Preview: The Movie Star, Katharine Hepburn

"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

This summer, we've already visited with royalty of cinema; icons of the silver screen like Bogart, Chaplin, Brando, Newman and Audrey Hepburn. But when it comes to the most acclaimed actress in film, the biggest star, few can argue against that other Hepburn. Katharine Hepburn had a career that spanned six decades working with the titans of the industry. Or rather, perhaps I should say that many of the best known names in film worked with a titan like her. A talent that lit up screens and a personality to match her vivacious performances, Katharine Hepburn was truly one of a kind.

She has the most Oscars for Best Actress with 4 wins, and had a total of 12 nominations under her belt. Katharine was known for playing strong-willed characters, and was at her best when she played off a strong male lead. Watching the inevitable clash of characters was always a joy to behold, whether it was dramatic or comedic.

The African Queen is one of the great classics, and is widely seen as the validating film near the end of Humphrey Bogart's illustrious career. Released in 1951 and directed by John Huston, the film also features Hepburn displaying her bossy splendor. She plays Rose Sayer, a missionary alongside her reverend brother in German East Africa at the outbreak of World War I. Bogart is Charlie, their rough-and-tumble supplier. When the mission village is destroyed and her brother is killed by German forces, Charlie helps her bury her brother and begins the task of helping her escape the volatile area in his ship, The African Queen.

Rose, however, has other plans. Evocative of the spunk that so well defines Hepburn, she wants to strike back and convert the vessel into a torpedo boat to attack a fortified German boat. Charlie finds that the passage down a dangerous river is nothing compared to Rose's moxie. Audiences were beckoned to the adventure and the clashing of these two movie stars. Katharine was nominated for an Academy Award as Rose, and despite a treasure trove of performances by Humphrey Bogart over the years, this is the only film that won him an Oscar.

Not that Hepburn wasn't adept at comedy as well as dramatic river adventures.

The comedic banter of Hepburn and Cary Grant may be best known in Howard Hawks' Bringing Up Baby, but they also made a trio of films with director George Cukor around the same time. Holiday is another fine example in the Hepburn and Grant repertoire of witty performances.

It harkens back to a time when romantic comedies were actually both romantic and funny. In Holiday, Grant plays Johnny Case, a man who thinks outside he box and wants to escape the grinds of work to go on an extended holiday. Think of it as a retirement to enjoy one's youth while one is actually, well... young. Naturally, everyone thinks it's a bad idea. Among those trying to dissuade him are his finance and her millionaire father, who want Johnny to settle into their business, but he refuses to yield his ambition to do nothing.

Actually, he does have encouragement from two of the darker sheep in the fiance's wealthy family: her lush brother and a free-spirited sister, Linda (Hepburn). As he gets to know the headstrong Linda, he begins to see that he has more in common with her than his fiance. With her influence, Johnny must decide what path is right for him... and possibly which girl.

Katharine Hepburn was an actress who literally could do anything, over the decades she displayed enormous levels of talent, and she always had personality in spades. She's the grand dame of movie stars, and her level of smart and dynamic female roles opened the doors for actresses everywhere. Without her, we would have no Meryl Streep or Cate Blanchett... or Cate Blanchett winning an Oscar for playing Katharine Hepburn herself. A unique blend of sophistication, intelligence and charm, Hepburn was true Hollywood royalty. Hail to the queen.

Showtimes for the films:

The African Queen
Tuesday, Jul 19th
7:00
Wednesday, Jul 20th
9:00

Thursday, Jul 21st

7:00

Holiday
Tuesday, Jul 19th
9:10
Wednesday, Jul 20th
7:00

Thursday, Jul 21st

9:10

Final Notes about the screening

Double Features:
"When two movies are grouped together under the same thematic heading, one ticket is good for both features when viewed back-to-back on the same day." (cha-ching!)

Parking:
"Hassle-free downtown parking available for $6 at the One American Center for all summer films! Since you’re also supporting the theatre when you buy parking, they're giving you a free small soda each time you park there for a film. Buy online with your film tix and print out your confirmation e-mail or buy directly from the garage attendant (cash only). Attendant will have your soda ticket as well."