*the script does not include the mention of visuals (clips form the films, interviews) that will be included in actual video podcast*
THE SCRIPT
INTRODUCTION
Katharine Hepburn is one the most accomplished actors of all time. Till this day no one has ever won more Academy Awards for acting than Miss Hepburn did; she won them 4 times; all of them for a lead role. While Katharine remains a very popular figure among actors, film directors and film lovers; her legacy seems neglected by a young generation. If you'd say to an average teenager or young adult just simple 'Hepburn' it is likely that they will think immediately about 'Audrey'; while Audrey Hepburn is icon on her own; a sex symbol of her times next to Marilyn Monroe; Katharine is the one who is very often described as one of the greatest actors of all time. This episode of Divas of Golden Age of Hollywood will aim to bring awareness; especially to a young audience about the legacy of Katharine Hepburn; her early life; the importance of the roles that she has taken; and how those affected the society; sometimes causing lots of controversy.
EARLY LIFE OF KATHARINE HEPBURN
To begin with; let's focus on early life of Katharine and how she got into acting. Katharine Hepburn was born into a very liberal couple; her father was a urologist who sought to educate the public about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; her mother was a suffrage activist; so since the very beginning she was being taught about sex equality. (Biography.com Editors, 2014). After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in 1928, she began her career in earnest. Under the name of Katharine Burns, she made her Broadway debut in Night Hostess the following year. The Warrior's Husband (1932), a comedy set in the land of the Amazons, was Hepburn's first significant Broadway triumph. RKO Radio Pictures invited her to Hollywood shortly after that. she had a strong film debut in George Cukor's A Bill of Divorcement (1932), a drama co-starring John Barrymore. Hepburn was next cast in Dorothy Arzner's Christopher Strong as an aviator (1933). With just her third film ever Morning Glory (1933) she won her first Oscar. In the document called 'Hollywood the Golden Years: the RKO Story' Hepburn describes how badly she wanted to get that role.
LATE CAREER
Since Morning Glory; Katharine was already predicted to become one of the greatest stars of Hollywood. Since her name was already established in the industry; Katharine could take the parts that she really felt as an artist that speaks for her and she wasn't afraid of taking risky roles. The first controversial role that she has taken was Sylvia Scarlett (1935); in the film she plays a titled Sylvia who have to become Sylvester; to protect her father; which decided to run away from France to England; because of his gambling problems. With this role Katharine broke gender norms; in 30s she played a man; at the time this role could be very damaging for her image; yet Katharine was not afraid of the challenges, so she took the role anyway. Also the film contains a scene of Katharine kissing another actress; which is one of the first lesbian kiss showed in films.
SYLVIA SCARLETT [GENDER NORMS]
From Sylvia Scarlett there were many other roles that were considered risky or even controversial; one of them was Adam's Rib (1949); in which she played the character of a strong woman, a lawyer, who fights for the woman rights and fairness. Katharine Hepburn with that role payed homage to all the ambitious women; who tried to be taken seriously by the society. She played a role of a lawyer who believed in equality and at the very end of it she won her case; letting everybody know that she has the guts to fight against anyone; even against a man of same profession.
THE AFRICAN QUEEN
3 years later; Katharine took a role of Rose Sayer in African Queen (1951) starring with Humphrey Bogart. Rose at first seemed like very weak person; who was dependable on her brother; she was a sister of missionary and after brother's death; She is trying to escape the Africa with the help of a drunk sailor; Charlie Allnut; the couple falls in love with each other; and both of them have positive impact to one another. Rose became very brave; fearless in fact; and Mr Allnut decided to quit drinking alcohol; Throughout the film Rose is proving that she is a strong character; she repairs the engine of their boat; and seems less afraid of restless water that the Sailor himself. Till this day; people jokingly call Rose Sayer a female version of Rambo.
GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
30 years after Katharine won her first Oscar for Morning Glory; she has won her second one for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967). It was probably the most controversial film of Katharine's; because it told the story of interracial couple as a true product of love; and something that is true and should be treasured. At the time of its release in many states of America interracial couples were still illegal. Shortly after film hit the movie theaters, actually a part of them; because many movie theaters banned the production and refused to display it; film cast started to receive death threats. The film had enormous impact on the cinema; it was a risky production; but it definitely opened doors for actors of colour to be taken more seriously in a profession.
THE LION IN WINTER
Her third Oscar was given to her for her role of Eleanor of Aquitaine in Lion in Winter (1968). The chemistry of love and hatred between Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole was simply amazing. The character of Eleanor was at the same time strong and weak; she wasn't afraid to show her weakness; but maybe this made her even stronger as a character. Katharine's third Oscar till this day remains legendary or some might say iconic; because that year the Oscar for Best Actress actually went to both Katharine Hepburn and Barbara Streisand; it was the second ever acting tie in Academy history; and the first in Best Actress category.
ON GOLDEN POND
The forth Oscar that Katharine has won; was for her role of Ethel in On Golden Pond; co-starring with Henry Fonda. The film tells the story of an elderly couple who loves each other deeply. Only few films in Academy history managed to win Oscar for both Best Actress and Best Actor in a one film and On Golden Pond did just that.
WHY KATHARINE WAS NOT ATTENDING OSCARS
Despite winning 4 Oscars; Katharine never attended the ceremony to actually receive it; In the late 80s and early 90s Hepburn finally started to give interviews about her life and her achievements. In the interview with Morley Safer; Katharine opens up about not attending Oscars; she says that the reason behind it; was that she afraid that she won't win.
LATE INTERVIEWS
She also didn't think that acting is a higher art; in her interview with Barbara Walters she said that painting can be considered high art but not acting 2
She didn't hold back when she was asked about very gentle and controversial topic like Euthanasia; she was in a favor of it and she clearly stated that.
Katharine Hepburn is truly one of the kind; and her legacy will never be forgotten.
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