Christmas Movies Everyday Through December
Sheridan Whiteside's character is modeled after Alexander Woollcott (was he the one who the term "Smart Aleck" was meant?) Sheridan is at turns, a tyrant, a raconteur, a manipulator, a champion for the downtrodden, the theater's harshest critic, a bosom friend, and the penultimate entitled east coast snob. He's been taking over the Stanley house and all who cross his wide path as he holds court in their parlor, library, entrance and front door. Now it is coming near Christmas and the local doctor thinks Sherry is well enough to leave his wheelchair, which would be a relief to the Stanleys--if they knew about it. But Sherry has no intention of leaving the wheelchair or the Stanley house. He isn't done railroading his way into everybody's lives, including his secretary, Maggie (Bette Davis) who falls for the local small-town newspaperman, Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis).
Beverly Carlton (Reginald Denny) doing a great Noel Coward impersonation.
Lorraine Sheldon (Ann Sheridan) portraying her version of the great Broadway actress, Katherine Cornell.
Banjo's (Jimmy Durante) character is based, of all things, Harpo Marx. Apparently Harpo and Woollcott were close friends in real life.
An early role for Mary Wickes, who had just donned the nurse's white for another movie with Bette Davis -- Now, Voyager.
The movie culminates on Christmas Day, with gift offerings from famous people all over the world to Mr. Sherry Whiteside, including penguins, a crated octopus, an uncrated Egyptian sarcophegus, -- and Banjo stopping by on his way to Nova Scotia. Throw in the Boy's Choir for the special nationwide radio hookup from the Stanley's parlor to hear Sheridan Whiteside special Christmas greeting.