Christopher Strong *** (1933, Katharine Hepburn, Colin Clive, Billie Burke) – Classic Movie Review 3418

Katharine Hepburn does well in director Dorothy Arzner’s 1933 romantic drama as strong-willed but dashing aviatrix Lady Cynthia Darrington who falls for English member of Parliament Sir Christopher Strong (Colin Clive), threatening his happy marriage to wife Lady Strong (Billie Burke) and both their careers. [Spoiler alert] Strong won’t leave his wife even when Lady Cynthia becomes pregnant.

Hepburn’s interesting follow-up to her 1932 début A Bill of Divorcement, which had made her an overnight star at the age of 24, still fascinates today. However, the public of the day didn’t particularly like Christopher Strong, though it still made a profit. On a $284,000 cost, it took $386,000 in US rentals.

Even if the film now seems stilted and Colin Clive’s performance is particularly creaky, its feminist protagonist, prototype Hepburn performance and woman director Arzner all deservedly have their admirers today. There a female screen-writer, too, in Zoe Akins, who adapts the screenplay from Gilbert Frankau’s novel.

Also in the cast are Helen Chandler, Ralph Forbes, Irene Browne, Jack LaRue and Desmond Roberts.

Colin Clive and Helen Chandler, who play father and daughter, were famous from their starring roles in Frankenstein (1931) and Dracula (1931).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3418

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