love kate, but this was really boring

The passion sparked by the romance of Spencer Tracy and Kate Hepburn in turn, awoke in me an adoration of the biographies of old hollywood stars, acting as a catalyst of sorts. I am ashamedly doing this review many months after finishing this book, however I am currently reading another Katharine Hepburn book (her autobiography "Me.") and would definitely recommend reading this as a supplement if you're ravenously curious about the forbidden romance that had all the tongues of old Hollywood waggin'. As previously mentioned, I am a particular aficionado for the golden age of Hollywood and the shining stars encompassed in that glittering universe of talent and scandals galore. This story follows the relationship of screen icons Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. It begins with Kate's account of Tracy's death, a little foreboding perhaps but hey, we all knew it was coming. Anyway, the sound of a teacup breaking on the floor from the kitchen when a weakened Spencer goes to get some tea infers that this great performer's life has come to a close. We are then taken back to the beginning of their relationship. We meet young Kate, a talented, rather hotheaded young actress from Connecticut. She had lately been labeled "box office poison" by the critics and was looking for a way to revitalize the career she was told was in jeopardy. Cue Spencer Tracy, a brilliant Irish actor from Wisconsin who had channeled his passions from fighting into acting and performing. He was already well established at the time (for the "Thin Man" movies and "Captains Courageous") as an actor who didn't "act" but just "became" his character. A feat not easily accomplished but not for lack of trying from his performing counterparts. Bette Davis once revealed how she believed herself and Tracy to be equally footed in the realm of "becoming" their characters, that they both knew they were good, and everyone else knew it too. Spencer and Katherine were set to appear in a movie together "Woman of the Year" (directed by George Stevens). Apparently upon their first meeting along with producer Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Katharine appeared wearing high heels and spoke frankly in her withering trans-Atlantic accent, "I'm afraid I'm a bit tall for you, Mr. Tracy", to which Mankiewicz said "Don't worry, Kate, he'll cut you down to size." A very telling anecdote that seemed to encapsulate their future relationship. "Woman of the Year" tells the story of a successful businesswoman who marries an "average joe" reporter, Tracy. Succeeding in the business world is her single vice, not so different from the driven perfectionism of Hepburn herself. She and Spencer make a great team, going on to film many more romantic comedies together. Their comedic timing is unmatched, the way Tracy is able to communicate his thoughts with only a look is extraordinary, contrasting with Kate's almost feverish chattering comedic performance. From here on out the two become "Kate and Spence". For some reason, these two just work well together. Their relationship is definitely far from perfect, many of Tracy's long battling demons come out to play in the form of his alcohol abuse and occasional binging. But this book reveals how they changed each other. He stood up to her stubborn will and hotheaded temper, and in return she gave him undivided devotion for their entire relationship. This sweet and often tragic romance is well explained in this book, adorable photographs of the two beaming at each other taken to publicize their movies are also included, which is nice when one is picturing the story.

Parts were interesting...that age of Hollywood is always interesting to me. The writing was good, but the fact that Tracy refused to divorce his wife for no reason, along with other things, did not leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling when I finished.

This one was a slow start but picked up once it got into the relationship between Tracy and Hepburn. It was a dream shatterer for me though. I always thought they had this ideal relationship. Boy, was I wrong! They were as normal as everybody else. Lots of Hollywood gossip in this book too!

Loved this book. Very interesting on the love story of Hepburn & Tracy.

I absolutely love Spencer Tracy in the movies. But it’s always fascinating to me to read about the real-life version of what we see on screen. Tracy was a tough character - his and Kate’s story is full of interesting twists and turns. Neither were perfect, but they were truly devoted to each other.

A bit sappy and fawning, but still a fascinating look at one of Hollywood's most famous couples. And man, Spencer Tracey had issues, yo.

This book was well written but a "Love Story"......you decide.

I love Katherine Hepburn, but this was a little slow for me. My favorite Hepburn quote: "If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married."

"There was something exceptionally sweet about it. Though they were extremely sophisticated people, he was like a little boy with her and she was like a little girl with him" -George Cukor in the book.

I have long been a fan of the Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn movies...both made together and separately. This book describes the career choices they made during their 27-year-long love affair, and how those choices impacted each other. Theirs was a love affair most people only can dream about. Although Spencer remained married to his wife, Louise (out of the guilt he bore relating to his son being deaf), his commitment and devotion to Katherine was unwavering. There are wonderful anecdotes that relate to numerous other people in the film industry during the 50's and 60's that make this book a must-read for any classic movie lover.

Book Club, book 19, April 2008, I did not read this yet