• Rating:
• Genre: Mystery
• Movie Type: Psychological Drama
• Themes: Members of the Press
• Director: George Cukor
• Main Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Whorf, Margaret Wycherly, Forrest Tucker
• Release Year: 1942
• Country: US
• Run Time: 101 minutes

Plot

If you're wondering what Citizen Kane might have looked like had it been produced by MGM, we submit for your approval Keeper of the Flame. War correspondent Spencer Tracy is assigned to write the life story of a recently deceased super-patriot. One would suppose that the much-beloved decedent's life would be an open book, yet his widow Katharine Hepburn refuses to release any details concerning her late husband. Tracy gains Hepburn's confidence, and she agrees to help him with his article. Several curious incidents lead Tracy to believe that Hepburn was in some way responsible for her husband's death. While this is not entirely the case, Tracy stumbles upon a truth that has been carefully hidden from the public by the dead man's "damage control" people. Adapted by Donald Ogden Stewart from a novel by I. A. R. Wylie, Keeper of the Flame is perhaps the most dour of the Tracy/Hepburn vehicles; those expecting the usual battle-of-the-sexes repartee between the two stars would be better off with Adam's Rib or Pat and Mike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Spencer Tracy - Stephen O'Malley
• Katharine Hepburn - Christine Forrest
• Richard Whorf - Clive Kerndon
• Margaret Wycherly - Mrs. Forrest
• Forrest Tucker - Geoffrey Midford

Frank Craven - Dr. Fielding; Horace McNally - Freddie Ridges; Percy Kilbride - Orion Peabody; Audrey Christie - Jane Harding; Darryl Hickman - Jeb Richards; Donald Meek - Mr. Arbuthnot; Howard Da Silva - Jason Richards; Clifford Brooke - William; Diana Douglas; Dick Elliott - Auctioneer; Rex Evans - John; Donald Gallagher; Sam Harris; Crauford Kent - Ambassador; Manart Kippen; Mary McLeod - Janet; Mickey Martin - Messenger Boy; Louis Mason - Gardener; Edward McWade - Lawyer; Harold Miller - Man; William Newell - Piggot; Rita Quigley - Susan; Jay Ward - Pete; Blanche Yurka - Anna; Cliff Danielson - Reporter; Art Howard; Bob Pittard - Tim

Credit

Adrian - Costume Designer; George Cukor - Director; William H. Daniels - Cinematographer; Cedric Gibbons - Art Director; Bronislau Kaper - Composer (Music Score); Jack D. Moore - Set Designer; James Newcom - Editor; Warren Newcombe - Special Effects; Victor Saville - Producer; Donald Ogden Stewart - Screenwriter; Lyle Wheeler - Art Director; Edwin B. Willis - Set Designer; Jack Dawn - Makeup; I.A.R. Wylie - Screenwriter; I.A.R. Wylie - Book Author

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