Desk Set (1957)

What Genre Is It?

Romance/Comedy

Why Watch Desk Set?

The Reference Department is buzzing with excitement as Bunny (Katharine Hepburn), Sylvia (Dina Merrill), Peg (Joan Blondell), and Ruthie (Sue Randall) keep up with the holiday reference questions. However, a surprise visit from Methods Engineer, Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy), has the office suspicious. Richard has been hired to install a computer in the Reference Department, but he’s been ordered not to share the details with the librarians. Tape measure in hand, Richard Sumner takes inventory of the reference space utilized by the ladies, and he continues his research by observing how efficient the four fun-loving librarians are.

Meanwhile, Bunny, the manager of the Reference Department, has personal troubles. She’s been waiting for coworker Mike Cutler (Gig Young) to get serious about their relationship. Unfortunately, Mike always puts business first—which often leaves him standing Bunny up. When Richard Sumner starts spending more time with Bunny, will Bunny discover that Mike Cutler isn’t worth waiting for? Could there be someone else much better suited for her?

However, when the true reason for Richard Sumner’s business in the Reference Department comes to light, will things end happily for any of the four reference workers, or will they all receive pink slips for Christmas?

This film is full of comical moments that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Fun Clip

Memorable Quote

Note, for a little library humor, this is why reference questions should always be answered by a qualified reference worker!

[Telephone rings and none of the reference workers are around, so Richard Sumners decides to answer the call.]

“Hello? Uh…Santa Claus’ reindeer? Uh, uh… wait a second, I can; let me see now, there’s, Dopey… uh…Sneezy, Grouchy, Happy, Sleepy, …uh…Rudolph, and Blitzen. [Person on the other line says thank you.] You’re welcome!”

Richard Sumners