 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bringing Up Baby
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- NR
- Genre: Comedy
- 1938
Common Sense Media says
Classic screwball comedy with loads of tame laughs.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while there are a lot of physical misadventures in this madcap comedy there no injuries; and except for a few shots of a roaring, teeth-baring leopard nothing is frightening or threatening in a real way. Characters are clumsy -- fall, bump into walls, drive incompetently, and more. “Baby,” a tame leopard, is confused with a wild leopard which results in some chasing, erratic gun play, and more pratfalls. A character drinks to excess, also as a source of humor. There’s one throwaway reference to going "gay.”
What's the story?
Shy paleontologist David Huxley (Cary Grant) is hoping for three things: a rare dinosaur bone fossil, a million dollar research grant, and his marriage to colleague Miss Swallow. Madcap heiress Susan Vance (Katharine Hepburn), instantly smitten with David when he objects to her playing his golf ball and driving off in his car, manages to disrupt his life completely when she asks him to help her transport a leopard named "Baby" to her aunt's estate in Connecticut. Complications include Susan's dog George taking the irreplaceable bone fossil to bury somewhere, serenading the leopard to get him down from a neighbor's roof, being thrown in jail, confusing Baby with a vicious circus leopard, and the destruction of an entire dinosaur skeleton. David does not ultimately get the million dollars (it turns out that Susan's aunt was the prospective donor), but Susan does, so everyone lives happily ever after, including Baby.
Is it any good?
BRINGING UP BABY is generally considered to be the ultimate example of the screwball comedy, which reached its apex in the 1930s. Director Howard Hawks proves his mastery of the genre, pulling off an outlandish plot at breakneck speed with fabulous witty repartee and romantic tension between the perfectly cast leads, Grant and Hepburn (who are divine here). This movie may inspire them to take a look at dinosaur skeletons in a museum, though there is no such thing as an "intercostal clavicle."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about comedies. What are the elements of a "screwball comedy"? What are other comedic styles? Which do you prefer?
How have movies changed over time? What sticks out in this movie as from another era? What elements of old-fashioned movies are missing from contemporary film? Have movies improved?
Alcohol drinking is played for laughs in this movie. What role do movies and other media have in our attitudes toward drinking?
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AGE
Who knew old movies were this fun?
We love watching the misunderstandings build, and the fun snowball!
One mild caution - a handyman who drinks thinks he's seeing things.
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AGE
A Classic Comedy for the whole family.
Our kids love this movie, and it’s difficult to find anything objectionable for any child aged 6+. This is a classic Cary Grant screwball comedy. Hepburn and Grant have electric chemistry.
(Disclaimer: We like classic movies because the material is generally suitable for the kids and it’s not dumbed down for them or us. Because much of the content is from a past era, some things need explanation. We prefer to use questionable content as teachable moments with which to reinforce our values.)
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AGE
The funniest movie ever made
I'll have to disagree with the website for once and say 8 is extreme.
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AGE
One Of The Funniest Comedies Ever.......
This is so funny, and has strong likable characters. Kate and Cary shines in this, and it just shows you how old movies can still make people laugh years after it was made. Plus, it's got a tamed leopard and a cool dog that everyone will want one for a pet. Did I also mention that it was funny. ( One mild caution: a drunk gardener.)
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| Studio: | RKO |
| Director: | Howard Hawks |
| Cast: | Cary Grant, Charles Ruggles, Katharine Hepburn |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 102 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 18, 1938 |
| DVD release date: | October 14, 1997 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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