Katharine Hepburn

Taschen Movie Icons

by Alain Silver, Paul Duncan (Editor), The Kobal Collection (Photographer)

From birth, Katharine Hepburn seemed destined to become a symbol of the modern woman on stage, on screen, and in the world. Fiercely competitive, private, and independent, Hepburn was one part Olympic athlete Babe Didrikson, one part Amelia Earhart, and two parts Greta Garbo. Although often paired with the greatest actors in Hollywood--Humphrey Bogart (The African Queen); Cary Grant (Bringing Up Baby), James Stewart (The Philadelphia Story), and Spencer Tracy (Adam's Rib, Woman of the Year)--Hepburn was able to carry her own films like Summertime, Little Women, and Sylvia Scarlett over a stage and screen career that spanned eight decades. Her home was never in Hollywood (where she won four Oscars) or New York but in Connecticut, where she died lamenting "I could have accomplished three times as much. I haven't realized my full potential."

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Biography, Reference

192 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Alain Silver has co-written and co-edited a score of books including The Samurai Film, The Noir Style, The Vampire Film, Raymond Chandlers Los Angeles, director studies of David Lean and Robert Aldrich, and four Film Noir Readers. His articles have appeared in numerous film journals, newspapers, and online magazines. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and is a member of the Writers Guild of America west and the Directors Guild of America.

Reviews

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I also have Audrey H. - the two were distant relatives - but decided to read this first.)

This is a pretty nice book on her, though short of text, but rich in photographs. The short article within talks about her independent, strong, tomboy-ish character (the pants, the gender blurring). Then comes visual filmography (stills with comments, some quotes from her and others on her - John Ford's is such a sexist one - plus film posters and magazine covers). Finally there is a short life chronology, a filmography, and a small bibliography.

I do find her attractive, in her own way. I like how she could be critical of herself, in a healthy manner (but don't like so much the yellowface role in 'Dragon Seed' (1944)). I haven't seen many of her movies, but there are some interesting ones like a Joan of Arc movie, and the Little Women movie. :) Maybe I should watch some.

A quick read, quite enjoyable, and just the right book to read at the end of the year when you want to squeeze more in before the year changes.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely coffee table book is light on biography but features gorgeous stills and interesting tidbits in the captions. You can glean quite a bit from Ms. Hepburn's film career by perusing this book.

[Sabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing collectible for a Katharine Hepburn fan. Pages and pages of beautiful glossy pics!

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a lovely pictorial of Katherine.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a brief biography and filmography, mostly fantastic photos of Katharine Hepburn on various sets.

[Elaine Reinhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Very beautifully designed! Enjoyable!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

K. Hepburn (Taschen) by Alain Silver.
English / French text. Excellent survey of her films. ***

[Irene Palfy · Rating 4 out of 5]

fabulous pictures - again some infos differ from what I read about her before.. But still a real nice book series for beginners.