Out of MGM, Pat and Mike is directed by George Cukor and written by Ruth Gordon & Garson Kanin (Oscar nominated). It stars Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn & Aldo Ray. David Raksin scores the music and William H. Daniels photographs it on location around Los Angeles. Most of the golfing scenes were filmed at the Riviera Country Club, with other work shot at Occidental College. The film is notable for featuring many sports star cameos, some who show up include: Babe Zaharias, Betty Hicks, Helen Dettweiler, Don Budge, Gussie Moran, Beverly Hanson and Alice Marble. In the support cast are Charles Bronson, Frank Richards, Jim Backus, and Chuck Connors.
Hugely efficient romantic comedy that sees Hepburn as sprightly PE teacher, Pat Pemberton, who is courted for stardom by shifty promoter Mike Conovan (Tracy). The trouble is is that as talented as Pat is, she goes to pieces when watched by her beau, Davie Hucko (Ray). Pretty soon Pat starts responding to Mike's methods of coaching, and could there even be love in the air too? OK, so it doesn't hold any surprises in how it pans out, but the fun is in getting there. The script is tight as a padlock and Cukor gets great performances out of his two leads. Notably Hepburn, who gets to show her undoubted athletic ability. Added bonus is Raksin's score, which is breezy with jazzy tones and sits nicely in context to the material playing out.
Not as sharp as Adam's Rib, but clever and funny in equal measure. 7/10
Hugely efficient romantic comedy that sees Hepburn as sprightly PE teacher, Pat Pemberton, who is courted for stardom by shifty promoter Mike Conovan (Tracy). The trouble is is that as talented as Pat is, she goes to pieces when watched by her beau, Davie Hucko (Ray). Pretty soon Pat starts responding to Mike's methods of coaching, and could there even be love in the air too? OK, so it doesn't hold any surprises in how it pans out, but the fun is in getting there. The script is tight as a padlock and Cukor gets great performances out of his two leads. Notably Hepburn, who gets to show her undoubted athletic ability. Added bonus is Raksin's score, which is breezy with jazzy tones and sits nicely in context to the material playing out.
Not as sharp as Adam's Rib, but clever and funny in equal measure. 7/10