Μύ After a string of flops, Katharine Hepburn made her screen comeback with the "masterful" romantic comedy The Philadelphia Story (1940). She stars alongside fellow icons Cary Grant and James Stewart as a stubborn socialite who listens more to her head than her heart. The AFI named it among the Top 100 American Movies of all time and it remains a favourite among movie buffs. Now comes this digitally re-mastered print on two-disc Special Edition DVD.
The Road To Philadelphia
Late great director George Cukor was the man behind this classic film and also had a hand in creating the legend of the recently departed Katharine Hepburn. In a fascinating, hour-long documentary about Cukor (narrated by Sydney Pollack), it's revealed that he purchased the rights to the Philip Barry play especially for her. He gave the gangly actress her start in Hollywood and hoped audiences would rediscover her charm after serial miscasting put her career on the skids.
Cukor speaks for himself in reams of archived footage, explaining that when he cast Hepburn in her first film (A Bill Of Divorcement, 1932), "She had clumsiness, but it was a wonderful part and she made an enormous impression." Like his leading lady, Cary Grant starred in several of Cukor's films. The director explains that he was unique because "He developed a style of comedy with this dash, dapper thing." But far from being vain, he notes of Grant, "He wasn't narcissistic and that made him all the more appealing." Cukor talks more in what is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand experience of working in Golden Age Hollywood.
The Katharine Hepburn Story
One thing Cukor doesn't talk about is getting the boot from Gone With The Wind thanks to Clark Gable's whinging. However, it draws a neat parallel with All About Me a scintillating documentary on Katharine Hepburn by Katharine Hepburn. She explains that when Cukor bought her the screen rights for The Philadelphia Story, she wanted Spencer Tracy and Clark Gable to co-star. Obviously, that didn't come to pass for reasons we can only speculate on...
Here, an elderly Hepburn proves to be as whip-smart as she ever was and a brilliant raconteur who doesn't shy away from the truth. As she guides us through her remarkable life, she admits that success came because, "I was selfish to the end!" She later says that, "I always expected to be famous... I'm full of myself." She's surprisingly candid about her relationships too, talking about billionaire Howard Hughes and sometime co-star Spencer Tracy who was married for the duration of their 27-year love affair. "We were invisible in all the right places and the gossip columnists left us alone," she says. Using home videos, old photos, and revisiting old haunts, Hepburn offers a compelling and colourful self-portrait.
Postcards From The Past
Academic Jeannine Basinger gives an edifying commentary that deconstructs the film as well as throwing in a few juicy behind-the-scenes titbits. Apparently Cary Grant demanded top billing over Hepburn and a $100,000 salary - a huge amount back in 1940. However, as it turns out, Grant donated all the money to the fund for British War Relief. Whatta guy!
An unusual and thoughtful addition to the package are two radio performances of The Philadelphia Story headlined by Grant, Hepburn and Stewart, which were recorded before live studio audiences. Topping off the 40s ambience are a vintage comedy short, starring the renowned humorist Robert Benchley and a classic MGM cartoon - both originally screened before the main feature. Although James Stewart gets left by the wayside, this DVD offers a gripping selection of extras. Particularly for Hepburn fans, it's essential viewing.
EXTRA FEATURES
