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IMDbPro

Keeper of the Flame

  • 19421942
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:05
1 Video
13 Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Journalist Steve O'Malley (Spencer Tracy) 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 que... Read allJournalist Steve O'Malley (Spencer Tracy) 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.Journalist Steve O'Malley (Spencer Tracy) 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.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • I.A.R. Wylie(novel)
    • Donald Ogden Stewart(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Spencer Tracy
    • Katharine Hepburn
    • Richard Whorf
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Cukor
  • Writers
    • I.A.R. Wylie(novel)
    • Donald Ogden Stewart(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Spencer Tracy
    • Katharine Hepburn
    • Richard Whorf
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 63User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Keeper of the Flame
    Trailer 2:05
    Keeper of the Flame

    Photos13

    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and George Cukor in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)
    Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Keeper of the Flame (1942)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Spencer Tracy
    Spencer Tracy
    • Steven O'Malleyas Steven O'Malley
    Katharine Hepburn
    Katharine Hepburn
    • Christine Forrestas Christine Forrest
    Richard Whorf
    Richard Whorf
    • Clive Kerndonas Clive Kerndon
    Margaret Wycherly
    Margaret Wycherly
    • Mrs. Forrestas Mrs. Forrest
    Forrest Tucker
    Forrest Tucker
    • Geoffrey Midfordas Geoffrey Midford
    Frank Craven
    Frank Craven
    • Dr. Fieldingas Dr. Fielding
    Stephen McNally
    Stephen McNally
    • Freddie Ridgesas Freddie Ridges
    • (as Horace McNally)
    Percy Kilbride
    Percy Kilbride
    • Orion Peabodyas Orion Peabody
    Audrey Christie
    Audrey Christie
    • Jane Hardingas Jane Harding
    Darryl Hickman
    Darryl Hickman
    • Jeb Rickardsas Jeb Rickards
    Donald Meek
    Donald Meek
    • Mr. Arbuthnotas Mr. Arbuthnot
    Howard Da Silva
    Howard Da Silva
    • Jason Rickardsas Jason Rickards
    • (as Howard da Silva)
    William Newell
    William Newell
    • Piggotas Piggot
    Walter Bacon
    • Mourneras Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    Barry Bernard
    • Forward American Boyas Forward American Boy
    • (uncredited)
    Clifford Brooke
    Clifford Brooke
    • Williamas William
    • (uncredited)
    Steve Carruthers
    Steve Carruthers
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Ricardo Lord Cezon
    • Boyas Boy
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Cukor
    • Writers
      • I.A.R. Wylie(novel)
      • Donald Ogden Stewart(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Louis B. Mayer was very unhappy about the film's political content, thinking it noncommercial. Katharine Hepburn too felt that the storyline was too dull and needed to be pepped up with some romance. She complained to producer Victor Saville about this but he ignored her comments, so Hepburn went directly to Mayer who was only too happy to make the film into a more conventional Hollywood romance.
    • Goofs
      In the denouement scene in the arsenal, while standing near the safe, Christine begins wearing a rain coat which then becomes a fuzzy cloth coat.
    • Quotes

      Christine Forrest: But what was really shocking to me, was the complete cynicism of the plan. Each of the groups was simply to be used until its usefulness was exhausted. Hates were to be played against hates. If one group threatened to get too powerful, it would be killed off by another group. And in the end, those poor little people who never knew to what purpose they were lending themselves would be in the same chains, cowed and enslaved.

    • Connections
      Edited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Marcia Funebre
      (uncredited)

      from "Symphony No.3 in E Flat Major "Eroica", Op.55" (1806)

      Music by Ludwig van Beethoven

      played as background music during the funeral

    User reviews63

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    An Absorbing and Sadly Overlooked Mystery-Drama.
    "Keeper of the Flame"(1942)was the second film starring the team of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Their first was the delightful George Stevens comedy,"Woman of the Year",which was a smash hit at the Box Office. However,many critics consider their second film to be a not bad, but lesser teaming. This is mainly because the characters Tracy and Hepburn play lack the romantic chemistry that was evident in their other films. Also,because of the dark theme of the plot,there is no room for any comical moments. With that said, "Keeper of the Flame" is a brilliant mystery-drama with a timely theme:the dangers of false hero-worship. Steven O'Malley(Spencer Tracy)is a reporter wanting to write a story on the life of Robert Forrest,a beloved American hero, who has suddenly been killed in a tragic car accident. O'Malley has found it difficult to get an interview with the devastated widow,Christine Forrest(Katharine Hepburn). While waiting for the interview, he encounters peculiar people well-acquainted with the deceased. He meets Forrest's brother-in-law(Forrest Tucker),an embittered man,who seems to despise Forrest, a young boy(Daryll Hickman),who admires Forrest so much,he feels responsible for his death,and Forrest's fussy secretary(Richard Whorf),who isn't what he seems to be. The young boy leads O'Malley to Christine Forrest. O'Malley expects Christine to be well in her middle-age,but he's startled to see she isn't that old. Christine isn't very helpful with the story;she's quite distant when O'Malley asks her certain questions. O'Malley also finds out that Forrest's mother(Margaret Wycherly)is still living. Her identity is near-hidden, so he decides to meet her. Christine claims she's a mentally-disturbed invalid,but O'Malley feels she knows more than she has been given credit for. Meeting these people,O'Malley comes to the startling realization that Robert Forest,a supposed "American hero",isn't such a great human being. The acting is vivid and realistic. Katharine Hepburn is excellent in the challenging role of a woman who knows what her husband was really like,but must be "the keeper of the flame." Spencer Tracy is extremely effective as a reporter,who's beliefs have been shattered. The sparkling supporting cast makes the mystery even more intriguing. George Cukor does a terrific job of directing by never having unnecessary scenes and building up the suspense slowly to make the ending have a lasting impression. Cukor's work here foreshadows his work on the psychological dramas,"Gaslight"(1944) and "A Double Life"(1947). The cinematography is stark and always draws the viewer's attention. The score is appropriately overpowering. The film has some similarities to the overrated,"Citizen Kane."(1941) It's similar in that the main character is a deceased American figure,who's isn't what he seems to be. Also,in both films,the main character lives in a dark,mysterious house. However,the viewer has sympathy for Charles Foster Kane,whereas no one feels sorry for Robert Forrest. I recommend this film and give it a strong 8 1/2 out of 10.
    helpful•32
    7
    • kryck
    • Mar 26, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Čuvari plamena
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,172,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,392
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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