Katharine Hepburn: Five Films for Newcomers
Today is Katharine Hepburn’s birthday, and so it’s time to celebrate the legacy of one of Hollywood’s greats. The winningest performer in Academy Awards history (four Best Actress wins), the figurehead of many different eras of cinema, and often considered one of the greatest cinematic thespians, Hepburn paved the way for much of acting history mainly because of her ability to adapt. Starting in Pre-Code Hollywood (her first Oscar win was for Morning Glory), she also took part in the Post-Code Hollywood movements (including Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, her second Oscar win). She spearheaded many different styles as well (to be discussed below). Basically, Katharine Hepburn was unstoppable. If you’re new to her works, then this may be your ideal list. Here are five films for newcomers of the films of Katharine Hepburn.
5. Stage Door
Probably the best of her Pre-Code films, Stage Door starred Hepburn a few years after she broke big with Morning Glory. Heavily resembling her own life of privilege (she was a part of the wealthy, popular Hepburn family), her role in this film was yet another strong performance by the star, who was being pushed by studios to prove she wasn’t a one-trick pony. It’ll be good to get some of Hepburn’s early years in your repertoire.
4. The African Queen
The negative — and positive — chemistry between Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in this John Huston classic will never get old. As Rose Sayer, Hepburn makes this missionary difficult yet clever, so the tension is always present but her motives are never really questioned. Being one of the first great Technicolor adventure films of the ‘50s, Hepburn and company set a large precedent for years to come.
3. On Golden Pond
Hepburn’s peacemaker role as Ethel Thayer in the therapeutic drama On Golden Pond was her fourth and last Academy Award. As the mediator between both Henry and Jane Fonda — real life father and daughter who set aside their differences to work together in this bonding film — Hepburn acts as the anchor of the film so brilliantly. If you’re used to seeing Hepburn play a stern character or a sillier role, this is a must-see side of the multi faceted actress who could do it all.
2. The Philadelphia Story
You can place any of Hepburn’s screwball works here: Bringing Up Baby, Adam’s Rib, Woman of the Year, you name it. I went with The Philadelphia Story, because I think it’s Hepburn’s strongest moment in a goofier role, especially being the connecting bridge between the antics of Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. I also love how prominent Hepburn is in this film (compared to, say, Bringing Up Baby, which can definitely be seen more as Grant’s hour), because we get so much time with her quick dialogue, her befuddled responses, and her efforts to clean up the mess that she is in. It’s all great fun, and Hepburn is as charming as ever.
1. The Lion in Winter
Katharine Hepburn’s third Academy Award was for Anthony Harvey’s domestic epic The Lion in Winter, and for damn good reason. If you ever want to see one of acting’s greatest performers at their very best, this is the absolutely essential place to start. She steals the entire film, in a cast that includes Timothy Dalton and Anthony Hopkins in early roles, and Peter O’Toole. Hepburn completely dominates the film as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who plays a distant soul until provoked too many times; her explosions are honestly frightening. Not one to be messed with, Hepburn’s unforgiving queen is some of the finest acting you may ever see.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.