Katharine Hepburn | Hollywood Yesterday

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

Cary Grant: One of the Most Gifted Comedic Actors EVER

January 31, 2022 By Joi

Cary Grant, Arsenic and Old Lace

I have a couple of confessions to make that, after experience taught me how wrong I was, humiliate me to say:

I once didn’t care for Cary Grant as an actor in the least.
I put off seeing any of his comedies because I didn’t believe (even for a second) that he could be funny.

My first Cary Grant film was In Name Only and, while I loved (and love) the movie, he wasn’t… shall we say… one of my favorite dramatic actors. In fact, there were several scenes when I thought, “Why didn’t the director yell CUT and reshoot the scene a little less… well… hammy?!” His acting was, in a few scenes, a little too Garbo for me. HOWEVER, he would go on to become an excellent dramatic actor.

By my second Cary Grant movie, The Philadelphia Story, I could see a huge change in his onscreen demeanor. There was a great confidence and sense of “I belong!” that would stay with him for the rest of his career.

During the time between my second Cary Grant film and my third (Bringing Up Baby), I kept reading about his comedies but I never got excited about seeing him because (in my mind) he was a dramatic actor… sometimes very dramatic lmao!

Fortunately one day Bringing Up Baby was coming on TCM and… because I LOVE Katharine Hepburn… I sat down to watch. Cary Grant… yes… Cary Grant… nearly stole the movie from Hepburn! He was absolutely hilarious and his comedic timing was beautifully natural and on the mark each and every time. Words can’t describe how brilliant the man was with comedy.

Comedy has to be the most difficult thing for an actor/actress to do… and yet this is where he truly shines.

After Bringing Up Baby, I immediately found and watched Arsenic and Old Lace. Again, he blew me away. He was a comedic GENIUS and I honestly felt like I had discovered a whole new actor.

Over the years, I have watched and loved many of his dramas, as well, but let’s make no mistake about it…. comedic Cary is my favorite Cary.

If you’ve never seen Cary Grant’s comedies, I hope you’ll seek them out. Starting with either Arsenic and Old Lace or Bringing Up Baby is highly recommended!

Bringing Up Baby (from the Criterion Collection) is available on dvd or Prime Video.

You can also find Arsenic and Old Lace on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video!

Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby

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.

Katharine Hepburn Quotes

February 16, 2017 By Joi

“Who is Katharine Hepburn? It took me a long time to create that creature.”“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.”

(About marriage) “It’s bloody impractical. ‘To love, honor, and obey’. If it weren’t, you wouldn’t have to sign a contract.”

“I wear my sort of clothes to save me the trouble of deciding which clothes to wear.”

“I don’t regret anything I’ve ever done; As long as I enjoyed it at the time.”

“People have grown fond of me, like some old building.”

“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.”

“Not everyone is lucky enough to understand how delicious it is to suffer.”

“With all the opportunities I had, I could have done more. And if I’d done more, I could have been quite remarkable.”

“I find a woman’s point of view much grander and finer than a man’s.”

“I remember as a child going around with “Votes For Women” balloons. I learnt early what it is to be snubbed for a good cause.”

“Acting is a nice childish profession – pretending you’re someone else and at the same time selling yourself.”

“Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around wondering about yourself.”

“Life’s what’s important. Walking, houses, family. Birth and pain and joy. Acting’s just waiting for a custard pie. That’s all.”

“Life can be wildly tragic at times, and I’ve had my share. But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude. In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh.”

“Enemies are so stimulating.”

“I have many regrets, and I’m sure everyone does. The stupid things you do, you regret if you have any sense, and if you don’t regret them, maybe you’re stupid.”

(About Cary Grant) “He is personality functioning.”

(When asked what star quality means) “It’s either some kind of electricity or some kind of energy. I don’t know what it is, but whatever it is, I’ve got it.”

“Who is Katharine Hepburn? It took me a long time to create that creature.”

(When Barbara Walters asked her if she owned a skirt) “I have one, Ms. Walters. I’ll wear it to your funeral.”

(About Marlon Brando) “I don’t think he’s a limited actor at all – I think he’s a very gifted actor. Although I’m afraid he may be a limited person.”

(About Humphrey Bogart) “He was a real man — nothing feminine about him. He knew he was a natural aristocrat — better than anybody.”

(About Peter O’Toole) “He can do anything. A bit cuckoo, but sweet and terribly funny.”

(In 1954, about Judy Holliday) “My, I like Judy Holliday! She looks like a Monet model. And she’s so — so defenseless. I like defenseless people. They’re the best.”

“Cold sober, I find myself absolutely fascinating.”

“I’ve made forty-three pictures. Naturally I’m adorable in all of them.” (1991)

“Acting is the most minor of gifts and not a very high-class way to earn a living. After all, Shirley Temple could do it at the age of four.”

“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!

Katharine Hepburn: Stylish, Sophisticated, Smart… What’s Not to Love?

February 5, 2017 By Joi

Katharine HepburnKatharine Hepburn was recognized by MSN Lifestyle as the biggest influence on women’s fashion in the ’30s and ’40s. It’s a very impressive honor and couldn’t be more deserved.

Hepburn’s fashion legacy was one of breaking rules, pushing the boundaries and finding your own signature style – even if it seems a little radical. She’s remembered as the first woman in Hollywood to wear pants…which, at the time, was about as radical as it gets.

I often pay Katharine Hepburn one of the greatest compliments I have to bestow, which is this: When it comes to reading about the stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood (something I do and have done for over 20 years…. and we’re talking daily here), you unfortunately find yourself losing a little respect for aspects of their lives, choices, and personalities. They were/are, after all, humans… and we’re frail at best.

However, Katharine Hepburn (along with a few others, such as Audrey Hepburn, Andy Griffith, Jimmy Stewart..) is a very rare human, indeed. You find yourself liking and respecting her more with each word you read about her. Whether they’re her own eloquent words or words being said about her, you realize just how intelligent, thoughtful, and woefully ahead of her time this talented and beautiful lady was.

There was a boldness and a confidence about her that simply set her apart from the rest. If you’ve never read up on Katharine Hepburn, I whole-heartedly recommend it. She will blow you away.

One of my favorite Old Hollywood biographies happens to be about this incredible woman. It’s I Know Where I’m Going (Amazon Link) by Charlotte Chandler and every single page is remarkable.