The Sea of Grass (1947)

sea of grass poster 2.5rating (2.5/5) drama, western

Reference: imdb6 | wikipedia12
Reviews: IMDb External Reviews | Rotten Tomatoes

In The Sea of Grass, a cultured Katharine Hepburn leaves big town St. Louis to marry a New Mexican cattle baron Spencer Tracy. When Tracy’s character, who spends more time with his cattle and prairie than his lonely wife, is unable to accept the inevitable settlement of the west, Hepburn is drawn to Tracy’s nemesis, a lawyer (later a judge) played by Melvyn Douglas, who assists homesteaders pressing their land claims against Tracy’s violent control over government-owned land.

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn are my all-time favourite recurring on-screen couple (followed by Myrna Loy & William Powell, then Bogey & Bacall). Over 25 years they made nine films together. This, their fourth, was the seventh I’ve seen – and my least favourite.

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn Contemplate their Future in the Sea of Grass - 1947

Their performances were generally fine, though spotty in some places. Hepburn’s is better than  Tracy’s, who seemed to be phoning-it-in in too many places. I don’t think Tracy was convincing as a cattle baron. Any number of actors of that era would have been a better choice. Gary Cooper and Clark Gable come immediately to mind. Too much of the plot is not believable. Much does not make sense.

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The African Queen (1951)

African Queen

3.5-rating  (3.5/5) romance – comedy – adventure

Director John Huston’s, The African Queen (1951) is one of Humphrey Bogart’s and Katharine Hepburn’s most famous movies. Bogie won his only Oscar for his portrayal of an alcoholic captain of a river boat, the African Queen. Hepburn was nominated as Best Actress for her performance as a straight-laced missionary (loosing out to Vivien Leigh in Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951)).

African Queen Poster After the German’s attack  Hepburn’s African mission, Bogart offers to hide her away and wait out the war. The feisty Hepburn wants to take on the German’s instead.

I’ve always admired the strength and pluck of Hepburn’s characters – playing strong-willed, independent women, long before it was common in Hollywood. She doesn’t disappoint in the African Queen. Bogie, as a somewhat subservient drunkard, is a little out of character in this role – but not by much.

My favourite line from the movie: “I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution”

Will she make him a better man? Can he open her up? Will they make it out of Africa alive? Check out this family-friendly movie to see for yourself.

Reference: IMDB External Reviews | AFI’s 17th Best Movie of all Time