Movies…with a little bit of obscure culture and sports mixed in
“Journalist Steve O’Malley wants to write a biography of a national hero who died when his car ran off a bridge. Steve receives conflicting reports and tales that make him […]
“Journalist Steve O’Malley wants to write a biography of a national hero who died when his car ran off a bridge. Steve receives conflicting reports and tales that make him question what the truth about the hero is.”
Director: George Cukor
Writers: I.A.R. Wylie, Donald Ogden Stewart
Staring: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Whorf, Margaret Wycherly
Release Date: December 1942
IMDB
There is something to be said for an old movie. An old, conventional, black & white drama. Keeper Of The Flame (1942) is a journalist story wrapped in a romantic drama tinted with a hint of political undertone. The story stars the talents of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, two absolute legends of the industry. The pair starred in nine movies together, and Keeper Of The Flame was their second experiment together.. Reception of Keeper Of The Flame was timid at the time, but as time passed the criticisms of the movie fell to more forgiving eyes.
Robert Forrest was an American icon. A man who had military accolades, social appreciation, and political aspirations. A friend to a few and a hero to many, Forrest was the real life super hero for United States citizens. It is a shock to the system, and the country, when Forrest dies in a freak car accident on his own estate during an unexpected rain storm. As the nation mourns his death, all of America’s most prominent news reporters descent upon Forrest’s hometown to try and get the story.
Among those looking at the events is Steven O’Malley (Spencer Tracy), a heralded war reporter who has returned to the front lines. O’Malley wants to discuss the death of Robert with his wife, Christine (Katharine Hepburn), as does every other report looking for a scoop. After being turned down the conventional way, O’Malley uses his charisma and savvy to eventually meet Christine, and from there he establishes a relationship that simmers over time. O’Malley navigates various half-truths and begins to suspect that everything happening on the Forrest estate is with an shadowed motive. Robert’s old aide Clive Kerndon (Richard Whorf) is constantly being mischievous, and the secrecy surrounding Robert’s mother (Margaret Wycherly) only adds to the idea of a hidden truth.
Keeper Of The Flame follows O’Malley as he discovers more about the Forrest family, the relationship between Robert and Christine, and the oddities regarding the most infamous car crash in the nation.
Like any old movie, it is hard not to fall in love with the writing. It is brisk, snappy and every line has a little bit of something to chew on. When O’Malley reconnects with old work friend/love interest Audrey Christie (Jane Harding), the sparks are flying. It is a frenemies relationship that is mainly one-sided and filled with adoration. Tracy and Harding have great chemistry and it stems a lot from the fact that Tracy’s demeanor is quiet and observing, but Harding is jumpy and talkative.
Perhaps the biggest question mark about Keeper Of The Flame surrounds Katharine Hepburn. The character of Christine is holding numerous secrets about herself, her newly deceased husband, her secluded mother-in-law, and her extended family. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders, and she is conflicted on how to shrug it off. Does she take all the secrets into isolation and never appear as a public figure again? Or does she share them with O’Malley for his feature? Watching Keeper Of The Fame and the part of Christine unfold, one gets the sense that the character limits what Hepburn can do, and therefore limits the chemistry between her and everyone.
While Hepburn has to work through the idea of hold secrets in her head, we get to see Tracy act out the process of acquiring the forbidden knowledge. It is naturally more fun to watch someone investigate a puzzle and put the pieces together. That is what any good detective or investigative journalism story pinpoints. O’Malley is good at asking the questions, but he is better at being in the right place at the right time. This is a skill within itself; to know where to be and who to talk to. O’Malley uses his quiet nature, and worthy reputation to open doors that are thought to be closed.
Despite the movie being from 1942, I don’t want to spoil Keeper Of The Flame because the fun is in its mystery. It is frankly the opposite of Charade (1963) where the chemistry of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn overshadow the plot. While there are famous actors showcasing their skill in Keeper Of The Flame, the synergy is more of a simmering pile of ash compared to a bonfire. You will still be warm watching it and you could still toast some marshmallows over its high points, but it is just going to take a little bit more work to get the most rewarding result.
And just to end my thoughts on Keeper Of The Flame on a fun note, director George Cukor had a hell of a career. In my research I found out this gentleman is a five-time Oscar nominee, and his crowning achievement in his decade long career must be winning the Best Directing award for My Fair Lady (1965). There was a lot of talent behind Keeper Of The Flame. Perhaps they all weren’t working at the top of their game, but these talent’s “C” game is still worth watching.
STANKO RATING: B
Stanko Excel Lists | Movies, Books, Podcasts. TV Shows
Stanko Letterdbox Account
I’m terribly sorry, but Denise Richards drains the swamp with her role in The World Is Not Enough.
Quantum Of Solace is beyond a stepdown from Craig’s debut film, Casino Royale.
Perhaps that’s too much information? Ah, who cares. This is what it is.
Stanko's Stance 