tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post7898991372330647010..comments2023-11-24T07:20:02.991-05:00Comments on Classic Movies Digest: Katharine Hepburn starring in “Box Office Poison”Ruperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15526556689348727001noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-80040950265625308442013-01-18T04:23:01.244-05:002013-01-18T04:23:01.244-05:00Supposedly Louis B. Mayer attended the play of &qu...Supposedly Louis B. Mayer attended the play of "Philadelphia Story" with Norma Shearer on his arm, and Hepburn worried he hoped to buy the play for her, but he had no such intention, and it's not known if Norma was the least interested herself.<br /><br />At that time, in fact, Norma was just embarking on an intense two-year love affair with George Raft, the most significant of the few liaisons between her two marriages and, unusual for Norma, she'd lowered the flame on her career ambitions.dvlarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14154934310323584284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-7189470911591348122010-07-05T21:26:00.004-04:002010-07-05T21:26:00.004-04:00Very informative, great article!
I've never r...Very informative, great article!<br /><br />I've never really gotten the attraction to Katharine Hepburn. It's probably my fault. :) <br /><br />I suppose she was good in The Philadelphia Story... But that movie would've been fantastic with or without her, in my opinion.<br /><br />Oh, come to think of it, I enjoyed her in Rooster Cogburn... But I don't know how on-topic that is. 1975 wasn't exactly her prime.Sir Lukehttp://www.stayclassicfilm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-89411626652507680482010-06-05T07:14:21.073-04:002010-06-05T07:14:21.073-04:00D.B: Whoever said that one had to "get"...D.B: Whoever said that one had to "get" something others liked? Sometimes we just have to be content with not liking an otherwise beloved film. :) It's not that I don't "get" *Audrey* Hepburn, it's just that I don't care for her style. However, I do see what it is that others find charming; it's just not for me.<br /><br />BTW, I'm in the midst of reviewing several Kate Hepburn performances and the most recent is Dragon Seed:<br /><br /><a href="http://hollywooddreamland.blogspot.com/2010/05/katharine-hepburn-dragon-seed-1944.html" rel="nofollow">Katharine Hepburn: Dragon Seed</a>Abe Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13991534345391655980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-31085153700070287912010-06-04T22:15:15.997-04:002010-06-04T22:15:15.997-04:00A lot of people didn't get "Bringing Up B...A lot of people didn't get "Bringing Up Baby" when it was released in 1938. It was a flop and most people found Hepburn annoying, and that was kind. Bosley Crowther, the reviewer at the New York Times, laid all the blame on Kate. He had nothing bad to say about Grant.<br /><br />But I must say, there are a lot of great character performances in that film. The sheriff is hysterical, in my opinion, as is May Robson as Aunt Susan.http://classicmovieman.blogspot.com/Stephen Reginaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17050782148081105899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-18598412389179574872010-06-04T19:30:21.891-04:002010-06-04T19:30:21.891-04:00Can you imagine Kate as Scarlet O'Hara?! Like...Can you imagine Kate as Scarlet O'Hara?! Like the majority, I enjoy Kate but the films........... I would love to hear more of your thoughts about Bringing Up Baby.....I don't get it either.D.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02012190421578654870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-57829787082661890632010-06-02T17:50:24.388-04:002010-06-02T17:50:24.388-04:00Great posting, Rupert - I love watching Hepburn...Great posting, Rupert - I love watching Hepburn's movies and find it amazing she was ever considered box office poison. I hadn't realised 'A Bill of Divorcement' was her debut - that's one I'm hoping to watch very soon, and I look forward to seeing Kate and Barrymore together!Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-15020261077660794202010-05-27T13:08:49.525-04:002010-05-27T13:08:49.525-04:00Rupert, a great summation of the first stage (and ...Rupert, a great summation of the first stage (and beginning of the second stage) of the great Kate's film career. I'm wondering if you'll follow it up. Did you notice the anachronism in "The Aviator" when she tells Howard Hughes "I'm considered box office poison, you know" several years before that notorious poll of theater owners was even conducted? Everyone has their own likes and dislikes among these early films, but everyone seems to agree that no matter how they feel about the movie, Kate is always wonderful--putting everything she had into the role and always staying true to herself no matter what type she played.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-27431512014082857852010-05-26T00:11:37.004-04:002010-05-26T00:11:37.004-04:00Another tremendous post Rupert. Thanks. I personal...Another tremendous post Rupert. Thanks. I personally think that it was Ms. Hepburn's great intelligence and taste that placed her at odds with the public. Most people are threatened by quality brains (especially in women) and they fail to appreciate the talent as a result. That many of Ms. Hepburn's flops are now considered classics is not due to the opinions of average movie fans - most of which still don't get her. I hope you will review Quality Street here one day. Its one of the most overlooked of her films but in my opinion one of her most beautiful films.<br /><br />KBRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-57907802985632805752010-05-25T20:45:50.105-04:002010-05-25T20:45:50.105-04:00It is hard to believe that there was a time Hepbur...It is hard to believe that there was a time Hepburn was considered box office poison. And given the fact that many of the flops she made are now classics, I think she was just a victim of bad luck. That having been said, I have to agree with Selznick that Hepburn was not suited for Scarlett O'Hara, but for a very different reason. With her overly strong, Yankee accent I don't think she could have pulled off a Southern accent (indeed, I can't think of many films she did in which didn't have that accent). Odd as it may seem, I think Englishmen (like Vivien Leigh) can actually do a convincing Southern accent than any Yankee!Terence Towles Canotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397088843628331615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-87054547596553278452010-05-25T18:07:54.235-04:002010-05-25T18:07:54.235-04:00It is always amazing how many wonderful movies wer...It is always amazing how many wonderful movies were flops until they received recognition years later. Same with Katharine Hepburn. I'm glad classic film has so many fans now so that these films and actors like Hepburn receive the enthusiastic appreciation they deserve. Great article, Rupert.ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-45614075566944351752010-05-25T10:30:19.235-04:002010-05-25T10:30:19.235-04:00I've never considered Miss Hepburn to be of he...I've never considered Miss Hepburn to be of her time. Rupert, you were smart to cite Ginger Rodgers, here; I consider Rodgers to be a "thirties" actress. To me Hepburn was so independent and forward-thinking that it was natural that her appeal would be greater to today's audiences than to those of her day.zippychikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06965056129449792062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-70327580041923695322010-05-25T10:15:10.856-04:002010-05-25T10:15:10.856-04:00Great post, Rupert. My admiration of Ms. Hepburn e...Great post, Rupert. My admiration of Ms. Hepburn extends beyond the screen to her attitude and independent lifestyle in general. Without standing on a soapbox, but by mere example, she was a true champion of women's rights, and individuality. I don't think she felt the need to apologize for anything.pjowens75https://www.blogger.com/profile/09635922968646136515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-74244525608558398192010-05-24T22:48:52.618-04:002010-05-24T22:48:52.618-04:00The ad campaign for HOLIDAY included a slogan that...The ad campaign for HOLIDAY included a slogan that asked "Is It True What They Say About Katharine Hepburn?” in an attempt to use the box office poison tag for its own benefit! <br /><br />Good overview of Kate's time under fire.Abe Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13991534345391655980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-49963128891779701502010-05-24T21:54:35.619-04:002010-05-24T21:54:35.619-04:00Excellent! Great job! Nice to read this concise pa...Excellent! Great job! Nice to read this concise paean to Kate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-21280631486557499762010-05-24T21:34:57.311-04:002010-05-24T21:34:57.311-04:00Great post Rupert. It is very strange that Kate wa...Great post Rupert. It is very strange that Kate was labeled box office poison despite some of the films being now regarded as classics. But once Philadlephia Story came, she was pretty much unstoppable, especially with a gent named Tracy. I enjoyed reading this wonderful post by you Rupert. Well done.montyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357464302627055092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-44008898677703640912010-05-24T21:13:58.915-04:002010-05-24T21:13:58.915-04:00Brilliant, as always, Rupert. I really have never...Brilliant, as always, Rupert. I really have never been a huge Hepburn fan...although I really DO recognize her brilliance. Perhaps I, too, am one of those turned off by the aloofness and "untouchableness" she exuded on and off the screen. Obviously there was something not so untouchable in her, since she and Spencer Tracy were so much in love and for so long.<br /><br />THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is one of my favorite movies...mainly for Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant...but her interactions on screen with them were SO good.<br /><br />I agree with Lesley Ann...IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a prime example of that!Miss Melliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05342147515071501737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-82529678196613021592010-05-24T19:11:47.946-04:002010-05-24T19:11:47.946-04:00As usual, wonderfully done. Hepburn was kind enou...As usual, wonderfully done. Hepburn was kind enough to write me a letter many years ago. It's framed and on my wall. Many times, I'll be watching her, with her tenacity, and go, "Mom! You're on television again!:Mickeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-34494432491130276422010-05-24T19:03:31.070-04:002010-05-24T19:03:31.070-04:00I read an article about Heburn's comeback with...I read an article about Heburn's comeback with "The Philadelphia Story." The author thought, that Hepburn, through the Tracy Lord character was apologizing for what irritated the public most about her. Her aloofness, her cold demeanor, her voice, and so on. The conclusion was, she apologized for being unlikeable and then the public forgave her and liked her again.Stephen Reginaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17050782148081105899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-40620872671795897022010-05-24T18:57:36.513-04:002010-05-24T18:57:36.513-04:00Great blog Rupert! Kate is one of my favorites. I ...Great blog Rupert! Kate is one of my favorites. I actually like Holiday more then Bringing Up Baby. I don't dislike Bringing Up Baby but it is not one of my all time favorites of hers. I loved her in Stage Door. Thank you for another wonderful entry to classic heaven. :)ClassicJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084603957211826254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-25862621721306746992010-05-24T17:05:11.992-04:002010-05-24T17:05:11.992-04:00Thank you Rupert for another wonderful article.
...Thank you Rupert for another wonderful article. <br /><br />I do disagree with you on "Bringing Up Baby" , this is the film that sparked my interest in Ms Hepburn (we will agree to disagree?)Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11310523423143719934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-81536505054227351062010-05-24T17:03:21.236-04:002010-05-24T17:03:21.236-04:00It is rather interesting to me that Ms. Hepburn (w...It is rather interesting to me that Ms. Hepburn (who lived not far from me in CT, and has myriad tales/gossip about her) is one of my favorite actresses - and yet, there are actually not that many of her films I really like. I always see her talent and her quality of incandescence when she's onscreen. But, damn, some of those movies are real stinkers!<br /><br />Frankly, it's the way I feel about Meryl Streep. Like Hepburn, I'm always impressed and enjoy her performances - the films not so much.<br /><br />Great article, Rupert. <br /><br />Worth the wait. ;)Tristan Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372571059339403974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-833161426229360042.post-23833374603395563812010-05-24T16:53:49.527-04:002010-05-24T16:53:49.527-04:00Isn't strange how a "flop" becomes a...Isn't strange how a "flop" becomes a "classic"?<br />I think Kate was smart to buy out her contract. I think it gave her time to think and clear her head. <br />Once she did that, she could see that THE PHILADELPHIA STORY was a smart choice.Lesley Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16616133721270536327noreply@blogger.com