The Golden Age of Hollywood gave moviegoers some of the most iconic on-screen duos, such asJohn WayneandMaureen O’Hara,William PowellandMyrna Loy, andOlivia De HavillandandErrol Flynn. Although they reign as favorites among many classic movie fans,Katharine HepburnandSpencer Tracyare one pair in particular who simply captivated audiences both on and off the big screen.
Throughout their extensive careers, Hepburn and Tracy starred in nine films together, includingAdam’s Rib,Woman of the Year,andGuess Who’s Coming to Dinner. While the couple became one of the biggest box office draws, they also gained notoriety for their infamous real-life romance that lasted until Tracy’s death in 1967. While their unconventional love story sparked controversy for some, there’s no denying their authentic chemistry and humorous banter, which not only delighted audiences but also cemented them in cinema history as one of the greatest on-screen couples of all time.This list will rank all nine Hepburn and Tracy moviesbased on how well they utilize the pair, how memorable they are, and how well they have aged.
9’Desk Set' (1957)
Directed by Walter Lang
In the tech-savvy romantic comedyDesk Set, Hepburn takes on the role of Bunny Watson, a reference clerk at the library of the Federal Broadcasting Network who is stuck in a boring relationship with a television executive (Gig Young). When the library brings in a computer expert, Richard Summers (Tracy), to automate Bunny’s department, she believes his work will result in her losing her job. At first, the two strongly dislike each other, but as they spend more time together, sparks begin to fly.
Based on the 1955 playwritten byWilliam Marchant,Desk Setis a light-hearted romantic comedy that leaves much to be desired. While Hepburn and Tracy are fantastic, the film feelsa bit flat and lacks a sense of depth and direction, which causes the entire scenario to seem pretty far-fetched. Aside from the negative elements,Desk Setstillsuccessfully conveys Hepburn and Tracy’s familiar and alluring dynamic, essentially the saving grace of the film.
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8’Keeper of the Flame' (1942)
Directed by George Cukor
Academy Award winnerGeorge Cukordirects the thrilling noirKeeper of the Flame, starring Tracy as a former war correspondent, Steven O’Malley, who decides to write about a World War I hero killed in a terrible accident. Initially, Steven thinks it’s going to be a simple story to cover, but when he discovers the immense mystery surrounding the man’s death, he decides to interview his widow (Hepburn), hoping she may be able to shed some light on the case.
Keeper of the Flameoriginally earned mixed reviews from critics, some noting the film’s pace to be slow and how the second part failed to stand up to the first half. While it’s credited as one of Hepburn and Tracy’s least successful films,Keeper of the Flameis stilla worthwhile film with excellent performancesby the on-screen duo and an excitedly tense mystery. Ultimately,Keeper of the Flameisone of Hepburn and Tracy’s most underrated films.
Keeper of the Flame
7’The Sea of Grass' (1947)
Directed by Elia Kazan
Hepburn and Tracy star in the harrowing Western dramaThe Sea of Grassas a married couple, Lutie Cameron and Jim Brewton, who quickly marry after a short courtship. Lutie soon learns that her husband, who owns most of the land in town, has a reputation for being a tyrant, refusing to share any of his property with others. Furthermore, his emotional distance begins to take a toll on her.
The Sea of Grassis based on the 1936 novel by the same name written byConrad Richterand also starsMelvyn Douglas,Harry Carrey, andStrangers on a TrainstarRobert Walker. Despite earning mixed reviews, Hepburn and Tracy still givepassionate and heartfelt performances with a classic opposites-attract dynamic, proving their uncanny ability to convey more than just a happy or squabbling couple.
The Sea of Grass
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6’Without Love' (1945)
Directed by Harold S. Bucquet
Without Loveis a romantic comedy centered around a lonely widow, Jamie (Hepburn), who decides to do her patriotic duty and marry a military scientist, Patrick (Tracy), who has set up his lab in her home. Initially, the two believe a marriage can work without being in love, and as they try to keep their agreement platonic, they soon realize there’s no way to fight the love growing between them.
AlthoughWithout Lovefollows a pretty predictable plot,Hepburn and Tracy add a level of wit and snappy dialoguethat allows audiences to overlook the obvious outcome ofthis classic rom-com. Based on the popular 1942 stage play, the film adaptation was noted for straying a bit from the original story, but Hepburn and Tracy’s undeniable comedic connection and witty dynamic compensate for the minor indiscretions, cementingWithout Loveto be one of the duo’s finest films.
Without Love
5’Pat and Mike' (1952)
Hepburn stars in the romantic comedyPat and Mikeas remarkable athlete Pat Pemberton, who decides to compete in several golf matches. She successfully holds her own as the victor until her fiancé, Collier Weld (William Ching), starts coming around. When Collier asks Pat to give up on her dream and marry him, she refuses and decides to enlist sports manager Mike Conovan (Tracy) to help train her.
Pat and Mikeis an amusing rom-com that brilliantlyshowcases both Hepburn and Tracy’s comedic chops to their full extentwhile keeping a consistent flirty-type banter throughout their performances. Although the film is a traditional battle of the sexes, the main appeal ofPat and Mikelies in the equality of Hepburn and Tracy’s characters, giving it a more exciting and lovable appeal compared to traditional romantic comedies.Pat and Mikewas a success with both audiences and critics and went on to receive an Academy Awardnomination for Best Original Screenplay.
4’State of the Union' (1948)
Directed by Frank Capra
Tracy stars inFrank Capra’sState of the Unionas aircraft tycoon Grant Matthews, who is encouraged by his girlfriend and newspaper publisher, Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury), to run for President of the United States. As Matthews acts on his political ambitions, his campaign manager (Van Johnson) advises him to reunite with his estranged wife, Mary (Hepburn), for the sake of public appearances. When Mary discovers her husband’s relationship with Kay, his entire campaign begins to take a nose-dive.
State of the Unionisa clever piece of satirebased on the 1945 award-winning play written byRussel CrouseandHoward Lindsay. Similar to Capra’s other political-themed films,State of the Unionfeatures familiar themes such as morality, integrity, and loyaltyset against the dirty world of politics with a dash of unique romancethat only Hepburn and Tracy could convey with such emotional honesty.State of the Unionis full of exceptional performances, notably Lansbury, but overall, Tracy and Hepburn are undeniably the heart and soul of this Capra classic.
State of the Union
3’Woman of the Year' (1942)
Directed by George Stevens
Hepburn and Tracy star in the romantic comedyWoman of the Yearas Tess Harding, a political journalist, and Sam Craig, a sports writer, who have nothing in common except that they both work for the same newspaper. Despite their mutual dislike for each other, they eventually fall in love and get married. When Tess' consuming work ethic disrupts the traditional gender roles in the relationship, tensions begin to rise between the husband and wife.
Woman of the Yearmarked Hepburn and Tracy’s first film together and is consideredthe epitome of the classic battle of the sexes rom-com. The two are purely spectacular in their first collaboration together,complimenting each other with a perfect blend of humor and romancethat gives an incredibly natural and convincing impression to audiences.Woman of the Yearwas a massive success, earning Hepburn an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Woman of the Year
2’Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner' (1967)
Directed by Stanley Kramer
Hepburn and Tracy star inone ofStanley Kramer’s best films,Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, as Matt and Christina Drayton, a liberal couple who are surprised when their daughter, Joanna (Katharine Houghton), returns home engaged to a black man, Dr. John Prentice (Sidney Poitier). Although Matt and Christina are supportive of their relationship, they still worry about the challenges the young couple will face from others, and when John’s parents arrive, they realize they are not the only ones with concerns.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinnerwas a pivotal film of its time that boldlyaddresses interracial marriage and the social issues surrounding racism and discriminationat the time. The film does a phenomenal job of conveying both sides of the same coin with humility and unwavering honesty, making it extremely powerful and moving.Guess Who’s Coming to DinnerwasTracy’s last film appearance, delivering one final triumph of a performance with his beloved co-star. According toAn Affair to Remember: The Remarkable Love Story of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer TracybyChristopher P. Andersen, Hepburn never watched the film, noting that it would be too painful for her to endure.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
1’Adam’s Rib' (1949)
Hepburn and Tracy find themselves at opposite ends of the law in the hilarious romantic comedyAdam’s Rib, consideredthe duo’s all-time best film together. Hepburn stars as defense attorney Amanda Bonner, who is married to local prosecutor Adam (Tracy). Their relationship is put to an unexpected test when Amanda defends a woman (Judy Holliday) who is being prosecuted by Adam for shooting her husband. As the couple battles it out in the courtroom, their legal rivalry finds its way into their home, leading to a series of comedic showdowns and antics.
Hepburn and Tracy are at the top of their game inAdam’s Rib, demonstrating their incomparable ability to be both charming and challenging at the same time.Adam’s Ribis full of polished laughs topped off with saucy chemistry between Hepburn and Tracy, resulting in an all-around entertaining rom-com, whichLeonard Matlindeemed in his2015 Movie Guideto beone of Hollywood’s greatest romantic comedies about the battle of the sexes. In 2008,the ADI ranked it the seventh-best romantic comedyof all time, cementing its place in motion picture history.
Adam’s Rib
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