"Keeper of the Flame", the 1942 George Cukor movie was shown recently on cable. The screen play is by Donald Ogden Stewart, one of the best writers working in movies at the time. This somber film holds our interest because of Mr. Cukor's excellence as a director. The film was also the second film that Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn did together.
The great Robert Forrester, a man that is considered a patriot, has died. We are taken at the beginning of the film to witness his funeral during a rainy spell. It appears how much the death of this man has touched the people, as we see lining the streets of the small town where he lived.
Steven O'Malley, a news correspondent comes into town to report about it. He is a distinguished journalist that wants to get a first hand view of what was behind the accident that caused the death. He wants to meet the widow, the enigmatic Christine Forrest, who at first is reluctant to cooperate, but who is one of the keys to solving the mystery.
Fascism, was one of the themes that preoccupied Hollywood before and during WWII. The figure of Robert Forrest seemed to be modeled after Charles Lindberg. Both men's lives appear to have shared a common interest in their admiration for all the things that were happening in Germany during that period. It was obvious that O'Malley will get in waters about his head as he investigates, but the awful truth emerges, and it's not pretty.
Spencer Tracy proves why he was one of the best actors in movies during that period this movie was done. He worked effortlessly in front of the camera, yet, his interpretation of O'Malley comes as one of the best things he ever played. Katherine Hepburn, in a subdued performance, is also an equal match for Mr. Tracy. Her Christine Forrester was also one of her best appearances.
The supporting players, Richard Whorf, the excellent Margaret Wycherly, Forrest Tucker, Audrey Christie, and Darryl Hickman, among them, contribute to make this movie better.
The great Robert Forrester, a man that is considered a patriot, has died. We are taken at the beginning of the film to witness his funeral during a rainy spell. It appears how much the death of this man has touched the people, as we see lining the streets of the small town where he lived.
Steven O'Malley, a news correspondent comes into town to report about it. He is a distinguished journalist that wants to get a first hand view of what was behind the accident that caused the death. He wants to meet the widow, the enigmatic Christine Forrest, who at first is reluctant to cooperate, but who is one of the keys to solving the mystery.
Fascism, was one of the themes that preoccupied Hollywood before and during WWII. The figure of Robert Forrest seemed to be modeled after Charles Lindberg. Both men's lives appear to have shared a common interest in their admiration for all the things that were happening in Germany during that period. It was obvious that O'Malley will get in waters about his head as he investigates, but the awful truth emerges, and it's not pretty.
Spencer Tracy proves why he was one of the best actors in movies during that period this movie was done. He worked effortlessly in front of the camera, yet, his interpretation of O'Malley comes as one of the best things he ever played. Katherine Hepburn, in a subdued performance, is also an equal match for Mr. Tracy. Her Christine Forrester was also one of her best appearances.
The supporting players, Richard Whorf, the excellent Margaret Wycherly, Forrest Tucker, Audrey Christie, and Darryl Hickman, among them, contribute to make this movie better.