The 8 Katharine Hepburn Movies That Defined Her Career

At the end of her career, Katharine Hepburn Was considered one of the finest actresses Hollywood has ever seen, but this is not the case her whole life. For many years, Hepburn had to fight to be taken seriously at the box office and be recognized for her significant contributions to film. However, as soon as producers and studios began to realize that she was a star, Hepburn was cast in some of the best movies of the 20th century. In a career spanning decades and involving many amazing creative collaborators, Hepburn has a filmography that will never be forgotten.

Whether these movies singled out during awards season or made a significant cultural impact, They are the projects that propelled Hepburn forward in her career And people remember to this day. Many of Katharine Hepburn's best movies were instrumental in making her the performer she became. However, there are also underrated classics that informed the roles she was cast in and changed the public's perception of her. Today, Hepburn retains an iconic legacy and is considered an influential part of cinematic history.

8

Little Women (1933)

Like Jo March

There have been many adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little women, And one of the earliest stars Hepburn as the iconic protagonist, Jo March. While recent iterations of the story have leaned into Jo's tomboy nature more fully, the 1933 Little women is of its time in many ways. This is a more romantic take on the story than the last film version, the 2019 project of Greta Gerwig, starting Saoirse Ronan. However, Hepburn's portrayal of Jo still has recognizable modern elements.

The director, George Cukor, would be a frequent collaborator with Hepburn And cast her in many of the movies that would advance her career significantly. Starring in a movie like Little women was a smart move for Hepburn, as the novel was universally beloved and connected with many audiences. Moreover, the film premiered only a year after Hepburn's onscreen debut in A bill of divorceAfter her success in the theater. This made Little women One of Hepburn's important early works.

7

Bring Up Baby (1938)

Like Susan Vance

Although underrated at the time of its release, Bring up baby Considered one of the best romantic comedies of all time, Thanks in large part to Hepburn and Cary Grant. While Hepburn was a force of nature on her own, her chemistry with costars was something that set her apart from other performers, and her dynamic with Grant was incredible. The slapstick humor and unusual premise made the perfect backdrop for the witty banter that sparked between Grant and Hepburn.

In terms of career advancement, Bring up baby Hepburn didn't help at all because the film was such a bomb. However, its legacy is what makes it important in Hepburn's work. It is always gratifying when a movie is reevaluated and comes to be viewed as influential, and Bring up baby It deserved more than all of Hepburn's other works. When watching Bring up baby today, It rivals most modern rom-coms, as the projects attempt to capture the spirit of the 1938 film.

6

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Like Tracy Lord

Hepburn, Grant and Jimmy Stewart make up the mixed trio The Philadelphia StoryThe most successful film of Hepburn's career up to that point. At first, a Broadway play, Hepburn originated the role of Tracy on stage in The Philadelphia Story, And the screen version of the story proved to be just as engaging for audiences. The film was so popular that it would later be remade into the movie musical High society in 1956, starring Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

There was a period during her early years when Hepburn was considered box office poison, And she wasn't taken seriously as an actress (like BFI). While this slowly began to wear off as she took on better projects throughout the late 1930s, The Philadelphia Story was such a smash hit that no one would ever question Hepburn's draw at the box office again. Earning Hepburn a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars and Stewart winning Best Actor, The Philadelphia Story was a turning point for Hepburn.

5

Woman of the Year (1942)

Like Tess Harding

Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were one of the best movie acting duos of Hollywood's Golden Age, and their first collaboration was in the 1942 rom-com Woman of the year cemented them as a remarkable couple. Since Hepburn was committed to voicing her social and political views throughout her career, she typically chose roles that allowed her to play strong and independent women. Woman of the year is remarkably ahead of its time in terms of gender politics and sees her clashing leads come to the conclusion that they must have an equal partnership rather than fulfilling traditional gender roles.

Although the off-screen relationship between Hepburn and Tracy sparked many rumors, their on-screen chemistry and undeniable dynamic cannot be denied. This is what caught the attention of the audience Woman of the year And is part of why it is so fondly remembered today. Once again nominated for Best Actress, Hepburn is at her wittiest And delivers her dialogue at a mile a minute, but is matched by Tracy at every turn. Woman of the year Marks the beginning of their amazing partnership in film.

4

The African Queen (1951)

Like Rose Sayer

Based on the novel by CS Foster, The African queen Together two of the best actors of their generation, Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Although Bogart was best known for his film noir movies, he is excellent in this film. Their characters make an unlikely pair, but their chemistry and budding romance are believable, thanks to the work of the veteran performers. They are the only two characters for the majority of the film, and although other actors could have backed down under the pressure, especially considering the action and adventure elements of the project, the couple never did.

Although Bogart and Hepburn were not at the end of their careers by any means, witnessing a love story between two slightly older characters in the early 1950s was ahead of its time. It is a fondly remembered project and was instrumental in bridging the gap between the different phases of Hepburn's career. Although she is no longer playing the ingénue, Hepburn would remain in the spotlight and demonstrate how many great roles there are for women in middle age and beyond, Start with The African queen.

3

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Like Violet "Like" Venable

Ann Elizabeth Taylor, fresh off her career-making performance in Cat on a hot tin roofProves to be a worthy scene partner for Hepburn in Suddenly, last summerThe tragic film based on the Tennessee Williams play of the same name. Although the movie received mixed reviews, it is almost universally agreed that Hepburn and Taylor are the best parts of the project. There is a reason that they would be cast in this project, because Hepburn has roots in the theater, and Taylor starred in another adaptation of Williams' work.

Hepburn was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Wi, as Taylor for playing Cathy. Despite the lukewarm critical reception, Suddenly, last summer was a success in theaters and demonstrated that Hepburn's star was far from fading. Moreover, the role of Wi was a new type of character for Hepburn, who rarely played villains. Her portrayal of Wei was both terrifying and sad. Although the plot of Suddenly, last summer It doesn't provide a happy ending, it gives Hepburn and Taylor a lot to work with.

2

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Like Christina Drayton

Guess who's coming to dinner is far from a perfect film, as it would have been a border home at the time; The movie's depiction of racial politics is well-meaning but dated by today's standards. however, One part of the film that cannot be faulted is the cast, as Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Sidney Poitier make up the ensemble, And their performances are all spell-binding. Guess who's coming to dinner Not always talk about the complex issue of interracial relationships during this period with perfect eloquence. However, it was a high-profile project to tackle such important topics.

Another reason Guess who's coming to dinner It was impressive for Hepburn because it was the last film she and Tracy would collaborate on, as he died a few weeks after the movie wrapped. Hepburn won Best Actress at the Oscars for Guess who's coming to dinnerOne of the four total Academy Awards She would get in her life. Although this was not the first time Hepburn starred in a project with a political message, it was one of the most important.

1

On Golden Pond (1981)

Like Ethel Thayer

Hepburn's love of the stage followed her through the later parts of her career, As she would star in many film adaptations of classic plays, viz On Golden Pond. Co-starring with Henry Fonda and Jane Fonda, playing father and daughter in the movie, mirroring their relationship in real life. A sentimental tale about growing old and coming to terms with the fleeting but beautiful nature of life, On Golden Pond Shows the two aging stars, Fonda and Hepburn, just as skilled and full of vigor as they were at the beginning of their careers.

however, They are also seasoned by age and wisdom, making their performances all the more believable. A success both at the box office and with critics, On Golden Pond Was nominated for several Academy Awards. On Golden Pond But Hepburn saw her last Oscar Hepburn tied with Barbra Streisand at the Oscars for The lion in winter Before that. Hepburn Turn in On Golden Pond was one of the last few films of her career and is an excellent way to remember her irreplaceable talent.