Keeper of the Flame (1942)

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(254 ratings)

If you're wondering what Citizen Kane might have looked like had it been produced by MGM, we submit for your approval Keeper of the Flame. War correspondent Spencer Tracy is assigned to write the life story of a recently deceased super-patriot. One would suppose that the much-beloved decedent's life… More If you're wondering what Citizen Kane might have looked like had it been produced by MGM, we submit for your approval Keeper of the Flame. War correspondent Spencer Tracy is assigned to write the life story of a recently deceased super-patriot. One would suppose that the much-beloved decedent's life would be an open book, yet his widow Katharine Hepburn refuses to release any details concerning her late husband. Tracy gains Hepburn's confidence, and she agrees to help him with his article. Several curious incidents lead Tracy to believe that Hepburn was in some way responsible for her husband's death. While this is not entirely the case, Tracy stumbles upon a truth that has been carefully hidden from the public by the dead man's "damage control" people. Adapted by Donald Ogden Stewart from a novel by I. A. R. Wylie, Keeper of the Flame is perhaps the most dour of the Tracy/Hepburn vehicles; those expecting the usual battle-of-the-sexes repartee between the two stars would be better off with Adam's Rib or Pat and Mike. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: George Cukor
Written By: Donald Ogden Stewart
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Oct 23, 1991
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Director Cukor thought the plot was fraudulent, and the film is the worst collaboration of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in her first role as a "mature" woman.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An ill-conceived political melodrama modeled after Citizen Kane.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Middle-brow MGM variant on Citizen Kane. More interesting than good.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Somewhat weird downbeat drama, definitely an oddity from Tracy/Hepburn. But still worth a viewing.

Cast

            Spencer Tracy as Stephen O'Malley

            Katharine Hepburn as Christine Forrest

            Richard Whorf as Clive Kerndon

            Margaret Wycherly as Mrs. Forrest

            Forrest Tucker as Geoffrey Midford

            Frank Craven as Dr. Fielding

            Horace McNally as Freddie Ridges

            Percy Kilbride as Orion Peabody

            Audrey Christie as Jane Harding

            Darryl Hickman as Jeb Richards

            Donald Meek as Mr. Arbuthnot

            Howard Da Silva as Jason Richards

            Clifford Brooke as William

            Diana Douglas
            
            Dick Elliott as Auctioneer

            Rex Evans as John

            Donald Gallagher
            
            Sam Harris
            
            Crauford Kent as Ambassador

            Manart Kippen
            
            Mary McLeod Bethune as Janet

            Mickey Martin as Messenger Boy

            Louis Mason as Gardener

            Edward McWade as Lawyer

            Harold Miller as Man

            William Newell as Piggot

            Rita Quigley as Susan

            Jay Ward as Pete

            Blanche Yurka as Anna

            Cliff Danielson as Reporter

            Art Howard
            
            Bob Pittard as Tim
See full cast