Desk Set is a comedy from 1957, starring legendary screen (and off-screen) couple, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Despite looking somewhat dated, it still has plenty of crisp humour, great acting by the major and minor characters, and a storyline that has relevance today.
Hepburn is Bunny(!) Watson, who runs the research department of a television company, aided by her friends and colleagues Peg (Joan Blondell, who gives an excellent performance), Sylvia (Dina Merrill) and Ruthie (Sue Randall). Spencer Tracy is Richard Sumner, a computer expert called in to modernise the department. Despite their professional conflicts – and Bunny’s relationship with smarmy Mike Cutler (Gig Young) Bunny and Richard are drawn to each other.
I really liked this film – far more than I expected to, in fact. There were lots of genuinely funny moments, but the theme of the film – people scared of losing their job to time and money saving technology – was ahead of its time.
Hepburn and Tracy have terrific chemistry together – no doubt probably because of their real life relationship – and both are at the top of their game here. Desk Set is not one of the more popular comedies featuring these two fine actors, and is not as well known as say, Adam’s Rib, but it is definitely worth checking out. There are some real zingy one-liners, and it’s also nice to see Katharine Hepburn – who can sometimes seem a little hard – play a more relaxed, fun-loving character. Spencer Tracy meanwhile, shows all the talent that made him a respected and esteemed actor.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting a feel-good movie that provides plenty of laughs!
Year of release: 1957
Director: Walter Lang
Producer: Henry Ephron
Writers: William Marchant (play), Phoebe Ephron, Henry Ephron
Main cast: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Gig Young, Joan Blondell, Sue Randall, Dina Merrill
Between the Pages 
As a word nerd, I am at a loss as to why you would call Desk Set “dated.” It is a 1957 film, after all, and a fine example of that era. Is it “dated” because people in the offices speak directly to each other? Save for the white carnations turning pink, there isn’t a misstep, and the humor, and tragedy, of the effect of computerization on society is powerful.
I am surprised that despite the many positive things I said about the film, the word ‘dated’ is the one thing that you picked up on. Incidentally, when I wrote that, it was not intended as criticism of the film – I agree, it was a wonderful picture, and I thought my review showed my feelings in that regard. It is however dated by today’s standards – which is pretty much unavoidable considering that it is nearly 60 years old – and that was what I meant. I certainly do not think it was dated just because the people in the offices spoke directly to each other. I welcome your opinion, and appreciate your comments, but if you read my review again, I am sure that you will see just how much I liked this film, and realise that me saying it was dated was a tiny part of the review, and certainly was not meant to be derogatory.