Whether it’s Grace Kelly’s 1955 Best Actress win for ‘The Country Girl’, Sylvester Stallone’s nominations for ‘Rocky’ in 1977, Tom Hanks for ‘Philadelphia’ in 1994, or that slap that has Philadelphia native Will Smith
In 1940 — a movie about a reporter who worked for Spy Magazine was an incredible success. ‘The Philadelphia Story’ starring Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, and Katherine Hepburn would receive five Academy Award nominations including Stewart’s win for Best Actor and Donald Ogden Stewart for Best Writing and Screenplay. The Film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Director.
Now the Main Line mansion near Villanova that helped to inspire the film is up for sale. Sitting on the Main Line is Hopelands — part of the historic Ardrossan Estate. Currently for sale in Radnor for $5.5 million — the purchase price also includes a nearly 2,000 square foot carriage house — which is also on the grounds.
Not far from Villanova University — it’s long been rumored that the original part of the house dates from the 1720s — although the mansion was finished in 1840. In the 1870s — Col. Robert L. Montgomery acquired the house and over 750 acres of adjacent farmland. Montgomery would go to be a co-founder of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. — whose original offices were at 1717 Arch Street in Philadelphia.
In 1911 — Montgomery contracted Horace Trumbauer for an overhaul of the estate. In 1929 — Montgomery would name the house as Hopelands. It was both the Estate as well as Montgomery’s sister (Helen Hope Montgomery Scott) who were part of the inspiration for the 1940 film.
Just another connection to Philadelphia’s Oscar history.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
