Set in 1957, "Desk Set" is a romantic comedy starring Katharine Hepburn as head of the research team in one television network. In a very traditional way, Bunny Watson and her very encyclopedic colleagues answer questions either from their memories or reference books or call someone who will tell them who the real expert is. Great peril lies just within the doorway of their office in the form of a large room-sized IBM computer, brought in by Spencer Tracy as Richard Sumner, a methods engineer and outside consultant, who wants to improve the "work/man-hour relationship" by increasing automation of tasks now being performed by humans.
The premise has been set up well by screenwriters Phoebe and Henry Ephron (who happen to be Nora Ephron's parents) and gives a background that allows Hepburn and Tracy to flirt, banter with each other, and eventually fall in love on screen. But it's pretty amazing how the movie foreshadows the arrival of web search engines and artificial intelligence.
Research used to be a staple in newspapers, and many staffed morgues kept stores of printed material and photographs. It was also simultaneously a repo source; reporters could ask, "What year did XYZ happen?" or "What was the average CEO salary in 1973?" and get an answer from staff who would check earlier editions of the newspaper and other available sources to find the information. By the dawn of the 21st century, however, the morgue at Tribune began to wane because much of that research could be done by editors and reporters faster on the internet.
These tools are, however, suffering from the hang-back brought about by AI. Recently, I searched for "1980s TV dramas" on Google and the results included "dorama show picks”— and no, that is not my doing; that is how Google presented it. Among the results was "Growing Pains," an '80s sitcom. The word "dorama" Japanese television shows of different genres— can perhaps explain the mix-up but does it? I was entering my query in English, plus there was a U.S. internet service provider involved in the process of retrieving the results, yet somehow American programs showed up.
In "Desk Set," the women working in the research department justifiably doubt the computer that is going to take over their jobs. Richard, blind to their apprehensions, says, "People seem to go into a panic every time I mention what I do." To which Bunny replies deadpan, "Hm. Interesting."
From the outset, the research department appears to be efficient. The phone rings, and one of the ladies picks it up: "Oh yes, we found that information for you; there are certain poisons that do not leave any trace. But network policy does not allow us to mention them in our programs." Another call comes in, and she answers: "Yes, hold on a second; I will transfer you to our baseball expert." Someone else in the department picks up the line, listens attentively, and then repeats the question: "What is the highest lifetime batting average?" Bunny suggests that one of her team members check the Old Farmer's Almanac for a different inquiry. "If that doesn't work, try the U.S. Weather Information Service. But check the Farmer's Almanac first to save time."
There is not a question they cannot answer. Their minds, full of brilliance and wonder, make it quite extraordinary to see them in action.
"Desk Set" is the eighth collaboration between Hepburn and Tracy, and for me, Hepburn is always the main attraction. "See you later," Richard says. "Fine," Bunny says, bluntly, which somehow gets a laugh. She isn’t worried about making an impression on him or softening her words; she has a comeback ready. "Is this an interview? I mean, I would have gotten my hair done or something." They start off on the wrong foot, at least in a professional sense. But by the end of the story, they develop feelings for each other while the workplace tension remains.
One of the researchers exclaims, He's trying to replace all of us with a machine mind! Take it easy, Bunny reassures her, no machine can do what we do. I know that many people are being replaced by these machines, worries another worker.
Their concerns are valid. According to CNN, "corporate America is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence to automate work previously done by people to cut costs, increase profits, and boost worker productivity." This seems to reflect the notion of the 'work/man/hour relationship,' as a term used by Tracy's character in the movie.
This should not be taken as an assurance. AI faces many challenges, including ethical and environmental issues. In a research tool, it will generate wrong answers often, just like the computer in 'Desk Set.
' According to a recent report, "Artificial intelligence systems require persistent oversight and staff to set up and sustain their effective operations. Essentially, you need human beings as well as more machines to make sure that the new tools work properly.
The last line is significant, as "Desk Set" too, foreshadows this.
The research department gets its paychecks along with termination notices, making them watch as a new girl comes in to handle the computer. She gets startled and stressed out by wrong outputs very soon and then simply walks away.
Richard looks at the team, and he feels confused. “Why is everyone standing here?” he asks. “We just got fired,” Bunny says. “That’s not how it was supposed to happen,” he says back, arguing that the computer was meant to help them, not take their jobs. (Looks like it wrongly fired all staff because of the computer.) The company is merging with another media company and, funny (not funny), that’s exactly how it feels too.
The rise of computers brought a cocktail of thrills and chills, given all the upheaval it was set to bring about. The Ephrons had a way of nailing that, even in a funny movie. We often saw our anxieties reflected back at us in film, even in breezy genres like romantic comedies.
Not that Hollywood does much of that these days, and because of that, movies suffer.
