Saying Goodbye to Katharine
Monday, Jun. 30, 2003, 1:52 a.m.

A fond goodbye to Katharine Hepburn, who leaves us at 96 years of age, having lived quite an interesting life and having made quite a few good movies.

She is quoted in a story by Donna Tommelleo, Associated Press Writer, as saying - "I could have accomplished three times what I've accomplished," and "I haven't realized my full potential. It's disgusting." I find those interesting words coming from such a busy and successful woman. Why is it we are sometimes so hard on ourselves when we are doing our very best and doing pretty well at it too?

Everyone always talks about The Philadelphia Story but I have never caught that all the way through. Here are my four favorite Hepburn films:

Bringing Up Baby with Cary Grant

The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart

Woman of the Year with Spencer Tracy

Desk Set also with Tracy.

Bringing Up Baby (1938) is my favorite of these favorites however because of Hepburn's portrayal of the delightfully persistent young heiress, Susan Vance, and the rollicking conflict that ensues when she becomes entangled with the perfectly somber and industrious paleontologist, Dr. David Huxley (Cary Grant).

Of course, we all know that his unfortunate and rather unpleasant fiancee, Miss Alice Swallow (Virginia Walker) doesn't have a chance in the end. Once the pet leopard comes into the picture, Dr. Huxley is sucked into Susan's adventures so soundly that the only way out is to fall straight in love with her. We knew it would all work out that way too which made it all the more fun since Dr. Huxley didn't seem to know until the very end himself. It may not be real life but it was real fun for all of us watching the story unfold until it came to its inevitable and romantic conclusion.

Thanks Ms. Hepburn and well done.

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