Review of Keeper of the Flame

This is one of the less famous films starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn and after having seen it again recently, I can see why. While their performances are excellent (particularly Tracy's), the movie itself is a bit hard to believe and comes on a bit too strong. I'm sure this is a result of the time in which it was made, as the film had a very strong injection of patriotism and Americanism thanks to our being brought into WWII. In many ways, the film was like a variation on MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, except that Smith dies and in the end you find out he's a Fascist!! The film begins with the death of a famous American patriot and all around great guy. However, despite a tremendous outpouring of sympathy, his widow refuses to see or talk to anyone...that is, until reporter Spencer Tracy appears. Then, slowly the story of this great man begins to unfold, though over time Tracy can sense that it's all a put on--there IS some secret that they are trying to hide from him. In the end, the secret is revealed and Hepburn inexplicably dies--and I really didn't understand why she so quickly died and Tracy seemed just fine even though he was in the same burning building! The film does have a few plot holes (like the one mentioned above) and at time it lays it on a bit thick, but still, based on the charisma of the stars, it's still well worth seeing. Just don't expect magic.