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Tracy and Hepburn; an intimate memoir
Some slight spine creasing and edge wear. Bend on front cover spine edge and tape on bottom spine edge. Running man stamp on inside front page. Back cover has a small tear on edge and some scratching. Top edge has a small black mark, no other marks and intact. Ships very quickly and packaged carefully!
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
40 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read
About the author
Garson Kanin
90 books17 followersGarson Kanin was an American actor, director and writer, working both on stage and screen. He was married to Ruth Gordon, with whom he wrote several screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 1, 2013
This book was amazing and never boring ~ well written, and with such affection for his friends of so many years (meaning Spencer and Katharine), but I know that Kate was very disturbed and betrayed by Mr. Kanin writing this book, so I have some trouble with that. Mr. Karin even writes an entire page about how important privacy was to Kate, and yet, he completely exposes their personalities in this book. Part of me is thrilled beyond belief that he did (the selfish part of me, as a fan and reader), but another part of me is disappointed in the author for writing it, and so soon after Spencer's death. Kate did not speak to Mr. Kanin for decades because of it ~ I wonder if he felt it was all worth it.
February 16, 2022
I greatly enjoyed reading this memoir, but I couldn't shift a slight feeling of guilt that wouldn't go away.
Garson Kanin was a great personal friend of Katharine Hepburn's, and early on in the book he writes:
"It is odd that Kate, for so many years a public figure, should be a private person. Privacy to her is more than a desired condition. It is a passion, a cause, an emotional necessity in the shape of religion. Her life, she maintains, is none of your business."
If he knows that this is none of our business, then why has he written 250ish pages of things that he, as a close acquaintance, knows his subjects wouldn't have wanted us to know?
As a Hepburn fan, I'm grateful for any insights outside of the screen persona, but there is something about this that feels like a betrayal. Considering this was published only a couple of years after Spencer Tracy's death, and many years before the death of his wife Louise, I can only imagine what Kate must have thought. The book is by no means a salacious revealing of secrets, but it's kind of awkward nonetheless. Written with love by Kanin, but was it worth what must have been a huge crack in their friendship?
Garson Kanin was a great personal friend of Katharine Hepburn's, and early on in the book he writes:
"It is odd that Kate, for so many years a public figure, should be a private person. Privacy to her is more than a desired condition. It is a passion, a cause, an emotional necessity in the shape of religion. Her life, she maintains, is none of your business."
If he knows that this is none of our business, then why has he written 250ish pages of things that he, as a close acquaintance, knows his subjects wouldn't have wanted us to know?
As a Hepburn fan, I'm grateful for any insights outside of the screen persona, but there is something about this that feels like a betrayal. Considering this was published only a couple of years after Spencer Tracy's death, and many years before the death of his wife Louise, I can only imagine what Kate must have thought. The book is by no means a salacious revealing of secrets, but it's kind of awkward nonetheless. Written with love by Kanin, but was it worth what must have been a huge crack in their friendship?
February 11, 2009
If your looking for a book about Tracy and Hepburn's relationship together, this is not the book. It is however a wonderful look into the lives of Hepburn and Tracy individually as told by a dear friend.
April 10, 2018
It wasn't at all what I was expecting. Turns out it's more about the friendship the author had with Spence and Kate. He also jumped from place to place, which I didn't like at all.
If you're looking for a read about Spencer's relationship with Katharine in general, I would highly recommend An Affair to Remember by Christopher Andersen and not this book.
If you're looking for a read about Spencer's relationship with Katharine in general, I would highly recommend An Affair to Remember by Christopher Andersen and not this book.
September 29, 2012
It is just what it says it is... an intimate portrait of the true lives of Hepburn and Tracy from someone who was there.
August 17, 2024
Garson Kanin’s Tracy and Hepburn: An Intimate Memoir offers a fascinating, insider’s look into the lives of two Hollywood legends—Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Written by someone who knew them intimately, this book provides a compelling mix of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and heartfelt reflections. For fans of classic cinema and those interested in the human aspects behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Kanin’s memoir is a captivating read that stands the test of time, even as it reveals the complexities of this famous partnership.
Kanin, a well-regarded writer, director, and producer, was not only a professional colleague of Tracy and Hepburn but also one of their closest friends. He and his wife, actress and writer Ruth Gordon, shared a unique camaraderie with the couple that spanned three decades. The development of Tracy and Hepburn stemmed from Kanin’s desire to document this remarkable friendship, a bond that transcended the professional world of Hollywood and entered the realm of true personal connection.
The memoir was published in 1971, just a few years after Tracy’s death in 1967. This timing gave Kanin the space to reflect on the couple’s relationship without the immediate emotional proximity to Tracy’s passing. Hepburn, notoriously private, initially had reservations about the memoir, yet Kanin proceeded with the book, believing that the story of their relationship was too significant to remain untold. His approach was respectful, though some speculated whether the book caused tension between Kanin and Hepburn due to its intimate revelations.
In Tracy and Hepburn, Kanin provides readers with a mix of storytelling that blends the personal with the professional. He recounts moments of private dinners, trips, and conversations that reveal the depth of Tracy and Hepburn’s relationship, which was often shrouded in mystery due to Tracy’s marriage and their mutual desire for privacy. Kanin’s portrayal is balanced; he celebrates their partnership without idealizing it, acknowledging Tracy’s struggles with alcoholism and Hepburn’s fiercely independent spirit.
The memoir also offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of their most famous collaborations on screen. As someone who worked closely with them, Kanin is able to discuss the dynamics on set, the creative process, and how their off-screen relationship influenced their on-screen chemistry. The book’s narrative is enriched by Kanin’s own experiences, making it not just a biography of Tracy and Hepburn but also a reflection of his own life intertwined with theirs  .
Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Tracy and Hepburn was met with a warm reception from both the public and critics. Readers appreciated Kanin’s candid, yet affectionate, portrayal of the two stars. The memoir was praised for its wit, insight, and the depth of emotion that Kanin brought to the narrative. It quickly became a bestseller, solidifying Kanin’s reputation as a skilled storyteller with a unique perspective on Hollywood’s golden age.
In the years since its publication, the book has remained a favorite among classic film enthusiasts and continues to be a key reference for those interested in Tracy and Hepburn’s relationship. It has been lauded for offering a rare, authentic glimpse into a world that often feels distant and unattainable. However, some modern readers may find certain aspects of the memoir, particularly its focus on the private lives of the stars, somewhat intrusive by today’s standards of celebrity privacy.
Overall, Garson Kanin’s Tracy and Hepburn: An Intimate Memoir deserves its place as a cherished piece of Hollywood history. It is both a love letter to his friends and a thoughtful examination of two of cinema’s most enduring icons. While the book occasionally treads into deeply personal territory, Kanin’s reverence for Tracy and Hepburn shines through, making it a compelling read that resonates with warmth and humanity. For those who appreciate the golden era of Hollywood or are simply curious about the real lives behind the legends, this memoir is a must-read, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Kanin, a well-regarded writer, director, and producer, was not only a professional colleague of Tracy and Hepburn but also one of their closest friends. He and his wife, actress and writer Ruth Gordon, shared a unique camaraderie with the couple that spanned three decades. The development of Tracy and Hepburn stemmed from Kanin’s desire to document this remarkable friendship, a bond that transcended the professional world of Hollywood and entered the realm of true personal connection.
The memoir was published in 1971, just a few years after Tracy’s death in 1967. This timing gave Kanin the space to reflect on the couple’s relationship without the immediate emotional proximity to Tracy’s passing. Hepburn, notoriously private, initially had reservations about the memoir, yet Kanin proceeded with the book, believing that the story of their relationship was too significant to remain untold. His approach was respectful, though some speculated whether the book caused tension between Kanin and Hepburn due to its intimate revelations.
In Tracy and Hepburn, Kanin provides readers with a mix of storytelling that blends the personal with the professional. He recounts moments of private dinners, trips, and conversations that reveal the depth of Tracy and Hepburn’s relationship, which was often shrouded in mystery due to Tracy’s marriage and their mutual desire for privacy. Kanin’s portrayal is balanced; he celebrates their partnership without idealizing it, acknowledging Tracy’s struggles with alcoholism and Hepburn’s fiercely independent spirit.
The memoir also offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of their most famous collaborations on screen. As someone who worked closely with them, Kanin is able to discuss the dynamics on set, the creative process, and how their off-screen relationship influenced their on-screen chemistry. The book’s narrative is enriched by Kanin’s own experiences, making it not just a biography of Tracy and Hepburn but also a reflection of his own life intertwined with theirs  .
Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Tracy and Hepburn was met with a warm reception from both the public and critics. Readers appreciated Kanin’s candid, yet affectionate, portrayal of the two stars. The memoir was praised for its wit, insight, and the depth of emotion that Kanin brought to the narrative. It quickly became a bestseller, solidifying Kanin’s reputation as a skilled storyteller with a unique perspective on Hollywood’s golden age.
In the years since its publication, the book has remained a favorite among classic film enthusiasts and continues to be a key reference for those interested in Tracy and Hepburn’s relationship. It has been lauded for offering a rare, authentic glimpse into a world that often feels distant and unattainable. However, some modern readers may find certain aspects of the memoir, particularly its focus on the private lives of the stars, somewhat intrusive by today’s standards of celebrity privacy.
Overall, Garson Kanin’s Tracy and Hepburn: An Intimate Memoir deserves its place as a cherished piece of Hollywood history. It is both a love letter to his friends and a thoughtful examination of two of cinema’s most enduring icons. While the book occasionally treads into deeply personal territory, Kanin’s reverence for Tracy and Hepburn shines through, making it a compelling read that resonates with warmth and humanity. For those who appreciate the golden era of Hollywood or are simply curious about the real lives behind the legends, this memoir is a must-read, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
September 29, 2022
okay so, I kept reading this for the anecdotes about Tracy and Hepburn, as an eternal Hepburn admirer. There were good insights into the mundane details of their life experiences. However, just because Kanin was in Hollywood does not make him a writer. Stylistically, the writing was very sporadic, stream of consciousness but not in a pleasant way. more like jolting memories. the order did not make sense to me, and almost disturbed the anecdotes, some of which were intriguing or insightful. but many of them were not. a lot of out to dinner scenes, or just details of their everyday lives. not every moment in a person's life is significant or imbued with meaning. I found that Kanin was trying to ascribe extreme importance, when many times, the scenes/details were kind of boring. overall, I think there are other books about Spencer and Tracy that are more eloquent or selective in the stories they tell, that may be worth reading over Kanin's account.
January 3, 2019
I couldn't finish this book because I found it too boring. I usually like books with short anecdotes and funny stories, but this just was not interesting or entertaining to me. I love Kate and Spence, so I tried to get through it, but it just wasn't working for me. I read that Kate was very upset with Kanin for writing this book, and I can't understand why he put their many years of friendship on the line for this. Did he think it was worth it in the long run? I'll shelve this one and maybe try to come back to it later, but I think it's in the "sell" pile. I have a few books by Kate and they were far better written and more exciting than this.
January 2, 2020
This book is written in that familiar, saucy way that good storytellers at cocktail parties have. So it’s a very entertaining read. But only *very* dedicated fans of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn should attempt it because the author drops so many casual references to their oeuvres, their lives, and life in the 40s and 50s that you’ll be googling constantly if you aren’t already well-versed in their history.
July 19, 2020
A first rate biography about two of the best, by their pal who was there when Kate and Spence began working together. Dozens and dozens of anecdotes about acting, vacationing and just hanging out, with a trove of insider stuff about these two and plenty of other famous names.i now have a list of a half dozen films with Tracy and Hepburn that I need to watch.
September 7, 2017
It was nice to see a more personal view of the two, both as a couple and as individuals. It was also funny to see his take on them as people. I laughed out loud so many times. 3.5/5
May 6, 2018
Garson tells his memories of the acting duo in a random way.
April 14, 2019
I enjoyed reading this because it brings up people who are long gone and it’s interesting so think about them again. I am now wanting to watch all the really old movies!
June 13, 2020
Read in 1972. Kanin was a great writer and his storys of Hollywood were always fascinating.
March 18, 2024
if you like old movies, this is the book for you!
August 24, 2024
As someone who grew up on the same street as one of Hepburn's relatives, I always found her fascinating. I wrote her years ago and she wrote back, "Dear X, Thank you for your enthusiasm, and good luck to you." It was on her personal stationary, with the words Katharine Houghton Hepburn prominently displayed on the header. It was signed by her secretary, I am guessing. The letter was typed, and I of course cherished it (sadly I can no longer find it).
As an ageing fart, I no longer hold Hepburn in the same kind of esteem as I did growing up or in my twenties. I read this book when I was around twenty years old, I think. I read this book more for her presence than Tracy's although he was, in my view, a better actor than his alleged partner. Some of her acting was, in fact, rather stagey (including the fake accent many have commented on). Still, she gave wonderful performances in films like Bringing up Baby and On Golden Pond, to name just a couple. Many have claimed that Hepburn was actually in love with her friend Laura Harding, and that she and Tracy were merely friends.
Hepburn was certainly talented, and a product of a society that turns mere actors into icons, which I now consider to be the epitome of sickness. We should not revere nor worship other human beings.
That being said, I still find Hollywood a wee bit fascinating. This memoir was predictably disliked by Hepburn, who stated that she refused to even talk about what Garson Kanin, a dear friend, had done. Kanin milked two long-standing friendships for the public to consume and cashed in.
My view of this book is fairly simple: it is extremely well written, as Kanin was a fantastically erudite writer/director married to Ruth Gordon (yes, the one who starred in Harold and Maude). And, it puts Hepburn and Tracy on rather grotesque pedestals. If women start wearing pants in a hotel lobby (whereas before none did), that's because Hepburn once visited said lobby wearing pants. She is treated as some kind of minor deity. Kanin seems to defer to both her and Tracy throughout the book, afraid of provoking Tracy's legendary temper. One that Hepburn seems to have suffered from as well. Hepburn emerges as someone fully aware of her fame and more than happy to enjoy its benefits. Tracy's wry humor is captured brilliantly (one also wonders how Kanin seems to have replicated many conversations word for word - was he miked?)
This book is full of anecdotes, many fascinating, many annoying. Hepburn was not a saint if all the gossip is true, that she was carrying on an affair with married Tracy for years. She was by her own admission selfish and self-absorbed, and in interviews comes across as stridently narcissistic. She was also by all accounts good to her friends, generous to other actors (I enjoyed the story about Judy Holliday), and an intelligent woman with a social conscience. She was also charming and articulate.
If you want to read a memoir that treats both subjects as minor deities who can do no wrong, this is not a bad choice, mostly because Kanin is such an excellent writer.
As an ageing fart, I no longer hold Hepburn in the same kind of esteem as I did growing up or in my twenties. I read this book when I was around twenty years old, I think. I read this book more for her presence than Tracy's although he was, in my view, a better actor than his alleged partner. Some of her acting was, in fact, rather stagey (including the fake accent many have commented on). Still, she gave wonderful performances in films like Bringing up Baby and On Golden Pond, to name just a couple. Many have claimed that Hepburn was actually in love with her friend Laura Harding, and that she and Tracy were merely friends.
Hepburn was certainly talented, and a product of a society that turns mere actors into icons, which I now consider to be the epitome of sickness. We should not revere nor worship other human beings.
That being said, I still find Hollywood a wee bit fascinating. This memoir was predictably disliked by Hepburn, who stated that she refused to even talk about what Garson Kanin, a dear friend, had done. Kanin milked two long-standing friendships for the public to consume and cashed in.
My view of this book is fairly simple: it is extremely well written, as Kanin was a fantastically erudite writer/director married to Ruth Gordon (yes, the one who starred in Harold and Maude). And, it puts Hepburn and Tracy on rather grotesque pedestals. If women start wearing pants in a hotel lobby (whereas before none did), that's because Hepburn once visited said lobby wearing pants. She is treated as some kind of minor deity. Kanin seems to defer to both her and Tracy throughout the book, afraid of provoking Tracy's legendary temper. One that Hepburn seems to have suffered from as well. Hepburn emerges as someone fully aware of her fame and more than happy to enjoy its benefits. Tracy's wry humor is captured brilliantly (one also wonders how Kanin seems to have replicated many conversations word for word - was he miked?)
This book is full of anecdotes, many fascinating, many annoying. Hepburn was not a saint if all the gossip is true, that she was carrying on an affair with married Tracy for years. She was by her own admission selfish and self-absorbed, and in interviews comes across as stridently narcissistic. She was also by all accounts good to her friends, generous to other actors (I enjoyed the story about Judy Holliday), and an intelligent woman with a social conscience. She was also charming and articulate.
If you want to read a memoir that treats both subjects as minor deities who can do no wrong, this is not a bad choice, mostly because Kanin is such an excellent writer.
October 24, 2010
By the time I happen upon this amazing story at a San Francisco book fair in 1995, it has clearly seen better days. But that's what I love about used books. You can tell the ones that really stirred an interest in the previous owner. It's as if you can feel and interpret their reading experience by the imprints they left on the pages and unbeknownst to him or her was obviously donated when their backs were turned or as the result of death and the distribution of worldly possessions. That can be the only explanation for letting this book go as it has in fact been a part of my collection since the lucky day I found it.
We all know the story of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, at least I hope we all do. Not to know it is missing out on one of the most "romantic legends" ever known. This book lets you get to know them better, individually as well as what they meant to each other. They never married, Spencer was already married and being the staunch Catholic he was, divorce was not an option. Katharine had her dalliances with many famous men as well as a marriage that ended in divorce, but her love and affection seemed always to be placed with Spencer. How did they survive their life together in this way? Garson Kanin explains it in this way, "The success of their relationship was founded on many things: a mutual respect and high regard for each other's talent; and exchanged generosity; a total lack of possessiveness; and, perhaps more than anything else, a gloriously shared sense of humor." They were not hopelessly in love, they understood life's circumstances and the risk in getting hurt.
We all know the story of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, at least I hope we all do. Not to know it is missing out on one of the most "romantic legends" ever known. This book lets you get to know them better, individually as well as what they meant to each other. They never married, Spencer was already married and being the staunch Catholic he was, divorce was not an option. Katharine had her dalliances with many famous men as well as a marriage that ended in divorce, but her love and affection seemed always to be placed with Spencer. How did they survive their life together in this way? Garson Kanin explains it in this way, "The success of their relationship was founded on many things: a mutual respect and high regard for each other's talent; and exchanged generosity; a total lack of possessiveness; and, perhaps more than anything else, a gloriously shared sense of humor." They were not hopelessly in love, they understood life's circumstances and the risk in getting hurt.
July 31, 2018
I wish that I could have been friends with Katharine Hepburn. There's so many great anecdotes in this book. Probably the best is Kate looking at a house with a realtor and disappearing to take a shower, justifying it with, "Well, if I'm going to be living here, I ought to know what the shower's like", and Kanin's bemused observation that she makes a fair point. Also the story about Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier's wedding is fantastic too.
September 2, 2014
On vacation, and picked this book up off the rental home's bookshelf and strangely I could not put it down. I never cared for Katherine Hepburn and by the end of this memoir, still not sure I do. Yet Kanin writes well and you really get a lot of Hollywood stories and background. You get nothing about Spencer and Hepburn's relationship. There is a lot of recent speculation were they lovers or were they gay friends and this book won't answer that question. Kanin was a friend from that era when a star's privacy was respected. At the end of Hepburn's life she states she never wanted to be an actress really, she just wanted to be famous. Luckily, she was born in a time when you actually had to DO something to be famous. Ultimately I was more intrigued with Spencer Tracy and left curious to know more. This book focuses too much on Hepburn and Kanin's friendship. But I still enjoyed it immensely.
November 4, 2014
When I began reading this memoir, I commented that it must be very pleasant to have a dear friend recall many little episodes of your life in a most affectionate light. And it is.
If that friend has, on occasion, observed you being not-exactly-at-your-sweetest, it's only fair that he relate some of those occasions as well.
But if you are the reader of these collected anecdotes, you may find it slightly offputting to have every single one of them presented as just the darlingest thing ever. They make a fuss at every restaurant you treat them to-- how cute. She spits in someone's face-- well, he deserved it.
Skim lightly and come to your own conclusions about everyone's behavior, and you will find that this book does contain some interesting personal anecdotes. Its view into the workaday struggles of actors' and writers' careers is informative.
If that friend has, on occasion, observed you being not-exactly-at-your-sweetest, it's only fair that he relate some of those occasions as well.
But if you are the reader of these collected anecdotes, you may find it slightly offputting to have every single one of them presented as just the darlingest thing ever. They make a fuss at every restaurant you treat them to-- how cute. She spits in someone's face-- well, he deserved it.
Skim lightly and come to your own conclusions about everyone's behavior, and you will find that this book does contain some interesting personal anecdotes. Its view into the workaday struggles of actors' and writers' careers is informative.
June 14, 2007
I haven't finished this yet, but I just read something in the NYT that blew my mind. Here Kanin is going on and on about how great Tracy and Hepburn were together, and lo and behold:
"A new biography, “Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn,” by William J. Mann, has reopened the question of her sexual identity, painting a picture of her as a sex-averse woman with lesbian leanings who preferred to spend her time with closeted gay men, one of whom, Mr. Mann says, was Spencer Tracy." [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/mov...]
Why should this surprise me? The fact that it did is uncomfortably revealing re: my personal problems.
Should I even bother finishing the book?
"A new biography, “Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn,” by William J. Mann, has reopened the question of her sexual identity, painting a picture of her as a sex-averse woman with lesbian leanings who preferred to spend her time with closeted gay men, one of whom, Mr. Mann says, was Spencer Tracy." [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/mov...]
Why should this surprise me? The fact that it did is uncomfortably revealing re: my personal problems.
Should I even bother finishing the book?
July 4, 2016
One of my absolute favorite things to do is to peruse used book stores for little gems from the past. This book, written when I was still in high school (now retired), certainly ranks among diamonds as something revered and treasured. Garson Kanin was a renown playwright, author and director (married to the irrepressible, Ruth Gordon, from "Harold and Maude" fame) who proudly called Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn his best friends. And they were. It is so refreshing to read about great stars who were truly great talents and great people. Garson's love for his friends pops out of each page. There were moments when I cried, I laughed, and I remembered. If you like any aspect of the theater and/or the cinema, this one should be in your library.
February 5, 2017
Katherine Hepburn was an amazing woman. She worked hard, she loved life and she lived her own way. Her and Spencer Tracy had an amazing love story. He was a good man and lived well, without the day to day gossip we see so much of today. He never divorced his wife, and he never flaunted his time with Kate. They kept their love between themselves and a few beloved friends. What a wonderful story. I have begun to watch Hepburn and Tracy films, and it makes them more enjoyable when you know some of the behind the scenes stories that go along with them.
April 14, 2012
A lovely and loving intimate memoir of Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. It's like sitting down with their old friend and listening to him tell you all his favorite stories about his two friends and his wife while weaving in their biographies.
Two very interesting people fleshed out as real and admirable.
"Wouldn't it be great if people could live as suddenly as they died?" - Katherine Hepburn
Two very interesting people fleshed out as real and admirable.
"Wouldn't it be great if people could live as suddenly as they died?" - Katherine Hepburn
June 27, 2013
I was a little disappointed in the content of the book. The title implies that the book is about Spencer Tracy and Kathrine Hepburn and their relationship. However, the book is more about the relationship that the author, Garson Kanin had with Tracy and Hepburn, individually and as a couple. While there are some good stories, and I got a little insight into both Hepburn and Tracy, I don't feel I learned much about them as a couple.
November 20, 2015
This is an excellent memoir of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn written by one of their friends and sometime collaborator, writer/playwright Garson Kanin, who was married to actress Ruth Gordon. These four people were friends over a couple of decades and Kanin talks about each of the two at length, telling both personal and professional stories. Very enjoyable.
**#80 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
**#80 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
May 26, 2024
I LOVE THIS BOOK, it´s interesting, light-hearted and a beautiful love letter to tracy and hepburn and their very private romance. It´s true Katharine wasn´t fond of its publishing, and i feel sometimes it gives too much about Spencer that he may never have wanted people to found out, but it´s a marvellous recolection of funny and sad moments, showing the reader how humane these movie stars were and how deserving they are of the public´s love.
July 7, 2012
A personal tribute from their good friend. I enjoyed reading of their habits, character, converations, etc.... from such a personal level. Two extraordinary talents with such different temperaments, and perfect life and acting partners.
Anyone who admires Tracy and Hepburn will appreciate this book.
Anyone who admires Tracy and Hepburn will appreciate this book.
November 30, 2016
Written in a style very much of its time, it took me a little while to get into this, but once I did, it was an extremely enjoyable read. Less a biography than a series of anecdotes, it certainly does give the reader a very intimate and at times rather moving look into the shared lives of Tracy and Hepburn.
August 11, 2007
The first and dishiest entry in the hagiography of Hepburn and Tracy, written by their friend and colleague, Garson Kanin. Read this and then read the deconstruction of this book in William Mann's new biography of Hepburn Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn.
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