Katharine Hepburn is an iconic film actress and the epitome of classic Hollywood. She was born in Connecticut and has a very distinct accent. She had an amazing career with four academy awards. Hepburn married a fellow actor, Spencer Tracy. Together they made nine films together.
Katharine Hepburn was a wonderful actress. She had a great talent for comedy and drama as well. As a very independent woman, Hepburn capitalized on this in her film career. She is a woman who takes charge and most often the one who peruses the man. Later in life she took on spinster roles and became quite successful at it.
She made four films with Cary Grant. One of which I’ll talk about today. In 1938 Bringing Up Baby was released to little success. It was a screwball comedy about a wealthy single woman named Susan Vance who pathologically lies to keep the man she’s interested in around. This man is Dr. David Huxley, a paleontologist played by Cary Grant.
They meet on a golf course, where Susan plays through with David’s ball. Then gets into his car, who she believes is hers. They meet again at the Ritz Plaza Hotel and causes David to get in all sorts of mischief.
After a rough night, Susan calls up David and asks if he wants a leopard. David says no, and to make him come over, Susan pretends the leopard is attacking her. David rushes over and sees the leopard with his own eyes.
Some of the scenes I enjoy most with Katharine Hepburn are when she's at her most silliest. For example, Susan and David wind up in jail, and this incompetent constable doesn't believe their story. So Susan starts talking in a street vernacular and making up a story about her being a part of "the leopard gang." It's hilarious how her character comes up with these stories. The movie ends with those two together.
For once, Grant plays a straight man who is being chased by Hepburn's character Susan. Grant is great as the serious yet clumsy doctor. Hepburn is wildly free, wacky and yet heart-warmingly funny in Bringing Up Baby.
Another great role Hepburn had, is called Adam's Rib. She plays Amanda Bonner a defense attorney faced with a wife shooting her husband after the wife finds he's been cheating. Spencer Tracy, Hepburn's husband in real life plays Adam Bonner, the attorney for the district attorney. Both Adam and Amanda view the case differently. Amanda sympathizes with her, but Adam believes there is no excuse to commit murder.
This is a classic battle against the sexes of equality in both men and women. When the case begins, their marriage begins to suffer over the antics Amanda displays in the courtroom.
Amanda finally crosses the line, and Adam leaves the house. Not before he gives a speech to his wife. This scene just goes to show you how Adam and most other men feel the same way about woman and a woman’s career.
By the end of the film, Adam gets Amanda to see his point of view and they go back home. While at home and getting ready for bed, Adam tells Amanda that he has been asked to run for a republican judgeship. Teasingly, Amanda asks who’s running for the democrats. I believe Katharine Hepburn is perfect for this role. She has the strength and independence to portray Amanda Bonner. Hepburn has had some great roles, and I know this is only a movie, and their actors, but I do believe you can see how much Spencer and Hepburn love each other.
Stick with me, next time I highlight Henry Fonda.
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