Influential investigative reporter Spencer Tracy is assigned to tell the story of the life of a late philanthropist whose sudden death shocks the nation. Having been a very prominent humanitarian, the late man left behind a battery of secrets held tightly by his family, which includes his seemingly devoted widow (Katharine Hepburn) and his reclusive mother (Margaret Wycherly). It is difficult at first for Spencer to get through to Katharine, but once he does, she slowly begins to confide in him. In the process of investigating the man's life, Tracy unconsciously begins assisting his survivors in the various aspects of his life. This brings to light the man's true nature and the revelation that his public reputation was not necessarily what his own family knew about him.
"Keeper of the Flame" is a sleeper Tracy/Hepburn movie, one of their least famous, but well worth a look. It is also their only drama together other than the western epic "Sea of Grass". In many ways, the dead protagonist of "Keeper of the Flame" is like the dead "Rebecca" of Daphne Du Maurier's novel and the 1940 Hitchcock movie. What everyone around them perceives this person to be is definitely not who they really were, and the revelation of this dead man's true nature comes as a total shock to Tracy who now has to make the choice of how to proceed with his expose on the man's life. Should he reveal the truth and not destroy the legacy the man left behind, or should he keep his mouth shut and keep the legend safe? Also, he has to face the dilemma of Hepburn's role in her husband's demise as well as members of the late man's organization who are desperate to keep their activities quiet. This leaves Hepburn and Tracy in a life-or-death situation that results in an emotional conclusion.
It goes without saying that Hepburn and Tracy are excellent. In this, their third pairing, they don't share as much a romantic relationship as they do a kinship of understanding. While it is implied that a romance could loom on the horizon, that isn't the focus of their story. Hepburn's widow is obviously a vital woman whose passion for life has been damaged by the truth, and Tracy's reporter is a man filled with integrity that is threatened by what he finds out and how he has to deal with it. Howard da Silva is excellent as a distant relative who at first seems darkly mysterious, but has noble reasons behind his facade. The wonderful Audrey Christie is great as a reporter pal of Tracy's. Wycherly shines in her brief role as the grieving mother, while stage legend Blanche Yurka is sadly wasted as the Mrs. Danvers like housekeeper that keeps her eye on the mother. There are also some fine moments with young Darryl Hickman as Da Silva's son who takes a shine to Tracy and assists him in meeting Hepburn.
"Keeper of the Flame" is a film that is still socially relevant today as it warns the viewer to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. What may seem honest up close may not be. As an examination of a dead man's life, it can also be compared to "Citizen Kane", if not as engrossing because the man never appears on camera. But viewers will be able to identify people in the public eye who may or may not be guilty of manipulating them into believing that they are someone they are not.
"Keeper of the Flame" is a sleeper Tracy/Hepburn movie, one of their least famous, but well worth a look. It is also their only drama together other than the western epic "Sea of Grass". In many ways, the dead protagonist of "Keeper of the Flame" is like the dead "Rebecca" of Daphne Du Maurier's novel and the 1940 Hitchcock movie. What everyone around them perceives this person to be is definitely not who they really were, and the revelation of this dead man's true nature comes as a total shock to Tracy who now has to make the choice of how to proceed with his expose on the man's life. Should he reveal the truth and not destroy the legacy the man left behind, or should he keep his mouth shut and keep the legend safe? Also, he has to face the dilemma of Hepburn's role in her husband's demise as well as members of the late man's organization who are desperate to keep their activities quiet. This leaves Hepburn and Tracy in a life-or-death situation that results in an emotional conclusion.
It goes without saying that Hepburn and Tracy are excellent. In this, their third pairing, they don't share as much a romantic relationship as they do a kinship of understanding. While it is implied that a romance could loom on the horizon, that isn't the focus of their story. Hepburn's widow is obviously a vital woman whose passion for life has been damaged by the truth, and Tracy's reporter is a man filled with integrity that is threatened by what he finds out and how he has to deal with it. Howard da Silva is excellent as a distant relative who at first seems darkly mysterious, but has noble reasons behind his facade. The wonderful Audrey Christie is great as a reporter pal of Tracy's. Wycherly shines in her brief role as the grieving mother, while stage legend Blanche Yurka is sadly wasted as the Mrs. Danvers like housekeeper that keeps her eye on the mother. There are also some fine moments with young Darryl Hickman as Da Silva's son who takes a shine to Tracy and assists him in meeting Hepburn.
"Keeper of the Flame" is a film that is still socially relevant today as it warns the viewer to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. What may seem honest up close may not be. As an examination of a dead man's life, it can also be compared to "Citizen Kane", if not as engrossing because the man never appears on camera. But viewers will be able to identify people in the public eye who may or may not be guilty of manipulating them into believing that they are someone they are not.