The 1957 romantic comedy “Desk Set” stars Katharine Hepburn as the head of research at a TV network. Bunny Watson and her deeply knowledgeable three-member team do the work the old-fashioned way: When a query comes in, they either recall the information from memory, look it up in a reference book, or pick up the phone to track down the appropriate expert. But the department’s future is threatened by a new technology in the form of a massive room-size IBM computer, introduced by Spencer Tracy’s “methods engineer” Richard Sumner, an outside consultant who is there to improve the “work/man-hour relationship” by selling companies on the idea of automating tasks currently performed by humans.
From screenwriters Phoebe and Henry Ephron (parents of Nora Ephron), the premise is a backdrop against which Hepburn and Tracy can flirt and banter and fall in love on screen. Even so, I’m struck by how accurately the movie anticipates internet search engines and artificial intelligence.
Research departments used to be commonplace. Newspapers had them too, and called them the morgue, which kept track of print and photo archives. But it was also a resource center. Reporters could call the morgue and ask, “What year did XYZ happen?” or “What was the average CEO compensation in 1973?” The staff would track down the answer, using not only back issues of the paper, but any resource that would provide the information. The morgue wound down at the Tribune in the first decade of the 21st century when internet search engines meant editors and reporters could do much of that work on their own — and faster.
But these very tools are regressing, thanks to AI. A few days ago, I Googled “1980s TV dramas” and was given results for “dorama show picks” — that’s not a typo on my end, that’s how Google spelled it — and the list included “Growing Pains,” an ’80s sitcom. “Dorama” is a Japanese word for TV shows of various types, which might explain the mixup, but does it? I was typing in English from a U.S. internet service provider and the results were American shows.
In “Desk Set,” the women of the research department are rightfully skeptical of the computer that has come to take their jobs. “Every time I mention what I do, people seem to go into a panic,” says Richard, oblivious to their concerns, to which Bunny replies deadpan: “Hm. Fascinating.”
Early on, we see how efficient the research department is. The phone rings and one of the women answers: “Oh yes, we looked that up for you and there are certain poisons which leave no trace. But it’s network policy to not mention them on our programs.” Another call comes in: “Yes, just a moment, I’ll switch you to our baseball expert.” Her colleague picks up the line, listens, then repeats the query: “The highest lifetime batting average?” For another question, Bunny recommends that one of her subordinates look in the Old Farmer’s Almanac. “If not, U.S. Weather Information Service. But check the Farmer’s Almanac first and save time.”
There is no question they can’t handle. They are filled with intelligence and curiosity and it’s a marvel to see them in action.
“Desk Set” was Hepburn and Tracy’s eighth film together and, for me, Hepburn is always the draw. “See you later,” Richard says. “Fine,” comes Bunny’s blunt response, which somehow made me laugh. Bunny isn’t worried about what this man thinks of her or placating him with niceties, but she’s quick with a zinger. When he asks about her qualifications, she says facetiously, “Is this an interview? I mean, I would have had my hair done or something.” They’re initially at odds, at least professionally. They eventually fall for one another, but the workplace tension remains.
“He’s trying to replace us all with a mechanical brain!” one of the researchers says.
Calm down, Bunny assures her, no machine can do our job.
“I understand thousands of people are being replaced by these electronic brains,” frets another employee.
They’re right to be worried! CNN reports that “corporate America is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence to automate work once exclusively done by humans” in order to “cut costs, boost profits and make their workers more productive.” Sounds like just another way of saying “work/man-hour relationship,” that phrase Tracy’s character uttered in the movie.
But it’s a false promise. AI is beset by problems, both ethical and environmental. As a research tool, it frequently provides incorrect responses, which is just what that computer in “Desk Set” does.
According to another recent report, “Artificial intelligence systems require consistent monitoring and staffing to put in place and to keep them working well. In essence: You need people, and more machines, to make sure the new tools don’t mess up.”
That last line is interesting, because “Desk Set” anticipates this as well.
The research department gets pink slips with their paychecks, leaving them to watch as a new woman is brought in to operate the computer. But she becomes flustered and overwhelmed as it spits out wrong answers, and it gets so bad that she just up and leaves.
Richard is confused. He looks around at the team: Why are you all just standing there? Because we just got fired, Bunny informs him. No, that wasn’t supposed to happen, he says, the computer wasn’t meant to replace you, it’s here to help you. (Turns out, the computer fired the entire workforce in error.) By the way, the company is also merging with another media company and it’s funny (not funny) how familiar that sounds, too.
The advent of computers was simultaneously exciting and scary because it promised so much change. The Ephrons understood how to acknowledge that even in a lighthearted film. We used to see our anxieties reflected in movies, even something diverting like a romantic comedy.
Hollywood doesn’t do that much anymore and cinema is lesser for it.
Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.