Katharine Hepburn: Woman of the Century

Overview

An interview with author and journalist Claudia Roth Pierpont on the significance of Woman of the Year (George Stevens, 1942) on actor Katharine Hepburn's acting career and the evolution of Hepburn's status as a feminist icon. She cites Hepburn's individuality in an era that adhered to rigid sexual roles and Hepburn's commitment to portraying strong women and constant need to reinvent herself to maintain her viability as an actress. Pierpont also reveals Woman of the Year mirrored the life of reporter Dorothy Thompson, and discusses two reasons why the film's ending was ultimately changed.

Production

The Criterion Collection