Must See Movie...

Good concept, poorly executed.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a very controversial film since there are so many different aspects to it. It's both a political drama, a mystery thriller, a journalist's predicament of handling the truth, a great American tragedy and an interesting debunking of fascism. It is made in the most critical year of the war, it is definitely an ideological argument and taking a stand in the war although that is hardly mentioned and there are no political references, but it manages to delve into the darkness of manipulated politics to pinpoint the heart of the matter. What happened to Robert Forrest to make him change from an idealist and paragon for all democratic America into the opposite? What made Saruman change from a white magician into a black? That is the real issue here, and there is no answer.The only one providing an answer is the mother, who blames the fall of Robert Forrest on his wife, he should never have married, and she is the first one to mention the word 'murder', but Spencer Tracy has to discard her as insane. However, no other explanation is offered anywhere in the film.Spencer Tracy seeks out Katharine Hepburn, the widow of Robert Forrest, to write the story of his life and make it the eulogy of a hero. The widow readily accepts him and will cooperate fully, since she has no objection to the maintenance of her husband's glory and legend. But the journalist is not satisfied and realizes something is deliberately concealed from him. That's why he spites the widow to visit the mother on his own, and that's where the drama of the film starts. The more you dig for the truth, the worse it stinks, they say, and although you ultimately find the truth here, the film does not tell the whole story. The journalist tells the story for sure, but the key to the issue is never revealed or explained: how did it happen that such a glorious hero turned from idealism to opportunistic power madness? What made him change his mind and bring about his own fall? Was it only pride, vanity and egoism? Someone tries to hint at that for an explanation, that he lost God for egoism, but he was a clever and intelligent man, and it is never explained how he could get caught in such a trap.A critic says the portrait and case of Robert Forrest was modelled on Charles Lindbergh, but that is very far-fetched, and there are only vague parallels - Lindbergh never had political ambitions, although he clearly sympathized with fascism and racism. Racism is not mentioned here, fascism only perfunctorily, while the problems here are entirely human.I saw this film some 12 years ago and was impressed, I greatly looked forward to seeing it again for a closer look and found it an entirely different film. That tells something of its complexities.

During the war years, the theme of fascism trying to get a hold in America is depicted in this film.An American hero dies in a car accident,and in trying to write about his life, reporter Spencer Tracy discovers some very interesting but troubling facts about the man, Robert Forrest. Along the way, he has to deal with the man's mysterious wife, Katharine Hepburn.Darryl Hickman is effective as the child who cries and whines about not being able to warn the guy about the weakness of the washed out bridge where the crash occurred.The film often is brooding and is hurt by the fact that it basically takes place at the mansion where the deceased lived with his wife.Richard Whorf steals the show as the fascist's secretary, willing to commit mayhem to silence those discovering what has been going on.

Katharine Hepburn is "Keeper of the Flame" in this 1942 film starring Spencer Tracy, and directed by George Cukor. A reporter, just back from being in Europe, wants to write about a tremendous hero/statesman, Robert Forest, who has just died in an accident. But his reporter instincts pick up something rotten as he attempts to speak with the widow (Hepburn) and learns things about Forest and the family. He begins to suspect that the great man's death might not have been so accidental.Very dark and intriguing movie, well done, with a crackerjack cast that includes Margaret Wycherly, Forrest Tucker, Stephen McNally, Darryl Hickman, Howard da Silva, and Percy Kilbride. The script, by Donald Ogden Stewart, is perhaps inspired by Charles Lindbergh's story. Done today (as if anything could be kept from the press) it might be JFK.My only problem with this film is the prescribed code ending. Well worth watching - something quite different for Tracy and Hepburn, who usually performed lighter fare when together.

****** Keeper of the Flame (1942) George Cukor ~ Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Margaret Wycherly The film opens with the never appearing "Robert Forrest" dying in a car crash. Robert Forrest was, as it turn out, a great American hero; his tragic accident is big news; and, and the country mourns. Biographical journalist Spencer Tracy (as Steve O'Malley) decides to write a story about Forrest's life; but, the prospective "Keeper of the Flame" finds it difficult to interview beautiful Forrest widow Katharine Hepburn (as Christine). And, the people closest to the deceased accident victim are mysteriously uncooperative. What are they hiding? Tracy and Hepburn, under George Cukor's moody direction, are great fun to watch. Mr. Cukor and photographer William Daniels are especially Garbo-like when introducing Hepburn's character. Still, it's Tracy who holds everything together. The revelation about "Robert Forrest" was unexpected (to me, anyway); it was nice to see a film show the American belief system is based on ideas and truths rather than mindless patriotism.The film should have been better. First, the movie's main "romantic" relationship seems to occur too suddenly; certainly, the film's stars were capable of portraying a man and woman falling in love. Also, what did the Forrests' do? It's hinted, once, that "Christine" may have been an actress (believable); but, what office did her husband hold (if any)? Of the supporting cast, Margaret Wycherly seems truest, as the dead hero's "invalid" mother; a couple of the other players become more grating than effective, after a good first impression.