Woman of the Year (Film)

An online discussion of Dorothy Thompson before the election -- so you get an idea of the context -- led me to want to learn more about her. 

One book was too long for me. Another only had a brief reference. I have a third that has a chapter that should be more helpful. 

Katherine Hepburn's character in Woman of the Year is reportedly based on her. It was the first of many Hepburn/Spencer Tracy films. They also fell for each other in real life though Tracy refused to divorce his wife. Wikipedia tells me Hepburn accepted that. 

I have seen many of their films in whole or in part. I do not recall ever seeing this one. I checked it out. The DVD was one of the "Criterion" collection jobs with a film essay booklet and various bonus features.

The film essay discussed the new ending involving some sexist slapstick. The film itself was reportedly much better. A movie review book highlighted the scene where he tries to explain baseball to her. 

When they first met, she is fixing her stockings, so the first thing he sees is her long leg. An early scene also has their first kiss. Why did she want him to drive her to the airport. She wanted a kiss goodbye.  

Another scene has her having a lot to drink and she starts to drunkingly talk about growing up. She asks him to take her home. Quickly it is the next scene and we find out he left. The implication is that she wanted him to stay the night to have sex but the meaning is lost in the censor's demands of the time.

Anyway, I did not like the film. We barely see them together and suddenly there is talk of love and marriage. The film favors Spencer Tracy's character (a sports writer) while Hepburn's character is repeatedly shown to be an unthinking working woman type. 

I turned it off before the misguided quickie marriage and business about adoption of an orphan (which she does without telling him -- a horrible thing) or the asinine sounding ending. There is obviously chemistry there but the film doesn't give them a chance really.

Their other films also are a mixed bag. I don't recall liking Adam's Rib too much either, thinking some of the battle of the sexes humor was annoying. 

Another film with her as an athelete and him as a trainer also did not really appeal. Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner had its issues but not sure how much it was really "about" the two actors anyhow.  

Dorothy Thompson was married three times, divorcing twice. I saw some comment that it was somehow improper to base Katherine Hepburn's character on her without permission. Why? Many film characters are "types." You don't need permission.  

If anything, the problem is that the character here leaves something to be desired. If it was better written, I don't think Thompson has much to complain about if Katherine Hepburn played "her" in a film.