KEEPER OF THE FLAME
US, 1942, 100 minutes, Black and White.
Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Whorf, Margaret Wycherly, Audrey Christie, Horace (Stephen) Mc Nally, Forrest Tucker, Percy Kilbride.
Directed by George Cukor.
Keeper of the Flame is the second of the nine films made together by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The director is George Cukor, who also directed them in Adam's Rib and Pat and Mike. This film is very much in the atmosphere of World War II and is an anti-fascist film. It must have been quite critical of fascist loyalist movements in its time. It is also of interest in later decades especially with the revelation of conspiracy in America.
The film is reminiscent of Citizen Kane in its investigation of a character who is mighty in reputation but shadowy in reality. It is also reminiscent of Meet John Doe, a similar presentation of a fascist movement in America. Spencer Tracy is his effective self as the reporter. Katharine Hepburn has a good role as the ambiguous wife. Richard Whorf, later to become a director, is the sinister secretary of the great man. Margaret Wycherley is the dead man's mother - again an effective role and Audrey Christie who was to specialise in tough mothers in the 60s. The film was written by Donald Ogden Stewart who had previously written the award-winning screenplay of The Philadelphia Story for Katharine Hepburn. The film appears somewhat dated, especially in its World War II patriotism. However it is a timely warning about the devious methods of the fascist mentality.
1. The interest of this film, its impact during World War II, now? The stars and their working together, the themes?
2. Production values: MGM's style, photography the combination of the stars. the direction of George Cukor and the careful tone given the film?
3. The atmosphere of World War II, propaganda and morale boosting in the United States, reactions to Fascism in Europe and the prospect of Fascism in America? Throwing light on the atmosphere of the 40s,, the validity of the themes now and their impact?
4. The meaning of the title, its reference to America and to democracy? The preservation of values in America? The ironies when the true nature of Robert Forrest was revealed?
5. Audience involvement via the screenplay: the atmosphere of tribute and of mystery, the framework of the investigating reporter and the audience identifying with him and discovering the truth? The atmosphere of the detective story and its processes?
6. The impact of the opening with its swift presentation of the accident, the newspaper reports, the atmosphere of Robert Forrest on a pedestal and his abiding presence after his death. the presentation of his image in America? The atmosphere of his funeral, loyalty? Steven O' Malley and his presence, his admiration for Forrest, his investigation and the gradual growth of suspicion? How did the film give clues throughout for us to understand something of the nature of Forrest? When did the audience change its attitude towards him - with O' Malley or not? The gradual revelation of the truth and its impact?
7. Spencer Tracy's style as O' Malley? A respected war reporter with his experience of the war and bringing this back to America? The encounter with Jane at the funeral and his working with her for investigation? And the light romantic comedy style with Jane and Steven? The nature of his investigation. his encounter with the boy and his feeling for him as well as using him to gain access? The encounters with his father and the learning of the truth about Forrest eg. about the war and his rescuing him? The introduction to Christine Forrest and his encountering her in the house his first impressions? His being asked out?
8. The importance of the boy and his grief at Forrest's death and his blaming himself? His illness? Christine comforting him? The growing encounter between O' Malley and the boy and the boy's helping him into the house? The taciturn nature of his father? The importance of Christine's cousin and his drinking, not going to the funeral, hostility towards O' Malley? The suspicious appearances and some revelation of the truth about the daughter brought home from the mental home? The marriage? Themes of appearance and reality throughout the film? The importance of the taxi driver with his taciturn comments, his presence and driving O' Malley around? (And the humorous interludes, eg. the consultation with the doctor?)
9. The initial impression of Christine Forrest - dressed in white, with the flowers? The initial encounter with O' Malley? The suspicions of the audience with her discussions with Forrest's secretary and her appearance at the hotel? The sequences of her co-operation and yet her misleading O' Malley? Her attitude towards the memory of her husband? Her deceiving O' Malley? Her decision about the destruction of his papers - her delay and then her going to the brick house to burn everything? The ambiguity of her attitudes, eg. to the boy? Why was she prepared to conceal the memory of Forrest and make sure his name lived as an American ideal? The sudden impact of her being shot? The memory of her revelations about Fascism via the book published by O' Malley?
10. What happened during this investigation? As a reporter, as a man? As an American? The background to the main themes with Jane and the other newspaper people? The background of reporters trying to find out about a story?
11. The sinister presence of the secretary? His advice to Christine, his links with the important Fascists around America? His reactions to O' Malley? The fire and the shooting? His death?
12. The revelation of the Fascist negotiations and loyalties throughout America? The business people involved, newspaper editors etc.? Was such Fascism a reality or, at least, a possibility in America in the 40s?
13. The appropriate measures for an expose? The optimistic finale and Christine appearing as a martyr?
14. A humane film, a political film? A didactic moral fable?
