Stanleys' icy steps again and is carried back inside, much to Stanley's consternation. Cast Bette Davis as Maggie Cutler Ann Sheridan as Lorraine Sheldon Monty Woolley as Sheridan Whiteside Richard Travis as Bert Jefferson Jimmy Durante as Banjo Billie Burke as Mrs. Ernest Stanley (Daisy) Reginald Gardiner as Beverly Carlton Elisabeth Fraser as June Stanley Grant Mitchell as Ernest Stanley George Barbier as Dr. Bradley Mary Wickes as Miss Preen Russell Arms as Richard Stanley Ruth Vivian as Harriet Stanley Edwin Stanley as John Betty Roadman as Sarah Charles Drake as Sandy Nanette Vallon as Cosette John Ridgely as Radio man Uncredited (in order of appearance) Dudley DickersonPorter at train station Patrick McVeyHarry, the baggage clerk Roland DrewReporter Ernie AdamsMichaelson Leslie BrooksHollywood blonde Georgia CarrollHollywood blonde Bess FlowersFan at train station Florence WixFan at train station Leah BairdFan at train station Lottie WilliamsFan at train station Sol GorssChauffeur Beal WongChinese guest Kam TongChinese guest Creighton HaleRadio man Hank MannExpressman Eddy ChandlerGuard Fred KelseyDetective Frank MayoPlainclothesman Jack MowerPlainclothesman Alix TaltonChorus girl Frank MoranHaggerty Cast notes Monty Woolley, Ruth Vivian, and Mary Wickes reprised their roles from the original Broadway production. Russell Arms made his screen debut. Production Four of the leading characters are based on real-life personalities. Sheridan Whiteside was inspired by celebrated critic and Algonquin Round Table member Alexander Woollcott, who eventually played the role on stage; Lorraine Sheldon by musical stage actress Gertrude Lawrence; Beverly Carlton by playwright and renowned wit Noël Coward; and Banjo by Algonguin Round Table member Harpo Marx. When Bette Davis saw the Broadway production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, she decided the role of Maggie Cutler would be a refreshing change of pace following her heavily dramatic role in The Little Foxes. She urged Jack L. Warner to purchase the screen rights for her and John Barrymore. He tested for the role of Whiteside but was deemed unsuitable when, as a result of his heavy drinking (or perhaps encroaching Alzheimers), he supposedly had difficulty delivering the complicated, fast-paced dialogue, even with his lines posted on cue cards throughout the set. The screen test was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in the early 21st century prior to a screening of the film, making the reason for Davis' subsequent rage at the studio's decision not to cast the superb Barrymore quite apparent. Both Charles Laughton and Orson Welles, who wanted to direct