GEORGE CUKOR

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5. 

USA, 1952.  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  Screenplay by Ruth Gordon, Garson Kanin.  Cinematography by William H. Daniels.  Produced by Lawrence Weingarten.  Music by David Raksin.  Production Design by Cedric Gibbons, Urie McClearly.  Costume Design by Orry-Kelly.  Film Editing by George Boemler.  Academy Awards 1952.  Golden Globe Awards 1952.

Katharine Hepburn plays a champion athlete (tennis, golf, you name it) who is discovered by talent agent Spencer Tracy. Their love-hate relationship develops as they go from game to game, with Hepburn using each match to try and get over her overly competitive personality. Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin (Adam’s Rib) once again write a script that brings these two stars into a battle of the sexes and a war of personalities, not as successfully as in their previous effort but still an admirable film. Hepburn is excellent, Tracy is funny, with a supporting role going to Aldo Ray and a host of cameos by real athletes of the time.