- Christopher Strong
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Christopher Strong 
lobby cardDirected by Dorothy Arzner Produced by David O. Selznick Written by Zoe Akins Music by Roy Webb Cinematography Bert Glennon Editing by Arthur Roberts Distributed by RKO Release date(s) March 9, 1933 Running time 78 min. Country 
United StatesLanguage English Budget $284,000 (estimated) Christopher Strong is a 1933 RKO film, directed by Dorothy Arzner and starring Katharine Hepburn in her second screen role.[1][2] The screenplay by Zoë Akins is adapted from the novel by Gilbert Frankau.
Contents
Synopsis
Originally intended as a vehicle for Ann Harding and Leslie Howard, Christopher Strong is a tale of illicit love among the English aristocracy. Hepburn plays Lady Cynthia Darrington, a strong-spirited aviatrix, who is over the age of 21 and has never had a lover or an affair because she is too busy. But she has an affair with faithful husband and member of Parliament, Christopher Strong (Colin Clive), much to the distress of his wife, Lady Elaine (Billie Burke) and his daughter, Monica (Helen Chandler), who marries her lover, Harry Rawlinson (Ralph Forbes)), when he divorces his wife because of their affair. While Monica waits for his divorce, she runs off for another affair with an Italian romeo, Carlo (Jack La Rue).
Six months after Monica and Harry are married, they announce their new arrival to elated grandparents-to-be. While Sir Christopher is celebrating with his family, Lady Cynthia learns she is pregnant, and saves Sir Christopher's moral position and political career by committing suicide setting an altitude record in her airplane.
The working title for this film was A Great Desire, and it represents the first opportunity to Hepburn to begin developing her screen image as the independent woman in the 20th-century. This was the only time in her film career than Hepburn played the "other woman," which is somewhat ironic given her infamous affair with Spencer Tracy. One of the most notable scenes in the film had Hepburn's character appearing at a costume party dressed in a stunning, form-fitting moth costume designed by Howard Greer. The musical score for this film is by Max Steiner.
Legacy
An image of Hepburn in Christopher Strong was used on the poster for the Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1975.
Notes
- ^ Variety film review; March 14, 1933, page 14.
- ^ Harrison's Reports film review; March 25, 1933, page 47.
External links
Katharine Hepburn Filmography 1930sA Bill of Divorcement (1932) • Christopher Strong (1933) • Morning Glory (1933) • Little Women (1933) • Spitfire (1934) • The Little Minister (1934) • Break of Hearts (1935) • Alice Adams (1935) • Sylvia Scarlett (1935) • Mary of Scotland (1936) • A Woman Rebels (1936) • Quality Street (1937) • Stage Door (1937) • Bringing Up Baby (1938) • Holiday (1938)1940sThe Philadelphia Story (1940) • Woman of the Year (1942) • Keeper of the Flame (1942) • Stage Door Canteen (1943) • Dragon Seed (1944) • Without Love (1945) • Undercurrent (1946) • The Sea of Grass (1947) • Song of Love (1947) • State of the Union (1948) • Adam's Rib (1949)1950sThe African Queen (1951) • Pat and Mike (1952) • Summertime (1955) • The Rainmaker (1956) • The Iron Petticoat (1956) • Desk Set (1957) • Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)1960sLong Day's Journey Into Night (1962) • Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) • The Lion in Winter (1968) • The Madwoman of Chaillot (1969)1970sThe Trojan Women (1971) • A Delicate Balance (1973) • The Glass Menagerie (1973) • Love Among the Ruins (1975) • Rooster Cogburn (1975) • Olly, Olly, Oxen Free (1978) • The Corn Is Green (1979)1980sOn Golden Pond (1981) • Grace Quigley (1985) • Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry (1986) • Laura Lansing Slept Here (1988)1990sThe Man Upstairs (1992) • This Can't Be Love (1994) • Love Affair (1994) • One Christmas (1994)
Related articles Awards and nominations • Coco • Houghton family • The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center • Katharine Houghton • Katharine Martha Houghton Hepburn • The Lake • Spencer TracyCategories:- 1933 films
- RKO Pictures films
- 1930s drama films
- Films based on novels
- Black-and-white films
- American romantic drama films
- English-language films
- Films directed by Dorothy Arzner
- Aviation films
- Films made before the MPAA Production Code
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