Martin Bradley In aiming at political seriousness this Tracy/Hepburn vehicle proved to be something of a misfire for all concerned. The story is that old chestnut about the hero who had feet of clay or in this case an American icon killed in an automobile accident who is revealed to be a Fascist. It's got one of the few really bad Katharine Hepburn performances, (admittedly she is saddled with some terrible material), and Tracy isn't much better as the journalist who sets out to write the man's life story, (he get glummer as the picture progresses as if it's just dawned on him what he's let himself in for). Cukor directed and Donald Ogden Stewart did the screenplay but this is no "Philadelphia Story" but a rather turgid drama masquerading as a thriller but one minus the thrills. If you want to be preached at, go to church where even the dullest sermon would be a lot more fun than this.

Michael_Elliott Keeper of the Flame (1942)*** (out of 4) Deeply involving drama has an American hero getting killed in a car accident and while the country mourns his death a reporter (Spencer Tracy) goes to his home to try and tell his life story. When the reporter finally meets the widow (Katharine Hepburn) he starts to realize that there's a mysterious truth behind the man's legend that might go against everything he stood for. I'm not sure why this film doesn't get more credit when people discuss the various films with Tracy and Hepburn but I found the movie to be very involving and contain quite a bit of suspense. The film was clearly influenced by Citizen Kane and this is easy to see in the film's look and atmosphere. The movie is incredibly dark and I really can't recall one scene that takes place with any light. The cinematography really captures the moody settings and the visual style is certainly very impressive. Tracy is his usual self in that he gives another wonderful and intense performance. Tracy is one of my favorite actors because you can read so much into just by watching his face and here the intensity in his face is great to watch. Hepburn is also wonderful in her role and when she finally reveals all the secrets towards the end, it's among the best I've seen her in any movie. I think the film has some flaws including the whole mystery aspect that takes too long to reveal. I think the film would have been better had some hints been dropped throughout the film but instead they are all held for the end. Even with that flaw, this is still a highly entertaining film that deserves more credit than it gets.

Panamint The propaganda content is routine for WWII. It is anti-Fascist, but with no new or exciting aspects. For example, the Fascist lackey "Kerndon" meets a routine, unspectacular end right on cue after he learns that Spencer Tracy's character is about to uncover something. In fact, there is a routine-ness to everything here. The strong patriotic message was clearly intended to dominate this film. This is a case of a meticulous director delivering a dominant message, and these factors steamroll over everything else.Katherine Hepburn of course is above-average in her performance, but is overly subdued. Her character has some depth, but as an actress it appears that the director or someone has tamed her natural vibrant acting style. Please don't misinterpret this comment- she is fascinating as always and well cast in the role. I believe that her performance was subordinated to the dominance of the message.Spencer Tracy gives a strong, believable performance. His character, however, is quite one-dimensional and relentless. Thats OK since he is supposed to be a super-patriot which is understandable in a time of war. It might have been seen as inappropriate for Tracy to have added much nuance here. Very fine black-and-white cinematography and first-rate production values. Good supporting performances. Despite these virtues, the film overall is somewhat plodding. It does have mystery, but lacks much that is spontaneous or original. For an exciting WWII espionage film with a similar plot and propaganda message, you can view the highly acclaimed "Foreign Correspondent" (1940). If you contrast the two films you will see the points I am trying to make, far more distinctly than I can write them. You could also view "Watch on the Rhine" (1943) wherein the performers and writing are allowed to shine with equal brightness to the strong propaganda message.

Stormy_Autumn It was Thursday evening and "CSI"s on 'CBS' at 9 p.m. PDT. And there's a Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn drama on 'TCM' (7 p.m.). One I haven't seen. It's "Keeper of the Flame" (1942) and I've considered watching it. The description looked pretty darn good but will the timing work out?Tracy portrays Steve O'Malley a journalist who is assigned to write a biography of a beloved war hero who was accidentally killed in an auto-running-off-the-bridge accident. Katharine Hepburn is the Widow Forrest who has learned much about her deceased husband. At first stand-offish, Christine doesn't want to help Steve write the biography. Her reasons are unknown. With as many odd and unusual people in the drama questions are popping up all over. O'Malley, being the excellent journalist he is, has began to figure out things are not what they seem. Why? If you get a chance you must see it. The ending has quite the twist.Oh, BTW, the timing was great...So was the movie