Today’s post is dedicated to Katharine Hepburn (1907 - 2003), the classy, regal, amazingly talented actress (often regarded as one of the greatest of all time). I have mentioned some of her movies in previous posts, and today I would like to mention 4 more favorite Katharine Hepburn movies:
The African Queen (1951)
Katharine Hepburn stars alongside Humphrey Bogart (in his Oscar-winning role) as a missionary left on her own in the African jungle. Bogart’s character is a hard-drinking river trader who helps rescue Hepburn by taking her on his river boat; these two polar opposites gradually work together and even fall in love. This is a charming romance filled with moments of adventure and humor.
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (1967)
Katharine Hepburn earned her 2nd Academy Award for this film, in which she and real life love (and frequent co-star) Spencer Tracy portray an open-minded couple that face a situation that may test their dedication to their values and beliefs, when their daughter returns home engaged to a black doctor (played by Sidney Poitier). Hepburn gives a fine performance as a woman who fully supports her daughter’s decision, but struggles to remain supportive of her husband, who has serious qualms.
The Lion In Winter (1968)
Katharine Hepburn won her 3rd Academy Award for her outstanding performance as Eleanor of Aquitaine, the imprisoned wife of King Henry II (Peter O’Toole, in an equally impressive performance) who is given a temporary release at Christmas to spend time with her husband and their three feuding sons, all wishing to become the next king. Numerous plots, deceptions and betrayals unfold, with Eleanor and Henry each determined to make the choice of the son that is to be the heir to the throne.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962)
Another superb performance by the great Kate in this impressive adaptation of the Eugene O’Neill play about a family called Tyrone, living in the early 1900s. The father (Ralph Richardson) is a tightwad, pompous retired actor; the mother is an unbalanced morphine addict; and there are two sons: one is an alcoholic (Jason Robards) and the other (Dean Stockwell) is dying of tuberculosis. This is one very intense, often depressing (but still fascinating) family drama.
I remember watching the African Queen once with you and mom. It was funny, scary, a little quirky, but mostly just a great film.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a great tribute to one of the best actresses of all time!