Non-Stop (2014)

Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Action/Thriller
Estimated Budget: $50, 000,000
Estimated Gross(USA 7th March) : $52, 117,000

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: John W. Richardson, Christopher Roach
Stars: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery

My Rating: 8/10

OK so you may have seen the reviews and they have not been necessarily kind to Liam Neeson's new action feature. But I'm here to tell you that it was an hour and 40 minutes well spent, I enjoyed every minute of it, and its certainly not as bad as all the critics have made it out to be.

The premise is one that would make Hitchcock himself proud, a crusty old air marshal Bill Marks (Neeson) has a drinking problem and more than one family issue. He boards a routine flight from America to London and finds that his secure network is hacked by an anonymous messenger claiming that if $150 million is not transferred into an account they will kill one passenger on board every 20 minutes. That information alone is enough to get your heart racing, but what is more we are as clueless as Marks, we suspect everyone with Director Jaume Collet-Serra's clever shooting. We find out any new developments as Marks does, meaning we are completely in the dark, it is the best kind of who-dunnit, keeping us guessing until the shattering finale. What adds to this drama, (if anything possibly needed adding) is the slightly problematic discovery that the account is in Bill Marks name. This significantly complicates matters for the air marshal, as he is trying desperately to save the passengers they in turn believe he is a terrorist who has hijacked the plane. They are helped with this assumption by the press on the ground who are running constant stories on the alleged hijacking.

Who knew early in 2008 that Liam Neeson in just a few short months time would be the new action star of the decade. I know I didn't, but with Taken (2008) arguably one of the greatest action thrillers of modern cinema Neeson became just that. His Brian Mills (notice the same initials - B. M.) took matters into his own hands and with his special set of skills blasted Neeson onto the podium next to the likes of Stallone and Schwarzenegger 2 decades before. Although this time around his skills are less action and more brain-work Neeson's Marks still has his moments to kick butt.

He is joined on his flight by Julianne Moore's passenger Jen Summers and keeping with the pattern, parts of her character are hidden. She is a good co-star for Neeson, the chemistry is there (they have worked together before on Chloe (2009) ) and her character's slightly more relaxed and step-back attitude is a great help to Marks as he enlists Jen, one of the only friendly faces he trusts on the flight to help him solve the mystery. Another recognisable face is Downton Abbey's own Lady Mary Crawley, Michelle Dockery is taking time out from her period costume to play Nancy a flight attendant who is thrown into the turmoil along with the rest. Unlike most she has worked with Marks before and they have a shorthand, therefore she is one of the few who believes that Marks is innocent and helps him in his exploration of the plane and passengers. Recent Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o can be glimpsed in a very brief role as fellow flight attendant (this was obviously cast before her amazing part in 12 Years a Slave (2013), it would have been nice to see more of her). Other co-stars include Scoot McNairy in a slightly under-developed role (my personal opinion only, others may disagree) and Corey Stoll, both passengers unsure of how to handle the dramatic circumstances in which they find themselves.

I do think this is a story worthy of Hitchcock, I was biting my nails in anticipation, I suspected everyone and was on the edge of my seat for every plot twist (of which there are many). The film has a fast pace and the tone and style create a fantastic thriller the likes of which we haven't seen for a while. My only stipulation would be the ending, of course the bad guy is revealed and in a way it is both a surprise and not a surprise, since you have suspected everyone and then moved on, there is a sense of "I knew it!" to the reveal. My complaint is with the reason, it is very hard to find good motivation for thrillers and as with many before it the motivation for these acts is just not really good enough. Not only that but the revelation of the why's and hows lasts all of what feels like 30 seconds, therefore feeling rushed and not given the time it deserves, the reveal can often be one of the most exciting scenes in a film and I feel they did not do it justice here.

However despite that (as I said only 30 seconds) the rest of the finale is action packed with some excellent stunts and camera-work, even Michelle Dockery gets a go (have you ever wanted to see Lady Mary give a right hook). What is amazing about a film like this and about every one of its type is that it is filmed all in one location. It is exceedingly difficult to keep an audiences attention for an hour and 40 minutes if there is no change of setting. Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men (1957) I feel is one of the greatest examples of success with this; when you have one setting all the more importance is thrust upon the script. I consider the creators of Non-Stop to have done this successfully, and what is more the plane is almost as important as a character itself. Everybody can understand the rational fear of being in a metal box thousands of miles in the air travelling hundreds of miles an hour. A thriller on the ground is bad enough, there is usually lots of running and travelling from place to place. But to be contained like they are on a plane, it is terrifying without adding the threat of an irrational killer into the mix.

So my advice....Give this a go, its not the most complex thriller ever written but you can't say it isn't entertaining. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Running Time: 2 Hours 10 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure/Comic-Book
Estimated Budget: $170, 000,000
Estimated Gross:

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Stars: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson

My Rating: 9/10

Can Marvel do any wrong?
In my humble opinion, nope they absolutely cannot, and if they can they haven't proved it yet. Every time a Marvel film is announced advertised and released in cinemas I get so excited. I was never a comic book fan and when the first movies i.e. Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010) were first released I did not see them at the cinema and was not even slightly interested. But somewhere between Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) the billion dollar company took a hold and I've been a fan ever since. In a group of 5 boys and myself I was definitely the most excited whilst watching The Avengers (2012). 

So it's safe to say I was excited to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I was looking forward to learning more about Steve Rogers, as I felt they had really only scratched the surface with his character. The first film really drew me in because like Thor they appealed to women as well as the usual male audience. They were less action packed adventures than character driven origin stories, something about the more in depth detail of these 2 films resonated with me, not to mention the sweet love stories that made up part of the focus for both heroes. Captain America 2 wastes no time getting into the action, it is fast paced and there is no other word for it; cool. The cutting in the fight scenes is so fast at the start of the movie that it takes your eyes some time to adjust to the pacing.

Steve Rogers is in this film, beginning to come to terms with a modern life, he is internally struggling but on the outside he has got a rhythm/pattern to his life which he repeats daily to ease the pain. His relationship with Black Widow is developing they are beginning to build a friendship and trust between them and by the end of the movie there is an immoveable bond formed. Whether this blossoms into a romance remains to be seen but I'm sure every girl in the audience was fantasising about a union. This bond comes in handy as Steve needs all the help he can get as he faces a new enemy. Things are looking bad for S.H.I.E.L.D. someone on the inside has gone corrupt and things are looking bleak. This film shows us much more of Nick Fury, we learn a lot of new things about him, his past and his true feelings; leading S.H.I.E.L.D. he is very guarded but the wall drops briefly enough for us to learn some interesting insights.

What neither Fury nor Steve Rogers have bargained on is a new enemy; with a metal arm, extremely powerful, fast and with his face covered he is a mysterious but dangerous foe. As people are now aware this is the Winter soldier and it is none other than Steve's closest friend Bucky Barnes who as far as Steve knew had fallen to his death in the second World War. He has no memory of Steve or Captain America his alias, this proves problematic for Steve as he is fiercely loyal and has to find the strength to battle Bucky in their inevitable showdown. The plot for The Winter Soldier is far more interesting and complex than the original, it features just as much action if not more yet still manages to have a superior storyline for all characters involved.

As well as all that there are also plenty of new characters introduced many of whom will return in larger roles in future Marvel entries. This applies mainly to Anthony Mackie who plays Sam Wilson aka Falcon, he is a soldier who Steve can relate to, they share the feeling of having come back from a place civilians cannot imagine. Sam becomes an ally who trusts and respects Steve intensely and backs him up immediately when trouble appears. I for one will be very interested to see how Sam/Falcon develops at a later date, having only shown a very small amount of his potential and those wings.

Hollywood star and indie king Robert Redford was a surprising but inspired choice as Alexander Pierce the secretary in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. he works above Nick Fury but they are very close. Redford plays Pierce very calm and collected throughout the film and shows that he can still give an outstanding performance in the biggest films. His character is involved in the largest plot twist in the film, a twist with many levels, the first being very predictable the second not at all so. The film lends itself to classic conspiracy thrillers that Redford starred in at the height of his career. It is not only Bucky who is re-introduced from the first movie and this proves for a thrilling addition to the storyline. There is a delightful and rather thrilling cameo from Jenny Agutter who seemingly proves her worth towards the end of the film. Stan Lee of course has his usual delightful cameo, a laugh out loud moment that every audience member appreciates.

Despite the fantastical futuristic elements that bombard every Marvel film there is a very gritty realism to this film, a dark edge under the surface. This theme blends well with the mistrust and corruptness that is enveloping the company that Steve Rogers has agreed to be a part of. Looking back through Marvel's turn out so far this is no doubt the best sequel they have produced. Due in no small part to directors Anthony and Joe Russo who have created a film that is far superior to its original and brings new thrills into the already amazing world of Marvel.

As with all the Marvel films to date watch out for the ending, there is a worthwhile clip that will excite all Marvel fans, we are briefly introduced to new characters which leads us into Avengers: Age of Ultron due for release May 1st 2015.

This is nothing short of an exceptional example of what can happen when all the right ingredients come together. It is a film that will appeal to both male and female, young and old audiences, it has a gritty edge but also keeps that fun, sharp witty dialogue that is expected in a Marvel creation. Captain America: The Winter Soldier has laid a new and polished path for which all future Marvel films will tread. Here's hoping they can match up.

RIP Mickey Rooney

I woke up this morning to hear the devastating news that Hollywood Legend Mickey Rooney had died yesterday at the age of 93.
This is a very personal blow to me, of all the great talents to have passed away in the last 6 months or so Mickey Rooney's passing moved me the most. Since the age of 16 I have been in awe of Mickey, such a small stature (reaching only 5 foot 2") but full to the brim with energy and magnetism. His work with Judy Garland has been cemented in my mind as some of the greatest entertainment ever created.
We have lost yet another connection to Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930's and 40's. I am sad to say they are a rare breed now, many having died years ago. We are humbled to have had Mickey Rooney entertaining and delighting audiences for 93 years. His work is his legacy, stating his motto as; "Never retire, Inspire" and boy did he live up to that.

Mickey Rooney was born Joseph Yule Jr in 1920 New York City, it could be said that he was a performer from birth having his stage début at 18 months in his parents vaudeville act. When his parents split he moved with his mother to California and it wasn't long before he was working professionally in the short film Mickey Maguire series at just 7 years old, they ran for seven years. Mickey's name was changed to his titular role on the series but eventually landed on Mickey Rooney. Mickey got his face known in films like A Midsummer Nights Dream (1935) and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936). Mickey then began working for the legendary star studio MGM and had his big break playing Andy Hardy in the film A Family Affair (1937) the series was extremely successful spawning 16 titles in the course of 9 years, for many Mickey will always be remembered as the loveable Judge Hardy's son, forever getting into scrapes and trying to grow up too fast. In 1958 one more Andy Hardy film was made Andy Hardy Comes Home in which the older Andy becomes the head of the Hardy family.

After the success of the first Andy Hardy film, Mickey rose up the ranks with films like Captains Courageous (1937) alongside Spencer Tracy and Lionel Barrymore and then his first introduction to his greatest on-screen partner Judy Garland in 2 films Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (1937) and Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) (Garland would feature as Betsy Booth in 2 other Andy Hardy pictures). But it was Boys Town (1938) again alongside Spencer Tracy which really cemented Mickey Rooney in Hollywood as an upcoming star. He plays Whitey Marsh a young man sent to Boys Town a place thought up by Tracy's real life incarnation of Father Flanagan for delinquent boys, giving them the chance to get on the right path. After Boys Town Mickey was chosen to play Huckleberry Finn in the classic adaptation of Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939) and his other work that year earned him a Juvenile Oscar which he shares with Deanna Durbin for their 'significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth, and as juvenile players setting a high standard of ability and achievement'.

In 1939 Mickey partnered with Judy Garland for a series of backyard musicals, the result made the pair mega-stars in the film industry and created one of the greatest partnerships in Hollywood history, I personally would place them in the ranks of Tracy and Hepburn and Astaire and Rogers. Babes In Arms (1939) was the first of the 4 pictures directed with extravagant choreography and musical numbers by Busby Berkeley, it also earned Mickey his first Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor. Strike Up the Band (1940), Babes on Broadway (1941) and Girl Crazy (1943) followed in between the now expected annual Andy Hardy features. All the musicals had a similar pattern, young kids wanting to be famous and with some difficulty put on a show (well beyond their means) which inevitably leads them to Broadway. With young up-and-coming co-stars and a leading romance blossoming in the final reel they were booming successes in the early 1940's, post depression era.

In 1943 Mickey joined the army and spent most of his service entertaining troops. When he came back to Hollywood the following year as the war ended he was 24 years old and despite his youthful looks needed to make a solid transition from juvenile to adult roles. His first attempt at this was National Velvet (1944) the film remembered for making Elizabeth Taylor famous. In 1944 Mickey was nominated for his second Academy Award for Best Actor for the film The Human Comedy (1943) a film focused on those left behind during the war. MGM continued to place Mickey in big productions surrounded by well known stars; Summer Holiday (1948), Words and Music (1948) (in which he re-teamed for a musical number with Judy Garland) but his star power was waning. His energetic and sometimes cocky attitude did not sit well in his mature roles. As the 50's began and then turned into the 60's Mickey Rooney was left behind, the decade being rather disappointing in comparison to the last. He can be seen yelling at Audrey Hepburn in the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) disguised as Mr Yunioshi her Japanese neighbour. But his performance has since been considered racist.

In the late 50's and early 60's Mickey could often be seen as a guest on television, his memorable reunion on the Judy Garland show in 1963 was a highlight of this era (Garland insisted that Rooney was her first guest). In 1962 Mickey filed for bankruptcy his high fuelled lifestyle and his countless marriages had taken their toll on his finances, (Mickey was married 8 times, his first most famous match with MGM starlet Ava Gardner). Mickey saw a resurgence in his career in the 1970's after appearing in the musical Pete's Dragon (1977) and appearing on Broadway in Sugar Babies. As well as 2 more Oscar nominations, both for Supporting Actor for The Bold and the Brave (1956) and The Black Stallion (1979). Mickey was also nominated for 5 Primetime Emmy's winning one in 1982 for his performance in the TV movie Bill (1981). He also received an Honorary Oscar in 1983 'in recognition of his 50 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances'.

In recent years Mickey can be heard doing a number of voice work roles, he had a small but memorable role in Night at the Museum (2006) and was one of many star cameos in The Muppets (2011). He had just finished filming Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Margaret O'Brien another Hollywood child-star of the Golden Era. The film should be released later this year. Director Shawn Levy has also confirmed that only last month Mickey completed scenes for Night at the Museum 3 due for release at christmas.

The consummate entertainer, Mickey Rooney worked until the very end, making him one of the only people to truly state they worked their whole lives. For that reason alone he will be remembered as one of the Hollywood greats. His body of work spans 9 decades and stars some of the greatest actors in existence.
All that remains to be said is that Mickey Rooney was a class act, he was a truly amazing entertainer and he will be greatly missed.

RIP Mickey Rooney.

Doris Day: Star Profile

Yesterday Doris Day turned 90. Instead of presents and cards she asked that well wishers donate money to her animal foundation. What does this prove?
Only that even at 90 Doris Day is still the nations sweetheart and even though she retired in 1973 new generations of people are taking her to their hearts everyday with her endless list of classic music and her fabulous array of movies.

She has worked with some of Hollywood's biggest leading men, Grant, Hudson, Sinatra, Gable. Known as the sweet girl next door with stunning wholesome features and a full rich voice. Perfect for romantic comedies and musicals, she then gave the world the sex comedy and developed a whole new audience.

As a tribute to Doris Day on being 90 years young I am taking a quick look back at her career, and what a career it was.


Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff was going to be a great dancer, that was until a terrible car accident left her leg broken in many places and unable to walk for months. This put an end to her dancing career, it was whilst lying in bed she began singing along with the radio. Her mother recognised her talent and got her daughter voice lessons, Doris began working with local bands and it was then that one of her band leaders hit on the surname Day after a song she had sang. Due to her tremendous talent and the hit record Sentimental Journey it wasn't long before Hollywood came calling. She was signed to Warner Brothers and was making her first film Romance on the High Seas (1948) directed by Michael Curtiz. It was a smash and so was Doris, romantic comedy, showing off her musical talent was a product that sold and Warners wasted no time getting Doris on the screen again. She really made a name for herself with 2 such films with Gordon MacRae; On Moonlight Bay (1951) and its sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) in which she played the tom-boy Marjorie Winfield who learns to become a proper feminine young lady when she falls for the boy across the street.

The same year Doris made one of her favourite films and a musical that remains a classic to this day, the film was Calamity Jane (1953). In it she plays the gun-toting titular character again a tom-boy with rough edges and rougher tongue. In love with Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin who unfortunately has eyes for the new singer who Calamity has brought personally into town (but who as it happens isn't a singer at all but the singers maid). Doris was put opposite leading musical man Howard Keel as Wild Bill Hickok who is a thorn in Calamity's side. Filled with memorable songs and an upbeat comedic performance from Day this film couldn't fail. In the next few years she made a number of films that secured her success as the typical 50's woman. Young at Heart (1954) with crooner Frank Sinatra and Love Me or Leave Me (1955) with the great James Cagney which showed off Doris' great dramatic ability. It was this film that got her the role with the greatest director of the decade Alfred Hitchcock, in 1956 he was remaking his earlier success The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) Day was cast opposite James Stewart and proved to audiences she had more than a great voice. Although the song in the movie Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) did win the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year, made number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and became her signature song (it was used as the theme on her television show which ran from 1968-1973).

In 1959 after a string of successful films including The Pajama Game (1957), Teachers Pet (1958) with ageing King of Hollywood Clark Gable, and It Happened to Jane (1959) with Jack Lemmon Doris Day entered into a film which turned her wholesome image upside. In Pillow Talk she plays Jan Morrow a frustrated single designer sharing a party line with a playboy musician (Rock Hudson). She loathes him, he despises her but after seeing how pretty she is at a club he decides to romance her by disguising his voice and using a fake name. The script was smart up-to-date (for the time) and full of double meanings, and the audiences loved it. It proved also to be a winning partnership for Day, the chemistry between her and Rock Hudson was magnetic and they repeated the success of Pillow Talk twice more with Lover Come Back (1961) and Send Me No Flowers (1964). All the films followed a similar pattern, but audiences loved to see Day and Hudson bicker and fight, (nobody got angry better than Doris Day) then realise they had fallen in love.

Doris Day as hard as it may seem to believe introduced the sex comedy, and not only that, she was extremely good in them. She completed Please don't Eat The Daisies (1960) with David Niven and That Touch of Mink (1962) with Cary Grant, both cementing Doris as one of the most successful actresses working in Hollywood during that decade. She was fast becoming an advocate for modern women, the housewife who decided she didn't need to choose the career or the family, she could do both. Day thoroughly enforced this in her 60's pictures. She was a woman that was looked upon as an ideal partner for men and a symbol of change for women around the world. Doris found another partner in crime in hunky actor James Garner they made The Thrill of it All (1963) and Move Over Darling (1963) in the same year, like Hudson the pair had great chemistry in fact I think even better than Day and Hudson and again they have remained firm friends ever since (a credit to her character - Doris has remained friends with many of her leading men and co-stars throughout the years). In both films Doris goes toe to toe with Garner with hilarious results, and like every Doris Day film it all works out well in the end.

As the 60's came to an end so did an era, times had been changing throughout the decade, the wholesome, content, family friendly ideal that Doris Day represented had gone and the baby boomer's were leading the country and ruling the cinema. Doris made flimsy comedies like Do Not Disturb (1965) and The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) but audience interest was evaporating. They were looking elsewhere for their entertainment, violence and realism being the thrill of the day. Doris did not like the scripts she was being sent, Hollywood was changing and she refused to change along with it. She made her last film With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) with Brian Keith and left Hollywood.

Doris Day had been working constantly for 20 years, she thought (and rightly so) that she has a lovely nest egg, in which she could retire and spend time doing things dear to her heart. Unfortunately her third husband Marty Melcher who also managed her career and finances died and she learned that he had trusted the wrong man with her money; it was all gone and she owed millions in debts. She was in talks to star in her own television show which she did in 1968 it ran successfully for 5 years. It brought her thousands of new fans and also paid the lawyers bills as she was fighting to get her stolen money back. She won her fight in 1973 and received a portion of her earnings back.

Doris retired from public life, never having been a big fan of it anyway, she always wanted to run a home and raise a family. She moved to Carmel in California where she still resides today working in her garden and passing the time with her greatest passion in life; animals. Doris has raised millions over the years with her animal foundation which helps re-home animals. She even owns a pet friendly hotel in Carmel, though 90 she still gets up at 6am to see to the dogs and loves nothing better than spending time in her garden or on the beach with them and her family (her son Terry Melcher unfortunately passed away in 2004).

It has been 41 years since Doris Day was last seen on screen in a movie or television show, but she has never, not for a minute been forgotten. It is amazing that she is as popular today as she was when she gracefully exited in 1973. She is greatly loved by audiences all over the world and her songs pop up everywhere. She is one talented lady and it is for this reason and also being one of the kindest, happiest people in films and the industry that has created such an astounding fan base.

Every film mentioned above shows just how funny, graceful and extremely talented Doris Day was and how fortunate we are to have had the privilege of seeing her films and listen to her music. For more information on Doris you could watch the documentary that was made about her life and career in 1991: Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey it is well worth a watch, packed with interviews from colleagues fans and Doris herself charming and grateful, and plenty of clips from her best films.

Happy 90 years young Doris Day, your a legend.

Top 10 Katharine Hepburn Films

What can you say about one of the greatest stars in the world to this day. Katharine Hepburn was a strong, feisty independent women well before they were characteristics that women were allowed to have. She was an inspiration to many and not only that she happened to be one of the greatest actresses who ever lived. Not bad when you think about it, she still holds the record for most Academy Awards won, she won four all for Best Actress.

Known not only for her strong spirit but for her famous relationship with fellow actor Spencer Tracy another legend of the silver screen. She has portrayed some fantastic characters and in every film she made the Katharine Hepburn persona has shone through. She was nothing short of remarkable, she just wanted to act and that she did. Here is the list of my favourite Katharine Hepburn Films.

10 - Pat and Mike (1952)

Running Time: 1 Hour 35 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: George Cukor
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy

Pat and Mike was one of 9 films that Hepburn made with Spencer Tracy. Written by their friends Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin this film was written to show off Hepburn's athletic skills (she was an avid tennis and golf player). Her Pat could be a great sports star, says her new slightly shady manager Mike (Tracy) but the problem is her fiance, she never plays her best when he is watching. Mike's dominating character helps Pat overcome her problems as they become mutually attracted to each other and Mike tries to go straight for Pat and quit his dodgy dealings.

09 - Woman of the Year (1942)

Running Time: 1 Hour 55 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: George Stevens
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy

The Tracy Hepburn team in one of their best and their first film together. Hepburn had the rights and wanted Tracy and she got him. She plays Tess Harding a brilliant reporter, Tracy plays Sam Craig a sports writer, they meet don't hit it off at first but eventually fall in love. They get married but Sam struggles to get used to Tess' hectic lifestyle, she is very active and is neglectful of her new husband, can she have the career and the husband?

08 - Adam's Rib (1949)

Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: George Cukor
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Judy Holliday

My personal favourite of the Tracy Hepburn pairing and I believe they are at their best here as two lawyers working against each other in a murder case where a woman shot her husband. This would normal enough if the two were not a married couple, which they most certainly are. Tensions begin at home and hilarity ensues as they begin to come apart at the seams both behind closed doors and eventually at work. Both comedically at their best in this film Adam's Rib is the best film to show the great chemistry the leads had with each other. Classic.

07 - Suddenly Last Summer (1959)

Running Time: 1 Hour 55 mins
Genre: Drama/Mystery
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift

A strange star filled film, full of tension and an underlying edge that isn't revealed until the final scenes. Taylor and Clift are superb in the film and Hepburn is on finest form.Taylor is a young woman who saw her cousin killed whilst on holiday with him, what she saw has driven her mad. Hepburn plays Violet Venable the boys mother who hires Clift's doctor to lobotomise her to cover up the truth.
Hepburn is ruthless and emotionless as the overbearing mother who tries to bribe the doctor into performing the surgery so her beloved son's memory is not defiled by Catherine who has been babbling about it since it happened the year before. Unfortunately for Violet the truth eventually comes out as the young doctor presses Catherine for details.

06 - The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Running Time: 1 Hour 50 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director:  George Cukor
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart

Hepburn bought the rights to The Philadelphia Story with help from the aviator Howard Hughes. She wanted Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy for Co-Stars but got Cary Grant and James Stewart. What a different film it would have been, Hepburn plays a rich woman remarrying, everything is running smoothly until her ex (Grant) shows up and a reporter (Stewart) aiming to get a good story. With both men hanging around Hepburn's Tracy Lord begins to admit her true feelings to herself. A classic comedy for the ages.

05 - Rooster Cogburn (1975)

Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Western
Director: Stuart Millar
Stars: John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn

Perhaps a surprising choice, Hepburn was not exactly know for westerns but her performance opposite John Wayne was hilarious. The chemistry between the tough old cowboy reprising his role from True Grit (1969) and the feisty old broad Eula Goodnight was contagious. They oddly made a fantastic pairing, she tagging along with the cantankerous marshall to hunt down her fathers killers. Rooster is unwilling at first but he soon has a lot of respect for this determined woman who can be just as tough as he is.

04 - Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Howard Hawks
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Barry Fitzgerald

A comedy classic this was the first pairing of Hepburn and Cary Grant and they proved they made an excellent team. Grant plays a palaeontologist who finds himself mixed up with an enthusiastic heiress who is looking for his affections and her pet leopard - baby. Irritating in the most hilarious and endearing way Hepburn showed her comedic talent at its highest.

03 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Stanley Kramer
Stars: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier

A moving performance in a moving film, this was the last pairing of Tracy and Hepburn and the last film for Tracy, he died 3 weeks after filming ended. The pair play an old couple in the 60's who get a surprise when there daughter comes home and announces she is getting married, to an African American. The film was an important message for the changing times and acceptance of all races. With a caring deep performance from Hepburn who as in life showed her adoration of Tracy.

02 - On Golden Pond (1981)

Running Time: 1 Hour 50 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Mark Rydell
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda

A very personal film for the Fonda family this story of an elderly couple holidaying for perhaps the last time together and strained father daughter relationship that is aching to be fixed won Henry Fonda his only Oscar and Hepburn her fourth for Best Actress. Hepburn's Ethel is the caring, sensitive soul, constantly supporting her husband and picking up his spirits. It is a moving performance to watch.

01 - The African Queen (1951)

Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Adventure/Romance
Director: John Huston
Stars: Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart

Taking her chances with John Huston and Humphrey Bogart Hepburn braved Africa for her performance as Rose Sayer the religious woman living in Africa with her reverend brother (Robert Morley) teaching the natives. Their lives are shattered when the Germans destroy their village, Rose's brother dies with the shock. As WW1 is beginning Rose employs the help of Bogart's unwilling mail deliverer on his small boat The African Queen. They sweep down the African rapids and encounter other untold difficulties to seek revenge on the Germans.
The chemistry between Bogart and Hepburn is fantastic screenplay is one of the best delivered in Hollywood.


So there it is my list of Katharine Hepburn films, a mixture of genre films and amazing performances. If your a fan of old Hollywood and the classic golden age you will appreciate every film on this list.

What do you think of my list ? Do you agree with the films, what are your favourite Hepburn films?