Katharine Hepburn, that supreme feisty New England redhead, whose centennial was May 12, is being celebrated this week with a special 100th Anniversary Collection, and though the six films included aren’t necessarily her best, they still trump almost anyone else’s.
The greatest actress in the history of American movies, she was also, despite her antipathy for skirts and makeup, a great seductress, not only of audiences, but of lovers. Howard Hughes famously came under her spell, and so did master directors John Ford and George Stevens — not to mention leading man number one, Spencer Tracy.
I’m not being superficial when hailing Kate’s personal charms as well as her inarguable acting brilliance. (She was the winner of four “best actress” Oscars out of 12 nominations. Sex appeal, after all, is integral to her long-lived movie stardom and leading ladyhood. Hepburn had a life force and high-spirited charm that conquered all, that let her be grouchy and acerbic and ruthlessly candid and still win hearts. (“It’s bloody impractical: ‘To love, honor and obey.’
” She once said. “If it weren’t, you wouldn’t have to sign a contract.”)
The new boxed set, adorned with a magnificent Hepburn head shot, contains three real classics, 1933’s “Morning Glory” (her first Oscar-winner), 1935’s “Sylvia Scarlett” and the 1979 “The Corn is Green,” and three choice runners-up, including a Tracy-Hepburn romantic comedy you may have missed: 1945’s”Without Love.” That title certainly doesn’t fit her life and art.
The 100th Anniversary Collection: Katharine Hepburn
Package rating: Excellent.
“Morning Glory” *** 1/2 (U.S.; Lowell Sherman, 1933) Hepburn as a struggling young actress on the brink of stardom, with Adolphe Menjou and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The flip side of the “All About Eve” myth. “Sylvia Scarlett” **** (U.S.; George Cukor, 1935). Droll sex-role-reversal romp, co-starring Cary Grant. “Dragon Seed” ** 1/2 (U.S.; Jack Conway/Bucquet, 1944) In this Pearl Buck adaptation, Hepburn is among a top cast (Walter Huston, Akim Tamiroff) miscast as Chinese villagers.
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“Without Love” *** (U.S.; Harold S. Bucquet, 1944) One with Tracy about a couple who marry without love. “Undercurrent” ** 1/2 (U.S.; Vincente Minnelli, 1946). Glossy marital melodrama, with Robert Taylor and Robert Mitchum. “The Corn is Green” **** (U.S.; Cukor, 1979) Hepburn and Cukor remake the Bette Davis vehicle, based on Emlyn Williams’ play about a coal mine youth (Ian Saynor) and his teacher/mentor. Extras: featurettes, cartoons. (Warner)
*indicates material from past Wilmington reviews.
‘Superman’ Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Package rating: Very good.
One of last year’s most delightful box sets, with all four Christopher Reeve films, alternate versions, a George Reeves outing and the new one, with Brandon Routh — and last year’s defective disc problem solved. Includes “Superman” (U.S.; Richard Donner, 1978) in regular (****) and expanded (****) editions; “Superman II” (U.S.; 1981) in Richard Donner’s cut (****) and the Donner-Richard Lester version (*** 1/2); “Superman III” ** 1/2 (U.S.; Richard Lester, 1983) in a deluxe edition; “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” * 1/2 (U.S.; Sidney J. Furie, 1987); in a deluxe edition; and “Superman Returns” *** (U.S.; Bryan Singer, 2006) in a special edition. Extras: Commentaries; documentaries; featurettes; restored and deleted scenes; the 1951 George Reeves movie “Superman and the Mole-Men”; cartoons including the Max Fleischers; comic book by John Byrne, trailers. (Warner)