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Thursday 27 September 2012

Precode Double Take (or not): Katharine Hepburn

I've been doing a little series on actresses both Precode and Post-code, mostly when I could think of nothing else to blog. I've looked at the ones whose careers have endured from early talkies until the Classic era and most, I have found, have either needed to or wanted to completely alter their appearance and image to suit the changing times. Bette Davis had to dye her hair and Norma Shearer had to adopt a more calm acting style. But, when I was looking through the wonderful Katey's films and fashion style, other than a few tweaks, a little updating and a few wrinkles creeping in, her look has stayed almost identical. From the early nineteen thirties to well into the eighties, she had remained true to herself and to her style. Here's Katharine both Pre and Post-Code:


Katharine the Modern Woman

As famous aviatrix in Precode 'Chistopher Strong' (1933)
Forward thinking journalist in 'Woman of the Year' (1942)

Katharine in the Past

As Jo in the classic book and Precode film 'Little Women' (1933)

A powerful woman both off an on the screen, her is Katey playing Queen Mary in 'Mary Queen of Scotland' (1936)

 
Katharine the Crazy
Although she was not crazy, she was alittle wild in the Precode film 'Spitfire' (1934)

 
Not your usual Sunday Afternoon, Katharine with the leopard, Baby, in Postcode, 'Bringing Up Baby' (1938)


Katharine the Marriage Hopper
 
(not really the correct term, but I needed something for a woman often between marriages)


Her film debut opposite John Barrymore in the odd drama, 'Bill of Divorcement' (1932)


Between two famous leading men, in the hilarious 'Philidephia Story' (1940)

 
 
Katharine the Performer



As the adorable aspiring actress Eva Lovelace, in Precode film 'Morning Glory' (1934)

 

With a young Ginger Rogers in 'Stage Door' (1937)


See if you can spot the difference.... 

5 comments:

  1. Hi Emma, she really didn't change much and I guess that's why she feels so real and fresh still today. If it aint broke why fix it.

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  2. Her acting style changed. After she did some Shakespeare in the 50s I think she became more natural and less melodramatic. I also think her consistency in style is because it was genuine. That was honestly how she felt comfortable - it wasn't an act. Thanks for the great post and pictures!

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  3. Hi Margaret, thanks for your comment. Admitably, I don't know as much about Katharine as I would like. Her career was soo long and full of many ups and downs its hard to keep up. So its great that her style was enduring.

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  4. I loved her spirited personality, which helped her performances in many genres, from screwball comedy to drama. I recently watched her performance in the Pre-code Christopher Strong. I thought she was perfect for the part and reminded me a lot of of Amelia Earhart.

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  5. Hi Emma. I was trying to find your email address here but couldn’t locate it. I literally browsed everywhere. Can you please contact me at: alyson[at]ftframes.com
    It is regarding a film related writing opportunity!

    This is not a spam message by the way, although it might appear like it. Also if you could be kind, please remove this message once you have seen it so I don’t get emails by randomers.

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