Dinner at Eight
Seen it?1933 | 111 min | Comedy, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Triangle of Sadness or Short Cuts, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1933: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
An ambitious New York socialite plans an extravagant dinner party as her businessman husband, Oliver, contends with financial woes, causing a lot of tension between the couple. Meanwhile, their high-society friends and associates, including the gruff Dan Packard and his sultry spouse, Kitty, contend with their own entanglements, leading to revelations at the much-anticipated dinner.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $435K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 36K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by George Cukor
- Marie DresslerCarlotta Vance
- John BarrymoreLarry Renault
- Wallace BeeryDan Packard
- Jean HarlowKitty Packard
- Lionel BarrymoreOliver Jordan
- Lee TracyMax Kane
- Edmund LoweDr. Wayne Talbot
- Billie BurkeMillicent Jordan
- Madge EvansPaula Jordan
- Jean HersholtJo Stengel