Unrequited Love stories & Kate Hepburn

[mrsl]

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Summertime:

This is one of those David Lean pre-epic movies. The scenery of Venice is gorgeous, covering the bridges, the 'streets', the statues, and the unique buildings. The movie itself followed one of those travelogue shorts and was a repeat of what had been shown in the short.

Kate Hepburn is a self-proclaimed spinster who has saved her money all her life to make this trip to see Venice. After a couple of days of touring, led by a young Italian boy, she realizes that with all her waiting, saving, and wishing to go, she was still missing the most important thing - someone to share it with. When a suave, sophisticated and very handsome antiques store owner presses her to join him for dinner, she finally throws caution to the wind and accepts. From that point it's basically a love story, but we get to share the beauty of Venice with her. Naturally there are a few spots where she feels as if she is betraying her basic beliefs, but realizes nobody here in Venice is going to go telling tales back home.

This is a real showcase for Katherine Hepburn, past her early fluttery acting habits, and no Spencer around where she has only herself to rely on, and she does a wonderful job of it.

Sea of Grass:

This movie always makes me wonder why nobody ever says a word ask questions or to defend themselves. From the very beginning of their marriage, which we see, Jim (Spencer Tracy), is ever doubtful of his wife Lutey (Kate). He causes her to feel insecure about everything, and never tries to help her get past her worries. Her worries consist of why he is out on the range for days at a time, (she doesn't believe there is any hanky-panky going on), nor can she understand why he is so unyielding in helping homesteaders when he himself started out as one (in her eyes at least). She can't understand why he has to have control of half of the state land and won't share with others. Then we have Melvyn Douglas in the pot to cause trouble from the day they meet. He never tries to hide his admiration for Lutey so naturally Jim is constantly on the watch. There is one scene where she is with the children (two of them), and Mel walks in, as does Jim but Lutey never opens her mouth, she just takes what he surmises, and she never says, 'I did not invite him, or know he was here'. This day is the beginning of the end, but things continue to go up and down for them. I can't say any more without ruining the movie, but it is a good one if you missed it, check for it next time it's on.
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