The Man Who Came to Dinner

The story begins with Sheridan Whiteside, a famous radio personality, suffering a mishap during his lecture tour. He tumbles down the icy steps of the Stanley family's home in Ohio, leading to a chaotic start to his stay.

Despite their better judgment, the Stanley family agrees to host Whiteside during the Christmas holidays. This decision comes amid their stress over a significant lawsuit, making it even more burdensome to accommodate their uninvited guest.

Upon arriving, Whiteside swiftly asserts his dominance over the household, claiming the best rooms and pushing his hosts to the upper floors. His commanding presence sets the tone for a tumultuous stay filled with his extravagant demands.

Whiteside manipulates Dr. Thompson into extending his recovery time by promising to read the doctor's unpublished work. However, he disregards the promise, showcasing his selfish and opportunistic nature during his stay.

Whiteside's extravagant lifestyle leads to unexpected chaos as he entertains notable figures. The Stanleys' home transforms into a circus, complete with surprising gifts like live penguins and an octopus delivered to their doorstep.

As chaos ensues, the young Stanley couple, Richard and June, find inspiration from Whiteside's antics. Their artistic ambitions begin to flourish, much to their father’s dismay as they embrace the creative chaos around them.

Maggie Cutler, Whiteside's assistant, starts developing feelings for local journalist Bert Jefferson. Their relationship deepens as they bond over Bert's play, which leads Maggie to make plans to further their romance.

Concerned about losing Maggie, Whiteside resorts to desperate measures to disrupt her budding romance. He exaggerates his injuries to prolong his stay, plotting against Bert and Maggie’s relationship.

Lorraine Sheldon enters the scene, enchanting Whiteside and complicating matters with her charm. He concocts a scheme to woo Bert away from Maggie by exploiting Lorraine's desire for fame in a proposed production.

In response to Lorraine’s interference, Maggie teams up with Beverly Carlton to impersonate a wealthy figure and lure Lorraine away. This clever ruse sets off a chain of dramatic events, showcasing Maggie's wit.

When Lorraine discovers the truth behind the impersonation, she is furious and vows revenge against Maggie. The tension escalates between the women, complicating Maggie’s relationship with Bert even further.

Maggie learns of Whiteside's involvement in the scheme against Lorraine and chooses to sever her ties with him. Whiteside experiences a moment of remorse, realizing the consequences of his manipulative actions.

To eliminate Lorraine as a competitor, Whiteside devises a plan with Banjo to trap her in an ancient sarcophagus. This ludicrous plot highlights his eagerness to maintain control over his chaotic environment.

Tensions reach a climax when Mr. Stanley issues a warrant for Whiteside to vacate the premises within 15 minutes. Whiteside resorts to blackmailing Mr. Stanley, threatening to expose a family secret to ensure his stay.

As Whiteside attempts to leave, he misses a critical phone call from Eleanor Roosevelt amidst the commotion. In a final twist, he trips on the icy steps again, symbolizing the chaotic end of his misadventures.