Keeper of the Flame (1942)
*** (out of 4)
Deeply involving drama has an American hero getting killed in a car accident and while the country mourns his death a reporter (Spencer Tracy) goes to his home to try and tell his life story. When the reporter finally meets the widow (Katharine Hepburn) he starts to realize that there's a mysterious truth behind the man's legend that might go against everything he stood for. I'm not sure why this film doesn't get more credit when people discuss the various films with Tracy and Hepburn but I found the movie to be very involving and contain quite a bit of suspense. The film was clearly influenced by Citizen Kane and this is easy to see in the film's look and atmosphere. The movie is incredibly dark and I really can't recall one scene that takes place with any light. The cinematography really captures the moody settings and the visual style is certainly very impressive. Tracy is his usual self in that he gives another wonderful and intense performance. Tracy is one of my favorite actors because you can read so much into just by watching his face and here the intensity in his face is great to watch. Hepburn is also wonderful in her role and when she finally reveals all the secrets towards the end, it's among the best I've seen her in any movie. I think the film has some flaws including the whole mystery aspect that takes too long to reveal. I think the film would have been better had some hints been dropped throughout the film but instead they are all held for the end. Even with that flaw, this is still a highly entertaining film that deserves more credit than it gets.
*** (out of 4)
Deeply involving drama has an American hero getting killed in a car accident and while the country mourns his death a reporter (Spencer Tracy) goes to his home to try and tell his life story. When the reporter finally meets the widow (Katharine Hepburn) he starts to realize that there's a mysterious truth behind the man's legend that might go against everything he stood for. I'm not sure why this film doesn't get more credit when people discuss the various films with Tracy and Hepburn but I found the movie to be very involving and contain quite a bit of suspense. The film was clearly influenced by Citizen Kane and this is easy to see in the film's look and atmosphere. The movie is incredibly dark and I really can't recall one scene that takes place with any light. The cinematography really captures the moody settings and the visual style is certainly very impressive. Tracy is his usual self in that he gives another wonderful and intense performance. Tracy is one of my favorite actors because you can read so much into just by watching his face and here the intensity in his face is great to watch. Hepburn is also wonderful in her role and when she finally reveals all the secrets towards the end, it's among the best I've seen her in any movie. I think the film has some flaws including the whole mystery aspect that takes too long to reveal. I think the film would have been better had some hints been dropped throughout the film but instead they are all held for the end. Even with that flaw, this is still a highly entertaining film that deserves more credit than it gets.