Politics and the Star Persona of Katharine Hepburn
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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In this video I take a look at how Katharine Hepburn’s real life beliefs and behaviors made their way into her star persona.
Thank you to Spencer Glesby for your help!
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I sent her flowers through the florist at Old Saybrook, CT, her hometown when she turned 90 years old and she sent me back a handwritten and signed “Thank You “note which I now have framed and hanging over my desk.
That is amazing
Awesome!
I would too, despite being “just a ‘thank you’” 😂😂😂😂
😊classy❤
"everything changed when the great depression attacked" Literally the last place i could imagine an Avatar reference
It's ever reaching, because it's great
@@kostajovanovic3711 changed, thanks!!!
I mean pretty much anyone under 40 KNOWS what that means so it’s ubiquitous.
I spat my tea
Me too! It was great!!!
Something I really love about your videos is that you recognize the privileges and advantages that allowed certain women and certain groups of women to succeed in the industry, but still never disregard their talent, worthiness, or skill. That's a great nuance that leads to really proactive discussions on women's roles in Hollywood!
I totally agree!
I love this about her videos. Perfectly said.
Exactly. Well said.
Ekie Hamiar what a great analysis you've given of this TH-camr's strengths. I couldn't have put it better myself and I am glad to see her getting the appreciation she deserves.
TOTALLY!
Katharine Hepburn not caring about press or awards but becomes the artist with the most number of Oscars.
Oh, she cared about the awards. She gloated to Jane Fonda after On Golden Pond that Fonda would never equal her Oscar wins. She was jealous of the praise heaped on Meryl Streep and called her overrated. When she and Lauren Bacall were both nominated for the 1970 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, she asked Bacall to accept the Tony on her behalf, assuming she, herself, would win. She apologized to Bacall the next day after Bacall won the award. Late in life she was asked why she never attended the awards when she was nominated. She said she didn’t go because she was afraid she’d lose. When she finally did go to the Oscar ceremony to present the Thalberg award to Lawrence Weingarten, she told the audience that she was “living proof that a person could wait 41 years to be unselfish.”
@@partycentralsales I mean she didn't care enough to actually show up. So as much as that may all be true, she wasn't playing the game. She wasn't doing backdoor deals or openly campaigning. She didn't show up in a designer dress. She didn't do interviews, she didn't plead, I think it's fair to say she didn't do anything she didn't totally want to do.
@@Aldrius Nope 100% WRONG…Katie Hepburn explained why she never showed up to any of the Nominated Films of Oscar to Dick Cavette Interviews…”Too Nervous” Katharine truly did care about awards and Oscar. She did Gloat to Betty Bacall (Tony Award That Katharine thought she would win, and called Betty to pick up the Tony for her, But Kathie Lost to Betty! Katharine’s knock to Meryl Streep was about all those Accents and slew of Oscar Nominations to All those Accent driven Roles. Katharine Hepburned Admired Glenn Close! Katie also liked Peter O’Toole (Recommended O’Toole to Great Friend Director David Lean for Lawrence of Arabia) Harrison Ford and Flipped for John Travolta…also liked Julie Roberts. Great Friendship with Betty Bacall for decades.
Deep down she admired Jane Fonda, but gave her Hell during the filming of On Golden Pond. Prickly Said Fonda of Hepburn.
Katharine Hepburn was Best Playing Katharine Hepburn, Lion in Winter, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, On Golden Pond, Adam’s Rib, even …Bringing Up Baby..Goofy Fun. I have always Admired Katharine Hepburn because Katie did what Katie wanted to do. Katharine Hepburn only showed up Once at a Academy Award (In Pants!) and Only The Producer, David Niven, and Lawrence Weingarten the recipient of the Irving Thalberg Award. It was her close personal friend Irene Mayer Selznick who convinced Katharine to sit down and talk to Dick Cavette, who has repeatedly said it was his Best Show!
Back when Only Men We’re Allowed on Golf Courses in Bel Air and Beverly Hills, Yes Katharine Hepburn wearing Pants, was allowed to play Golf, and Tennis ..knowing the people who ran those shows! Katharine never purchased a house in Los Angeles, she would rent A bungalow from her favorite Gay Friend Director George Cukor on his Massive Property for many Years. Where Spencer and Hepburn lived and where Spencer Died, 17 Days after shooting that Week Long Monologue in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
There are Stories after Stories that I am truly fascinated about Katharine Hepburn! To me..was the Best at Playing Katharine Hepburn!
@@sickheadache9903 Regardless of what motivated her, I think my point was that she didn't show up to every award's show wearing the latest designer gown. She didn't play their game, and I think that's half the reason they kept giving her awards.
@@Aldrius Or Great Performances…
It’s insane that she started in the thirties and her career stayed strong till the 70s
And, Meryl picked up the mantle. Interesting.
Till the 80s. She even won an Oscar for Best Actress for On Golden Pond(1981), which won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
its like meryl was successful when age 20 to 30 they were successful but a downfall came in the age of 40, and at late ages and bare in mind hollywood doesnt cast middle aged women they were again the most successful actors that year
@@callmej5337 my mistake
Wow even more impressive
@@ahyan6681 ? Meryl had quite few great roles after turning fourty!
Devil wears Pravda is say is in her top four performances
And Julie and Julia is wonderfully hilarious
I am bengali and Indian.. never been aware of old Hollywood in my life.. but your videos get me excited and intrigued about it... such good work.. kudos..
Some movies to start with, if you like - -
Casablanca
All About Eve
The Philadelphia Story
Strangers On A Train
The Seven - Year Itch
Hi, just a protest to make to TH-cam: they took off the option to put the subtitles in english. For people with hearing disabilities is a step back.
Your videos are great. Thank you for your hard work.
What? Why? The subtitles are a great feature for people with hearing disabilities and for those who are learning the language. That is definitely a step backwards !
@@marsukarhu9477 you misunderstood the comment
Oh this is why I've not seen any auto subtitles the last week on any new videos. I need subtitles in English since English is my 3rd language. Stupid Google.
@@illyblair How?
Absolutely agree - this is awful. The automated subtitles were some times unreliable, but they were infinitely preferable to none at all! 😣
Hepburn was, alongside Streep, probably the only actress still able to find award-worthy roles after the age of sixty (winning three of her four Oscars after sixty, and her last one at 74)
you forgot Frances McDormand
And Olivia Colman, and Judi Dench, and Maggie Smith and Julie Walters
@@lemorab1 Totally agree. I hope Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett keep getting great roles when they enter their 60's
Not to mention huge box Office success both had huge hits over 60
@@lemorab1 Olivia Colman is only 47!!
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was my favorite Hepburn movie. Spencer Tracy was terminal, and died shortly after filming. The tears in her eyes during the final scene where authentic. She loved that man. God, she was great.
I love that too. His speech about what love means is Spencer speaking to Kate. Gets me every time.
Sidney Poitier just passed away 😢
I didn't know that...thank you.
In your Q&A video you mentioned that you only dive into oscar years because they're an anchoring moment for talking about actresses in general. I'm glad you're branching out into other kinds of videos like this now to talk about actresses and movies!
Same here I love her analysis into actresses careers and legacies
I watched bringing up baby on april 22nd, since then I've seen 28 of her films and every interview I could find, I am I N S A N E L Y obssessed, and the timing of this is truly catering to me personally, god bless
Kinda cool to witness someone discovering Kate for the first time. Be sure and watch "Holiday" and "Lion in Winter" if you haven't already 😉
@@rhyfeddu Holiday is one of my absolute favorites! And definitely THE favorite out of the hepburn/grant pictures, and yes I've seen the lion in winter as well and enjoyed it
@@MariaLuisa-vv4ug You're on top of things then! lol I'm sure you've done Stage Door, another fav of mine... Christopher Strong? The storyline is uneven, but KH is fascinating to watch as the aviator and the tone is interesting from the woman director, Arzner. Plus early 30s fashion, yum. Have fun!
@@MariaLuisa-vv4ug PS... I think it's out of print, but you can find used, "The films of Katharine Hepburn" by Homer Dickens. It lists them all w photos, comments, and contemporary reviews. It's fun to check them off and add your own impressions/ratings as you go. 👍
Omg same! I became obsessed with her towards the end of April and am slowly watching all of her movies and interviews, and this video came out at the peak of my obsession. How did she know 👀
I love how there isn't really an actress (classical or contemporary) I can think of that was like Katherine. The phrase "one of a kind" is almost rote but feels spot on when talking about women like Hepburn.
Another amazing actress, one of my top five along with Hepburn, is Vanessa Redgrave
“Marriage and children didn’t interest her. In fact she hid and ignored the fact that she’d never been married and instead lived with her CONSTANT COMPANION and ROOMMATE Laura Harding.” 😂🤣🏳️🌈
She was married once when she was very young. It didn't work out but she and husband remained friends.
Subtle and great, wasn't it?
She was married to Ludlow Ogden Smith " Mother and Father adore Luddy".
William Mann, in his '06 biography "Kate," made the case not only was Hepburn bisexual, but leaning toward ladies more, she may actually have a more fluid gender identity as well, having adopted a male persona as a child. He also argues the Hepburn/Tracy romance was far more of a deep friendship, and that Tracy was also sexually fluid, but being deeply Catholic, it was a reason for his struggle with alcohol.
@@CPTDoom
She also apparently found the human nude to be offensive (almost as a phobia), and so if this is true we might have a clue as to why she was usually covered to the neck in clothing. Strange for one so apparently "free". Everybody has their "thing", I guess.
“So we can talk about her down the road” I love that! I don’t know about the rest of the viewers but I would love to hear about the second half of her career. Or even if it is in 3 parts- cause there is the 50’s-60’s and then the late 60’s- her death when her career peaked again. All with different narratives than this video.
Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, etc.
I was literally just thinking I want to learn more about Hepburn and then I see this video
I thought your insert of Kathryn Hanh's winking face was hilarious! Great work.
Me: I should study for my midterms
BKR: NO
A Winona Rider video?! ***SWOON***
Yes!
i was so excited to see you announce this topic on patreon! as someone who's just recently fallen into hepburn's filmography, i always love hearing your contextualization
I’ve always loved her persona. Such beauty she had.
Also her aura. It's so iconic
Aaarrrgghhhhhh, I am screaming. Thank for making a wonderful documentary about her. I love youuu❤️❤️❤️❤️😭
Thank you...I've always admired her and actually saw her live in CoCo when I was pre-teen...already a fan :)
infinitely jealous that you got to see that
She was a true American original, just like Bette Davis.
THIS IS. MY. MOMENT. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MY WHOLE LIFE AND I DIDNT KNOW. THANK YOUUUUUUU
My day always brights up when I get a notification of a new upload! :)
Can I ask why you won’t do Oscar win videos anymore ? Especially the Judy holiday win of 1950.. I would love to finally see the Gloria Swanson discussion
Truly I left Gloria Swanson should have won. I watched Sunset Boulevard once and I can't stop thinking about her character.
Thank god you finally made a Katharine Hepburn video, I have been suggesting this for over a year now, but also please make a video about Cate Blanchett, Kate's birthday was on the 12th and Cate's was yesterday, the 14th. It would be great if you make one and I have been suggesting it for over a year now, don't know if you notice them at all but please? Thank you.
I love this channel! So happy to see Film History come alive in front of me.
THE HEATHERS! Also one of your best videos thus far. I couldn’t agree more I never took the breakfast sequence in Women of the Year as an insult but as a relatable comedic scene about a woman trying to do something for someone she loves because she wants to do it. But oddly enough in my head I always imagined that if she attempted to make breakfast again she’d be better and each time. Tess would gradually get better at the task. Just like Kathrine and her persona, because if Kathrine taught me anything it was resilience and hard work will eventually pay off when you master a task and even if it takes others surrounding you some time to realize your talent, eventually they will realize. ❤️
I don't think I will ever watch these old movies, but I always watch your videos because you make it interesting. I'm very excited for 80s and 90s videos though since that was just before the time I fell in love with movies.
Please consider these as possible videos:
1) The 1950 Oscars: Judy Holliday wins for Born Yesterday.
2) Susan Hayward wins for I Want to Live!
3) Loretta Young wins for The Farmer's Daughter.
4) Jessica Tandy wins for Driving Miss Daisy.
5) An ode to Marilyn Monroe.
6) An ode to Dorothy Dandridge.
Anything "Old Hollywood" I'm down for. I love your videos in that area.
Katharine Hepburn girlbossed her way to get the career she deserved (mind you the context of the time)
also the yellowface 😭😭😭
The day she is topped for number of Oscars will be a sad day.
It had better be a worthy performer. She is the template.
@@js7dragon I don't think anyone will ever top her four oscar record, but I think Meryl Streep and Frances McDormand are worthy candidates to tie with her.
@@barbaraladouceur6305 I unfortunately think even if someone ties with her, I fear that in this generation, Kate will be put on the back burner and be forgotten.
Kate Winslet, if any. She’s still in her fourties.
@@TheRomanticFanatic But there's a distinct possibility that noone will ever even tie with her record and she'll remain supreme.
When I tell you I SQUEALED seeing that you uploaded a new video, and about Katherine Hepburn, no less. Such a huge fan of your stuff. 🥰
I’ve been inspired by Katharine Hepburn since my grandma introduced me to her when I was 13. I’ve read her autobiography at least 3 times (I recommend!!) and would have to say Woman of the Year, Bringing Up Baby, the Holiday, the Philadelphia Story (Cary Grant & Jimmy Stewart!!) are my favorite.
It was weird watching Adam’s Rib when I was older, understanding the themes it was discussing and thinking they were laughable nowadays- but I did love the dynamic Hepburn and Tracy had and how you could tell how much fun they were having working together.
One thing I learned most from her autobio is that she never whined because nothing good comes from it.
Thank you for capturing articulately what so many of us worship within Katharine Hepburn. She was one of the Golden Age stars to break new ground and emerge as a trailblazer within the industry. The joy she has given to many generations of fans is valuable. She is the perfect prototype for the intellectual actress. She gave her films an intelligence many of her peers couldn't.
Wish that she had at least mentioned my favorite KH movie, "Holiday." KH's politics shine in this movie, along with her athleticism
This was delightful! My favorite of the Hepburn / Tracy collaborations is Desk Set (because I think it largely avoids the pattern of trying to take her character down a peg). I also have particular fondness for Bringing Up Baby (for how chaotic she is in it) and The Lion in Winter (what a role-- she's clever and cruel and vulnerable, sometimes all at once).
I am obsessed w this channel right now. Such great work. Out of curiosity, how do you get such crisp renderings of these old film clips? Either way, keep up the nuance. I have been watching old films again because of you. Ultimately, good stories are good stories. But good stories with context, are infinitely better. Thanks for what you do.
Katharine Hepburn was one of the first actors and actresses that got me into classic film ☺️☺️ films like the Philadelphia Story, Adam's Rib, Stage Door, A Bill of Divorcement and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner really put me in awe of her talent and her life outside of film is just as extraordinary and what made her one of my favorite actresses of all time ☺️☺️ I just absolutely love this video ☺️☺️
I love these so much! I know TH-camrs probably hate getting comments like this, but honestly, I'd love to see you do an informational video on Mercedes de Acosta one day, who was a queer 19th century playwright, poet, etc. that was involved with a lot of the classic film stars you tend to discuss on this channel. Mercedes is very often overlooked and disregarded as some type of playboy-esque lesbian that "slept with the best of them", but I've come to realize a lot of the descriptions of Mercedes, even to this day, still tend to have so many traces of internalized homophobia, thus overshadowing a lot of the really neat aspects of her life and character. It'd be interesting to see a modern take on her from a popular channel - I think she's due for a lot of credit she was never really given (the punishment for being out and unashamed at the time). Highly recommend if you ever need another subject from this era!
Oh my god. I will be waiting for Stanwyck's video lol.
Could you do a video on Ruth Chatterton? I feel like her films were Hepburn-esque in their progressiveness but she’s forgotten
Nicely done! My mother (born 1920) raised me to be Kate Hepburn...my father raised me to not regard my gender (he was born 1921) and live my life! Yes they were very progressive..I was fortunate! And I did have a small business and a small but wonderful all mine...career!
First off, Thank You "Be Kind Rewind" for another first rate analysis. I am always thrilled when a new clip is available.
In her review of "The Lion in Winter", Pauline Kael raised some interesting points about the career paths of actresses like Katharine Hepburn. She basically said that actresses like Hepburn and Bette Davis were initially applauded for their individuality by critics and audiences. However, as their careers progressed, they were shunned for the exact same behavior that brought them early success. Audiences and critics demanded that actresses stop acting independent and become what women were (and are) expected to be: subservient and lovable. For the most part, Hepburn avoided this fate but Kael saw her performance in "The Lion in Winter" as Hepburn's caving to the public's demand that she become lovable. Kael felt that Bette Davis had succumbed to this lovable fate in 1961s "Pocketful of Miracles" almost being ejected from the theater she saw it in when she uttered an expletive when Davis said "God bless you" to Glenn Ford. Times have not changed. We still expect actresses to eventually become conventional.
I love me some Pauline Kael, but as great of a writer as she was, her opinions are sometimes, well, just that. In what way is Eleanor of Aquitaine "lovable"? She's harsh and manipulative, and the whole movie revolves around her and Henry using other people as pawns. I won't disagree with Kael's point that studios want women to be conventional, but I don't think Hepburn ever caved in.
I was enchanted by her in The Lion in Winter, that regal sharp-tongued role suited her majestically. The only other her film I saw, The African Queen, well, I guess it was a great vehicle for two not so young leads in the age of ageism? Perhaps playing an estranged independent matriarch as in The Lion she was at her best in comparison to spinster awakening love story developments?
Katharine Hepburn is the patron saint of WASPs everywhere. Like, if Norman and Ethel aren't *exactly* like Norman and Ethel, you're probably not a WASP.
Sorry, English isn't my first language, what does WASP stand for? Sorry for bothering 😂
@@Name-dl3uq White Anglo Saxon Protestant.
I miss the transatlantic accent. I don't hear it so much these days.
@@reikun86 ah I see, thank you ❤
@@Name-dl3uq You're welcome :)
As the #1 Kate fan in the world (well, maybe #2 after a Belgian girl who has an awesome collection of memorabilia related to Kate), I was really happy to see this video. I can't get enough of videos about Kate. More please!!!
I love Kathy. I fell for her after watching The Lion in Winter. Even though that movie is loaded with S ranked actors, she is so outstanding, you kind of get how the King hasn't got rid of her.
Great video. I watched lots of Kate's films when HBO Max launched last year. Woman of the Year, Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby, Without Love, Sea of Grass, Adam's Rib, Pat and Mike, Summertime 💜
Haven't finished the video yet but I must say, I first saw her in A Lion in Winter when I was a little kid as Eleanor of Aquitaine...and I fell in love!
Katharine would have been amazing as Joan of Arc. RKO had tried and failed to secure the rights to George Bernard Shaw’s play, Saint Joan, because they intended to cut the script. A technicolor screen test of Kate as Joan can be found on YT and its so easy to see the potential she had to play a role so suited to her talents. It took 14 more years to produce Joan of Arc, RKO finally releasing their version with Ingrid Bergman in the title role in 1948.
Omg I am so excited for the 80s/90s content!!!
"Muriel's Wedding" is my favorite "un-chick flick". Toni is phenomenal! I loved her in "Emma," where her sublime performance was a perfect Harriet Smith.
She utterly blew me away in "The Sixth Sense".
Toni Collette is a remarkable actress, and deserves recognition for her work.
Your videos keep getting better and better. I love this channel and always watch the day they come out. Thank you!
The true artists are those who focus on the work and find all their satisfaction in it. NOT in the accolades or awards. Kate understood that. And only a very small handful of those today do. Those are the ones to watch.
Please make a video about best actress 1951 where Judy Holliday won over Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis
Please please please
if BKR had a nickel for every time someone requsted she make a video on that year's oscar ceremony, she'd be the richest woman in the world!
I'm still fascinated that she never appeared to an academy award ceremony, but still one four times. They gave her that award knowing she's not coming and that in golden Hollywood era.
She appeared once, yrs later, to present only, I think...then quickly disappeared after she left the stage, having completed her part for the night (gleaned from A. Scott Berg's book on her life, which I read yrs ago).
This video is everything! Plus the Avatar reference, and! Agatha Harkness? *chef's kiss*
You do some great work. I'm a big fan!
My A1 Day 1. Truly one of the greatest.
Izzy I’m completely IN LOVE with your Chanel and I would love if you could make a video about Blanche and Stanley from a Streetcar named desire, mainly focusing on Vivien’s Oscar win for that role.
Excellent video! I love Ms. Hepburn and this put why into a sharp focus. Plus it gives me a few movies I need to see, so thank you again for the work you're doing. 🙂
this video dropped at just the right time for me to have dinner while watching, god bless... love me some great kate content
did not know her story as a person but I relate to her so much wow was not expecting to
BKR UPLOAD LETS GOOOOOO
I love love love Kate. "The Philadelphia Story" and "Bringing Up Baby" are my favourites. She was so great with Cary Grant. Please do videos about Mae West and Louise Brooks, two women ahead of their time.
Exceptional work, Karina! Please keep up the excellent work!
11:55 I've seen a lot of BKRs videos and I think this is the best comments they've ever said.
I loved her since watching bringing up baby some years ago
So good to see Hepburn and her films put into the context of evolving roles for women. "Pat and Mike" is another great example of that narrow path she often walked--one where a woman of extraordinary strength and bravery must ultimately, according to the ideals of the day, acquiesce to a man and the era's ideas of what a woman should and shouldn't do.
So intuitive to include the Dick Cavett interview; your vids are the BEST!
She is just...simply irresistible. As Macaulay Connor said: "There is a Magnificence" in her. Be Kind Rewind: You're Incredible!
God, your content is fire.
A new Be Kind Rewind video...Wait... is today is not my birthday?
Howard Hughes adored her, and when she left him he went into Meltdown for the rest of his days. Love is a peculiar thing. Greetings from London. Noel
Famously a Taurus!!!!!! (And so as the other Hepburn!!!!)!
Right, I’m gonna go see The Philadelphia Story for the millionth time
I am a big Katharine Hepburn fan.
Her and Audrey are some of the most remarkable women EVER!💜❤
Please so a introspective video of Goldie Hawn's acting and career🙏
This is THE CHANNEL
Spectacular video as usual!
Eve Arden is among my all-time faves! Voice, eyebrows, *presence*... Why she didn't rise to the top I don't understand. Would you please do a program about Hollywood and the perpetual sidekick?
Ahhh this is right up my street! Love it
I love your videos, I just love this actrices and how they lived in this industrie, hi from Mexico and congrats for this incredibles videos you made
You should do Hedy Lamarr! Her inventions lead to the development of Bluetooth technology! And she was a popular actress, promoted by MGM!
What a woman! The Great Kate.
Yes to the fire nation reference!
I'm not sure that Philadelphia Story supports the idea that the "bad endings" don't actually suppress The KH rebellion the way you propose. But I'm certainly looking forward to more of your KH videos down the road.
I'm still not clear on her relationship with Spencer. Please do a video with that info covered.
god i love this channel
She is one of my favorite actresses.
I love watching your videos!!!! Do you have any info about Gloria Grahame??
Her activism regarding reproductive rights hits differently now. And: "they didn't call it fascism; they painted it red, white, and blue and called it Americanism". Prophetic.
I love Hepburn.
It wasn’t “Woman of the Year”, that Katherine Hepburn owned the rights to and could choose her own co-stars, it was Philadelphia Story. Owning the rights was the leverage she used to insure she played Tracy Lord.
African Queen is on of my all time favorites.
as a closeted bi teen I was OBSESSED with Kate. ok, i still have an entire shelf dedicated to her. and i'm finally over the fact that bryn mawr rejected my application lol
6:22 Is that supposed to be "in no _small_ part" ?