I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Don't Believe the Hype

Best movie of this year hands down!

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

I bought the Turner-Classic 4-movie set of Harlow, and she is excellent in all 4. 'Dinner at 8' I had not seen in a long time, but I did recall some juicy conflict between Beery and Harlow. The camera loved Harlow (as it did Monroe, 20 years later). The sets, lighting and her ensemble truly highlighted her beauty and sensuality. Her ability to feign 'culture' - and then talk like a carnaval barker the next minute is delightful to regard.Being a 'pre-code' film, we also get some frankness that would have been excised only a few years later: Harlow is having an affair with a handsome family doctor, who, according to his faithful wife, is a frequent philanderer; Marie Dressler confesses that she has acquired expensive jewelry from men in her previous relationships that were not matrimonial; pretty Madge Evans--engaged to a very suitable partner--falls in love with a charming, but over-the-hill, alcoholic actor (John Barrymore). These indiscretions are presented openly (without skin), in the spirit of pre-code films, which presented imperfect characters who seemed lifelike, and sometimes suffered for their sins - but sometimes didn't.Contrast this to 'China Seas' made only a few years later with Harlow and Clark Gable: Gable says he will stick with his pretty former-consort Harlow--even marry her--but first she must face the justice system for her role in an attempted theft. I doubt the original story ended that way, but the Code demanded that villains NOT prosper from their nefarious deeds - so, Harlow will face prison for 3 to 5, I guess. If made in 1932, that film would have ended with Gable suppressing the role Harlow played, and marrying her the same day, in a local church! In Dinner at 8, at least 2 leading female characters are guilty of unfaithfulness, but neither really 'face the music'. My point is: at least in pre-code films, the guilty didn't have to suffer harsh consequences -- hence, the writers had more freedom to wrap up the story as they saw fit.This is a fine ensemble cast, featuring Harlow at her prettiest and maybe most feisty (she & Beery disliked one another - so, maybe art was imitating life!?). Recommended.

One has to wonder if an actress like Marie Dressler would have made it in today's Hollywood. She was great during her era, but boy, what she offers up in the acting department is totally offset by her looks. Actually, I'll correct myself for the moment by pointing to Anne Ramsey, that infamous 'Momma' that was thrown from the train in the 1987 Danny DeVito flick. But Ramsey's heyday was in the Eighties, and I can't think of anyone who might fill the current bill as a similar type actress.This film had a glittering cast, what with the likes of the Barrymores, Dressler, Beery and Harlow leading the charge. I can't necessarily say that Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow were inappropriately cast here as husband and wife because it worked for the story, but I had to suspend disbelief the whole time watching them. Knowing that they hated each other in real life was something that worked for their characters in the picture, though Harlow's Kitty Packard turned me off early on when she displayed such boorish behavior toward her maid Tina (Hilda Vaughn). I had to question why Tina would have stuck around with all the times she was called nitwit, dummy and stupid by her employer. And not just Kitty, but the lout Dan Packard (Beery) as well.Set during the Depression, the story focuses on what once wealthy, upscale glitterati find they have to deal with as their fortunes run dry. Preparing for her well heeled 'Dinner at Eight' party, Millicent Jordan (Billie Burke) is totally over the top in her remonstrations over late cancellations and assorted menu options. The story offers up classic maguffins in the characters of Lord and Lady Ferncliffe who are mentioned repeatedly but wind up as no-shows for the big party.Though nominally billed as a comedy, the humor is mostly understated and primarily dialog driven; it helps if one has a droll sense of humor. I didn't consider any of the characters to be particularly likable, I guess because each one was looking out for Number #1, which in each case was themselves. But it's not a bad little film over all, one of the better ones actually when you go all the way back to the early Thirties.

At the very opening I was a little put off by Billie Burke and her scatty society party - then enter the marvelous Lionel Barrymore as her shipping magnate husband who, unbeknown to her, is embroiled in serious financial problems, he gives her character much needed balance. Next I had to get over Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow. I actually thought I was going to have difficulty getting through the entrée let alone reaching dessert!, very pleased I persevered, for as soon as this picture finished I was planning my second sitting...Don't give up!. If you are new to looking at vintage sound films and you fail to enjoy this classic, then rest assured the fault could be all yours. Here is virtual perfection in every facet of motion picture artistry... Start with a good story, follow through with a good screenplay adaptation and you end up with excellence. Add to this a peerless cast of hand picked professionals, guided by the watchful eye of a solid director and you have an unforgettable soufflé....What an additional treat to see the two Barrymore Bros in the same film. While they never share a scene together the impact is potent. You'll get little more from me here, so treat yourself to a large helping of... Great perceptive writing by prolific novelist: Edna Ferber and acclaimed veteran Herman J.Mankiewicz (Citizen Kane '41 ~ It's A Wonderful World '39) ~ Screenplay: another respected veteran, Francis Marion ~ Director: George Cukor (too many other works to name) ~ Acting: (everyone who was anyone at the time) ~ Cinematography: William Daniels (The Naked City '48) ~ Producer: David O. Selznick ~ Music: Dr William Axt. The experienced viewer of classics will delight in it all, others may have to persevere just a 'tinsy' bit to gain a more than generous serving by the close of the evening. Should not be missed!.KenR...............

I think it would be a mistake to reveal much about the story of this film, so I will deal only with it merits.David O. Selznick set out to create another of his quality productions with "Dinner at Eight", starring an all-star cast.Billie Burke, with her lilting voice, plays Millicent, the wife of a shipping business owner. She is self-consumed and intent on creating a perfect dinner party.Lionel Barrymore plays Oliver Jordan, her husband and a man with several problems on his hands. Madge Evans plays Paula, their daughter who is engaged to a young, attractive man who is cut from very regular cloth. She is involved with another man--one who offers a more exotic and challenging relationship.Wallace Beery plays Dan Packard, a coarse and aggressive businessman who is invited to the dinner at Oliver's request. His wife Kitty is played by Jean Harlow. She's a platinum-plated gold digger whose relationship with Dan is similar to that between Billie and Harry in "Born Yesterday".Edmund Lowe plays Dr. Talbot, a "masher" who treats several characters.Marie Dressler plays Carlotta Vance, a retired actress who flaunts a lifestyle she cannot sustain. Ms. Dressler often plays the matronly socialite for laughs; here she is a fully-developed character who is allowed to show her real acting talent.John Barrymore plays Larry Renault, an actor who is on the down-side of a career onstage and in film. His is one of the bravest portrayals I have ever seen, as his character's personality and situation are written so close to his own.The main strength of this film is the story, which allows each character to be developed, giving emotional depth to the story. It is well worth seeing.