-bubbys-nathan-lane-takes-on-critics/ expressed concern]] that in the movie, Wooley as Whiteside comes off as mean for the sake of being mean.

A 1967 musical called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame. The original play has been revived several times, including a 2000 revival starring Nathan Lane.

Sheridan Whiteside, a cranky, irascible New York author and critic, is making a nationwide tour. Two weeks before Christmas, he has a publicity stunt dinner at the Stanley household in Mesalia, Ohio. As he's leaving the house, he slips and breaks his hip. Now he must stay in the house while he heals, taking it over in the process, to the extreme annoyance of Mr. Stanley. His Hollywood friends send their most "heartfelt condolences." Meanwhile, his assistant, the eternally patient Maggie Cutler, falls in love with the editor of the local Mesalia newspaper. Whiteside, horrified at the prospect of losing his assistant, decides he must put a stop to the romance.

TheMovie was released in 1942, starring Monty Wooley as Whiteside and Creator/BetteDavis as Maggie. A 1967 musical called ''Sherry!'' was written by James Lipton--yes, the creepy guy from ''Inside the Actors' Studio'' fame.

Sheridan Whiteside, a radio star of TheThirties, is making a nationwide tour. Two weeks before Christmas, he has a publicity stunt dinner at the Stanley household in Mesalia, Ohio. As he's leaving the house, he slips and breaks his hip. Now he must stay in the house while he heals, taking it over in the process. His Hollywood friends send their most "heartfelt condolences."

* BreakTheCutie: Maggie and Nurse Preen.
* CloudCuckooLander: Harriet Stanley
* DeadpanSnarker: Whiteside is wheeled out of his room to see everyone's smiling faces. He takes one look and delivers his first line:

* EvilCripple: Whiteside

* HereWeGoAgain: Right at the end, as he's finally leaving the Stanley home, Whiteside slips on the ice again and hurts his hip for real.

* ItsAllAboutMe: Whiteside again.
* JerkAss: Whiteside again

* LargeHam: Much of the cast, but special mention should be give to--of course--Whiteside, played in the 2000 Broadway revival by NathanLane.
-->'''Whiteside''': I LOST MY WATCH!
** Nurse Preen shouldn't be a Large Ham for most of the play, but if she doesn't ham up her parting speech, she's doing it wrong.
* TheMovie: made in 1942 with Monty Woolley as Whiteside, BetteDavis as Maggie and Jimmy Durante as Banjo.
* TheMusical: The short-lived ''Sherry!'' from 1967. Written by James Lipton. Yes, ''that'' James Lipton.

* TheThingThatWouldNotLeave

* HereWeGoAgain

** Harriet Stanley is revealed to be an expy of [[spoiler:Lizzie Borden]].