Katharine Hepburn | Hollywood Yesterday

A Great Katharine Hepburn Quote That (Like Her) Doesn’t Hold Back!

May 15, 2023 By Joi

Katharine Hepburn, The Philadelphia Story

“I’m a personality as well as an actress. Show me an actress who isn’t a personality, and you’ll show me a woman who isn’t a star.” ~ Katharine Hepburn

I know there are almost always exceptions to every rule, but I completely understand what she was saying… what’s more, I completely agree with her! Obviously, she isn’t saying that an actress (or actor, as well, for that matter) can’t be incredibly gifted or talented if they aren’t a “personality,” she’s simply saying they aren’t a STAR, all caps.

In fact, the ones best-remembered and celebrated to this day?? They’re almost always the ones who were personalities.

Happy Katharine Hepburn Day! The Iconic and Legendary Actress was BOTD in 1907

May 12, 2023 By Joi

Katharine Hepburn and David Manners in A Bill of Divorcement

Katharine Hepburn’s first film was A Bill of Divorcement (1932). Directed by George Cukor, the movie also stars John Barrymore, David Manners, Billie Burke, and Elizabeth Patterson.

The executive producer (David O. Selznick) did NOT want the newcomer, 24 year old Katharine Hepburn, in the lead role but Cukor DID. Cukor won out and would go on to have a wonderful lifelong working relationship (and friendship) with the legendary actress.

Katharine Hepburn and David Manners

In an interview w/Dick Cavett, Hepburn told how he studio’s PR department kept trying to get her to wear beautiful gowns around the set instead of her much-preferred pants.

Long story short: She balked. They took her pants. She walked around in her underwear. Her pants were returned!

Katharine Hepburn’s second film, Christopher Strong (1933) is memorable for several reasons…

It was directed by the trailblazing Dorothy Arzner… not a lot of women directors in old Hollywood!
This was Katharine Hepburn’s second film
It was the first film in which she was given top billing… imagine… top billing in just your second film.
…and, of course, the moth costume is VERY memorable (see below for proof)

Katharine Hepburn, Christopher Strange (1933)

Katharine Hepburn won four Oscars for Best Lead Actress:

Morning Glory, 1934
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1968
The Lion in Winter, 1969
On Golden Pond, 1982

She was nominated for 8 more in the same category. Kind of thinking that, had she won these as well, they should have renamed it the “Katharine Hepburn Award!”

Katharine Hepburn

Positivity, Fertilizer, Dolphins, and Katharine Hepburn… and it’s Just Monday!

May 1, 2023 By Joi

Rita Hayworth

As I mention on the About Page for Hollywood Yesterday, I am stunningly careful and respectful when writing about these wonderful stars from Old Hollywood. Heck, I even use extra care when simply posting their pictures, whether it’s on my blog or Twitter Page.

I’m diligent about keeping these beautiful stars shining brightly and I want them to shine on at their very best. Whether it’s a post I publish on this blog or tweets I send on Twitter, I often remind myself of a heart-tugging quote Rita Hayworth once told someone, “Whatever you write about me, don’t make it sad.”

I have no idea of doing anything remotely like that, Rita. You’re safe with me.

Yesterday I started to tweet a photo of Rita (seems I’m extra protective of her!) and I looked closely at it first… it occurred to me that it wouldn’t be one she’d want to be remembered by. Trust me, it didn’t take long to find a better one. I had a couple zillion to choose from.

These beautiful, wonderful, amazing, extraordinary stars were human, just like the rest of us. Even Rita was presumably human. Whether they’re still with us or have passed on, they want to be remembered at their best.

It honestly breaks my heart when I see someone bringing up the worst moments in someone’s life after they’ve passed. I always want to ask them, “Do you want to be remembered, after you’re gone, for your worst moments or your best?” Seriously, some seem to carry a personal vendetta against select stars for what they once said, who they once divorced, what they once did, how they voted (seriously?!?) etc.

Why? Well, it’s beyond me. If, say social justice warriors Jane Doe or her brother John Doe want to make the world a better place, I commend them. How about volunteering at a homeless shelter or home for battered women and/or children, taking up and supporting a cause to help those who are hurting or hungry, jump on board a program that’s making the world safer and happier place for Veterans, children, animals, dolphins, the elderly, diabetics, people with Down’s Syndrome, Autism, etc. The Does could take that passion and drive (both of which are admirable traits) and direct them where they truly make a difference.

So many people would WIN then… life is so much sweeter when you focus your energy on making wins for lots of people as opposed to a loss for one. Especially when that one has already passed on!

Frankly, wagging one’s tongue relentlessly about an actor or actress who is no longer even alive isn’t doing anyone any good. Negativity and toxicity almost always most hurts the one who is spreading it around. Kind of like when I spread fertilizer on my flowers, herbs, or vegetables… it gets on me, it doesn’t get on anyone else. To keep drawing from a pool of toxicity, hate, and slandering would be like me deciding I very much wanted to just spread the fertilizer out on the ground and wallow in it.

Not a great look. My cats would have me committed.

I have noticed something on social media lately – I’d say over the course of the past year. The more toxic and negative people in the old Hollywood community are fading away. They’re discovering that people may be mildly amused by constant anger and by someone belittling and making fun of people for a while but, ultimately, they tire of all the drama and feel smothered by the toxicity. With no one else to rant to, they simply disappear. Now, don’t get me wrong, I actually hate it. I’d much rather they had, mid-rant about this actor or that one, realized that they were helping no one. Personally, I believe they think they’re making themselves look good. If one has to dig up a bad quote or mistake from someone no longer even living to make themselves look good, it’s kind of sad… downright bordering on pathetic.

Another pet peeve is when someone (again on social media) responds to a positive message with vile for the individual. When I first jumped on the social media bandwagon, some people had me reluctant to even post about a couple of people because they always had venom to spew. One day.. I remember it well because I literally had a mental and physical pivot lol… I sat down to Tweet something about Katharine Hepburn. I stood back up thinking, “Oh, no.. there’ll be about 3 different people who’ll say negative things about her relationship with Spencer Tracy and a few others who’ll make fun of her… I don’t have the mental bandwidth for them today…” But, as I stood up, the more spirited side of my persona told the mild side, “Heck them!” and we all sat back down.

Since then, when someone says something negative about someone (Katharine, Spencer, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean are some of people’s favorite targets), I literally tweet three more things about the person.

Petty? Probably. But it amuses the spirited side greatly.

(Continued below the wonderful Katharine Hepburn…)

Katharine Hepburn

I am just so very, very thankful that the vast majority of people in the Old Hollywood community are just as respectful of the stars as I am. I can tell by the graciousness of their words and even by the photos they share. It makes me so happy that there are so many people who want to keep these stars alive and well – whether it’s the ones who are already household names…

Marilyn Monroe
Rita Hayworth
John Wayne
Ava Gardner
Henry Fonda
Maureen O’Hara
James Stewart
Joan Crawford
Sidney Poitier
Bette Davis
Katharine Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Veronica Lake
Lionel Barrymore
Lena Horne

… or those we are trying very hard to MAKE household names…

Ann Sheridan
Ethel Barrymore
Margaret Lindsay
Paul Henreid
Victor McLaglen
Beulah Bondi
Paul Robeson
Thomas Mitchell
Dorothy Dandridge
Rhonda Fleming
Ann Dvorak
etc…

I love that so many people are doing their part to keep Old Hollywood alive and exciting. I wish I could personally thank every single person who is involved.

At any rate, there you have it – the ins and outs of why I am relentlessly positive, why I don’t respond to negativity, and why I don’t shine spotlights on flaws or use myself as an echo for ugly quotes. Just because someone doesn’t want to talk about, read about, or point out mistakes others have made doesn’t mean they approve of any of them – it simply means they’re busy living their own life and have their hands full with this whole being a human thing to cast a single stone.

Thank you so much for being here, you honor me with your presence,

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Great George Cukor Quote About Making the 1933 Film Little Women

August 26, 2022 By Joi

Katharine Hepburn and Joan Bennett

Director George Cukor on preparing for a film, “I am a great believe in research. In a film like Little Women (1933) you should ask yourself, ‘What kind of clothes did they wear?’… The house is a reproduction of Louisa May Alcott’s house; the scale is exactly right.”

The wonderful drama Little Women (1933) was directed by George Cukor and stars Katharine Hepburn (Jo), Joan Bennett (Amy), Jean Parker (Beth), Frances Dee (Meg), Spring Byington (Marmee), and Edna May Oliver (Aunt March).

You can find the 1933 version of Little Women (Amazon link) on DVD or watch the film on Prime Video.

Frances Dee, Jean Parker, Katharine Hepburn, and Joan Bennett

Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Gail Patrick, and Eve Arden: Stage Door

September 6, 2021 By Joi

Ginger Rogers and Gail Patrick

Stage Door (1937, directed by Gregory La Cava) is one of the all-time great films. The cast is BEYOND perfection and includes Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden (practically steals the whole movie!), Adolphe Menjou, and Gail Patrick.

If you’ve never seen this outstanding movie, I hope you’ll see it as soon as possible – every single minute is fast-paced, flawless, and mesmerizing. While there is a great deal of humor (the dialogue is fast, furious, and fantastic), it will also break your heart at one point. Phenomenal movie.

You can find Stage Door on dvd (Amazon link) or watch it on Prime Video.

Kathrine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Eve Arden, Pamela Blake, and Andrea Leeds

Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, The African Queen

August 2, 2021 By Joi

Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, The African Queen

It’s always a special thrill when you watch a movie starring two of your favorites. In fact, it’s so special, I tend to watch these movies over and over again! Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart are two of my absolute favorites, so you can imagine how many times I’ve watched the wonderful 1951 movie The African Queen.

I just love everything about this movie and the casting could not have been more perfect.

You can find The African Queen on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video. It is as extraordinary as its stars… which is absolutely saying something!

Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart

Katharine Hepburn, Picture of the Day and a Confession…

February 18, 2020 By Joi

Katharine Hepburn, The Philadelphia Story

If you spend much time discussing Old Hollywood with other fans, you know that some stars are more loved than others. Some (like James Stewart, Barbara Stanwyck, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and Lucille Ball) seem to be universally loved… you seldom hear anyone say unkind things about these stars.

Others (like Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Jerry Lewis, Elvis…), on the other hand, can start debates, discussions, and sometimes even arguments when you simply mention their names. Unfortunately for me, I happen to love each one of these “divisive” stars! Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich are also often divisive.

For whatever reasons, the one I take the biggest exception to is Katharine Hepburn. I, admittedly, can be overly defensive when it comes to this particular actress. I will defend the others, mind you, but there’s just something different when it comes to her.

I’ve even blocked people on Twitter who said she wasn’t a talented actress. No time in my life for people who have zero common sense!

Kidding… kidding. Okay, not really.

So there you have it, my confession of the day. I am ridiculously over-protective and defensive of Miss Hepburn. In my personal opinion, she could do no wrong when it came to acting. She was so incredibly talented and versatile – just as wonderful in comedies as she was in dramas.

She was also a generous actor – when it was a co-star’s “moment,” she allowed them to shine. Some (even some of my favorites, mind you!) never wanted anyone to shine but themselves.

Her generosity in this regard stands out.

Who does Joi tend to get insanely defensive of??? THIS LADY!!!

Katharine Hepburn: 24 Fast Facts About a Fascinating Legend

November 15, 2019 By Joi

“I’m a personality as well as an actress. Show me an actress who isn’t a personality, and you’ll show me a woman who isn’t a star.” ~ Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907, in Hartford, Connecticut. Her mother, Katharine, was known for being a very strong-willed and highly intelligent woman who was very much interested in women’s rights. Her father, Thomas, was a doctor. They encouraged their children to always speak their mind and to stand up for themselves.

When it came to Katharine… it took!

Katharine often credited her parents for instilling in her a very strong sense of independence, confidence, and zero hesitation to speak her mind or stand up for herself.

Katharine Hepburn is one of the most talented AND fascinating individuals I’ve ever studied and researched. If you aren’t yet a fan, please get to know her better, watch more of her films, and read her quotes and interviews. She was one in a billion.

Below are 24 Fast Facts About the Great Lady:

When she was 14, Katharine found her much beloved brother Tom hanging by the neck in their aunt’s attic. They had been visiting her when the accident or suicide happened….it was never really proved whether it was, in fact, a suicide or if Tom had been pulling a stunt that went horribly wrong. The family believed it was the latter, as the young boy was known for stunts. His death coupled with the fact that she discovered him, haunted Katharine for years. Probably all of her life.
She never watched Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner because it was (her much loved partner) Spencer Tracy’s last film.
Was nominated 12 times for the Best Actress Academy Award and won four times. Personally, I think she should have also won for her role as Alice Adams (1935)
She actually walked around the studio in her underwear in the early 1930s when the costume department stole her slacks from her dressing room. They wanted her to wear more “ladylike” clothing, but she stood her ground – refusing to put anything else on until they were returned!
Was a leading contender for the role of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind.
She did all her own stunts because she felt that the stunt women never stood up straight enough.
Served as Maid of Honor at Vivien Leigh’s and Laurence Olivier’s wedding.
Was in a loving relationship with Spencer Tracy from 1943 all the way to his death in 1967.
In the 1993 TV documentary Katharine Hepburn: All About Me, she stated that she did not suffer from Parkinsons. “Now to squash a rumor. No, I don’t have Parkinson’s. I inherited my shaking head from my grandfather Hepburn. I discovered that whiskey helps stop the shaking. Problem is, if you’re not careful, it stops the rest of you too. My head just shakes, but I promise you, it ain’t gonna fall off!“.
She is the only 4-time Oscar recipient for acting.
Her mother’s maiden name was Houghton. Each of Her and Thomas’ six children were given Houghton for their middle names.
Made nine films with Spencer Tracy.
When Cate Blanchett won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Aviator in 2004, Hepburn became the first previous Oscar winner to become an Oscar-winning movie role.
Was a natural redhead.
Her favorite actress was Bette Davis.
While she, at times, may have come across as difficult, much of it was simply the result of having a strong personality in a world (Hollywood) where many tried to hide or “curb” their true selves for one more “agreeable.” Miss Hepburn didn’t care too much if anyone found her agreeable or not!
Was a big fan of John Gilbert and Greta Garbo.
She became very, very fond of Christopher Reeve when they worked on Broadway’s “A Matter of Gravity.” She even told him that she wanted him to take care of her when she retired. His reply was heart-breakingly ironic, “Miss Hepburn, I don’t think I’ll live that long.”.
While she appeared delicate, she was actually very athletic – she was an avid golfer, tennis player, and swimmer. She also loved to ride her bicycle.
Suffered from pyrophobia (fear of fire).
1939 is considered to be the greatest year in classic American cinema by many film historians. Ironically, Katharine Hepburn did not appear in a single film in 1939. She was on stage playing Tracy Lord in “The Philadelphia Story,” a story which, made into a film, proved to be her comeback after (INSANELY) being branded as box-office poison.
According to Katharine, on the night Spencer Tracy died, he had gotten up in the middle of the night to get a glass of milk. She followed him to the kitchen but heard a glass shatter and then a loud thud before she got there. She found the legendary actor (and great love of her life) dead on the floor, having suffered a massive heart attack.
Often called her role as the title character in Alice Adams (1935) her favorite.
She and Walter Brennan are the only actors to win 3 Oscars on 3 consecutive nominations.

The Making of the African Queen by Katharine Hepburn

October 1, 2019 By Joi

The Making of The African Queen

One of my guiltiest of pleasures is getting inside of Katharine Hepburn’s head.

What a place!

Whether it’s listening to interviews, coming across her quotes, or (my favorite) reading her memoirs – getting a front row seat to the intriguing thoughts of one of our greatest actors/actresses of all time is a treat I never pass up.

Needless to say, I collect all Katharine Hepburn biographies, memoirs, autobiographies, magazines… if she’s in it, I’m on it.

One of my favorites is The Making of The African Queen. In this larger-than-life account (Let’s face it, what associated with Katharine Hepburn isn’t larger-than-life?), she tells, in her own priceless words and in her own delicious way, everything that went on behind the scenes of this legendary film. She tells of Bogie and Bacall’s great love for one another, the time she basically told John Huston to scram… only to become very close to him…. how they all made the absolute best out of difficult situations, etc.

As luck has it…

Katharine Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses.
Humphrey Bogart is one of my favorite actors.
Lauren Bacall is one of my favorite actresses.
John Huston is one of my favorite directors.
The African Queen is one of my favorite movies.

No wonder I love this book – it was practically written for me! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Continued below the legends…

I’ll tell you a few of the things I love the things I love most about Katharine Hepburn:

She was a straight-shooter. She didn’t mollycoddle anyone or anything. If she didn’t like something, she said so. If she did like something, she said so.
She knew who she was and didn’t need anyone’s approval and she darn sure didn’t need their permission.
She was one of the greatest actors/actresses EVER. I’ll go a step further – there will NEVER be another like her.
While she was deliciously frank and honest, she was also uncommonly fair and positive. Yes, positive… and in VERY positive. She seems to have an image (when it comes to some people, anyway) as being kind of “hard” and edgy. Here’s the facts: I read a lot…. a lot a lot a lot a lot…. of Old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies. Seriously, I couldn’t even begin to count the number I read in just a year, let alone over a lifetime. I always have at least three going at any given time. Of all the stars’ memoirs I’ve read or quotes they’ve given, I have never read a star who was more giving to those they worked with or more positive about their experiences than Katharine Hepburn. In fact, I could count on one hand, probably, stars who were AS positive. It’s simply the way she was and I love it.

Not only is The Making of The African Queen fascinating because of the firsthand details our wonderful author gives us, it is also fascinating because of the wonderful pictures – many never seen anywhere else.

As you know, when it comes to my movie reviews and my book reviews, I like to keep things short and sweet when possible and I detest the thought of giving away too much information that I want you to come across on your own – heck, I refuse to spoil your fun! I will keep this review short and sweet as well. If you love Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Huston, The African Queen or simply are a fan of Old movies… you need to add this book to your collection. When you click through to Amazon, be sure to look at the “Used” books available.

I’ve gotten to where I always buy “Used” books on Amazon (I’m just sure to mark “excellent” or “very good” as determiners). I figure that saving money on one book simply means I can buy two or three!

And there you have it… a look inside my devious, plotting, book-greedy mind!

~ Joi

P.S. If you don’t know much about Katharine Hepburn, please start reading more about her – particularly in her own words. She was a fascinating, larger-than-life, inspiring, one-of-a-kind woman and the more you get to know her, the more you’ll love her. This would make me unspeakably happy.

Bringing Up Baby with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant: Why I Am Obsessed with this Movie

May 11, 2019 By Joi

Ever watch a movie and think, “You are perfect in every way!“? Of course you have! I think these very words every time I watch Bringing Up Baby (1938) with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. There’s nothing about this movie I don’t love to distraction. Truth be told, it’s one of those delicious classic old movies that I am completely and utterly obsessed with.

I could talk for hours and hours about this movie without ever taking a breath…

director Howard Hawks’ brilliance
the perfection of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant’s performances
the hilarious dialogue
the way the film is perfectly timeless – as hilarious today as it was then and as enjoyable the 100th time you watch it as it was the first
the phenomenal way Katharine Hepburn NAILS comedy, in spite of this being her first comedic role
the fact that this is my favorite Cary Grant role
the chemistry between Hepburn and Grant
the beautiful leopard!
how perfect Barry Fitzgerald is in every single movie he’s in
the clothes from this era

See what I mean? Obsessed.

Those of use who are Old Hollywood enthusiasts (addicts, fanatics… whatever word you use, I’ll answer) have lists we carry around in our heads of movies we recommend to those who aren’t as deep into old movies as we are. Bringing Up Baby is high on my own mental list.

I also keep it in my mental files on lists for people who only think they don’t like Katharine Hepburn or people who don’t think Cary Grant can do screwball comedy.

Heck… get out of here with that… he helped invent it.

Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, Bringing Up Baby

Plot: Katharine Hepburn beautifully (absolutely beautifully) plays Susan, an eccentric heiress who happens to have a pet leopard named Baby. She falls hard (literally a few times) for nerdish paleontologist David – played brilliantly and hilariously by Cary Grant. Problem is, she is making a total mess out of his prim and proper life and he just wants to get away from her.

Or, so he thinks.

Not only is this movie an absolute joy to watch, I’m in love with the fact that the stars, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant had such a wonderful time making the film. I’ve read that they enjoyed it so much they’d frequently show up to the set early, just to get started working on their scenes. Some colorful “scenes,” no doubt as entertaining as the movie, carried out during the making of the movie as well!

The following is from the WONDERFUL Katharine Hepburn biography, I Know Where I’m Going by Charlotte Chandler:

“I make an effort to get along with all of my costars, the director, everyone on the set,” Cary Grant told me, “but I did not wish to establish a relationship with Baby.” He was referring to the leopard in Howard Hawks’ film Bringing Up Baby.

“I felt she might, at some moment, remember the call of her genes that told her she was a wild animal. Or she might like me too much and want to play. I hoped she’d had a good manicure, short claws, but I wasn’t going to be the one to take a close look. Now, Kate was never as worried by Baby. She like to pull her tail, fearless girl that she was, and Baby seemed to enjoy it. Kate didn’t pull very hard.”

“The was I saw my character, Susan,” Kate said, “was, I did anything that came into my heart. There was a great deal of the way I see myself in Susan,” Kate told me.

Ironically, frustratingly, and bewilderingly (pulling out all the stops with the -ly words here, aren’t I?), Bringing Up Baby was a box office bomb. I don’t understand it in the least, but there you have it. Equally {insert all of the previous -ly words here} is the fact that Katharine Hepburn seemed to get the blame!

WHAT?!

Katharine Hepburn, “Baby,” and Cary Grant – Bringing Up Baby

In 1938, the Independent Film Journal published an editorial to the Hollywood studios from the National Theatre Distributors of America. It included a list of stars (wait until you read the names) the writer of the letter, Harry Brandt, called “Box Office Poison.” The Hollywood studios ridiculously put a lot of stock in this idiocy.

On the list were…

Katharine Hepburn
Bette Davis
Joan Crawford
Marlene Dietrich
Greta Garbo

Hahaahahahahahaa. They’re household names, today, and I just had to glance back to see Harry Brandt’s name again, even though I’d typed it mere minutes ago.

Spoiler: The ladies would survive Harry’s list.

When RKO attributed the failure to the “poisonous” Katharine Hepburn’s, they had NO idea how popular and beloved the movie would one day become. This is considered one of the original “screwball comedies” and, for my money, it’s also one of the best.

In addition to phenomenal performances by Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, the movie also stars Barry Fitzgerald (although he doesn’t appear onscreen as much as you’d like…. does he ever??), Charles Ruggles, Walter Catlett, Leona Roberts, and May Robson.

“We were both crazy. Bringing Up Baby has always been called a screwball comedy. Well, we were the two screwballs!” ~ Cary Grant

Find Bringing Up Baby on DVD(Amazon link) and add it to your collection today… this is one of those movies that’ll be your “go to” movie when you need a little lift or just feel like escaping with a couple of lovable screwballs. You can also find the movie on Prime Video.