Moment of Movie Wisdom: Respectful Romance in ‘Woman of the Year’ (1942)

Publicity photograph for the film "Woman of the Year," featuring its stars Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in 1942. Public Domain

Commentary

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy are one of the most famous movie couples in cinema history. Their partnership produced nine films made over the course of 26 years. People love to talk about their offscreen relationship, particularly their alleged affair. Nevertheless, if you separate the movies from the scandal and the temptation for comparison, the individual films are worth studying. I’ve written extensively about the movies Hepburn and Tracy made together, highlighting their depictions of the battle of the sexes and their fascinating political themes. However, each film also includes some simple wisdom.

Today’s moment of movie wisdom is from “Woman of the Year” (1942), their first movie together. The scene takes place 37 minutes into this 114-minute film. Sam Craig (Tracy) corners Tess Harding (Hepburn) in the wire room at the newspaper where they both work after having abruptly left her apartment the evening before. She is a little offended that he left their romantic rendezvous without even saying goodbye. He explains that he wants to marry her. He loves and respects her too much to cheapen their relationship with a casual fling.

The Film

Tess Harding is a columnist, globetrotter, and jetsetter, who knows just about everyone who is anyone in the international political scene. At the opening of World War II, she says on the radio that she thinks sports should be suspended for the duration as a waste of time and resources. Sam Craig, a sportswriter on the same paper, is appalled by her attitude and writes a scathing reply to her comments in his column, calling her un-American. She, of course, must reply to his attack with her own witty comeback.

Eventually, their editor (Reginald Owen) asks them both to his office and asks them to call a truce and make friends. Never having met before, they are immediately attracted to each other. Sam invites Tess to a baseball game, and they have a good time together although she has no understanding of the sport. They continue to see each other sporadically in the midst of Tess’s hectic schedule, yet their relationship deepens.

A promo shot for the 1942 film "Woman of the Year" starring Katharine Hepburn. MovieStillsDB

The Scene

When Tess finally gets back to New York after a long absence, Sam takes her to his favorite bar. They exchange stories about their lives and drink copious amounts of alcohol. As they tipsily ride home, the romantic attraction between them is intense. Tess asks Sam up to her apartment, suggestively dismissing the cab and saying that he can get another one. Up in the dimly lit apartment, they kiss passionately before Tess goes to get a nightcap for them. While she is gone, Sam feels very uncomfortable. Realizing that the whole situation seems wrong, he impulsively leaves, forgetting to take his hat with him.

The next day, Tess sends Sam’s hat to his office in one of her fancy hat boxes. The accompanying note says, “Here’s your hat—what’s your hurry?” He goes to the wire room, where Tess is following the war news. She is chilly with him, feeling insulted because he left with no explanation. She isn’t flattered when he says that she’s just about the only woman he would have walked out on, believing he isn’t attracted to her. However, he is dismayed to see that she doesn’t understand what he’s trying to say. He says that he wants to marry her. Going against all her strongly held feminist beliefs, Tess agrees because she has fallen in love with Sam, in spite of herself.

Its Significance

Sam says, “You’re practically the only woman in the world I would have walked out on last night.” “That’s very flattering,” Tess sarcastically responds. Clasping her shoulders and turning her toward him, Sam sincerely says, “Tess, don’t you understand? I want to marry you.” Just then, the editor pokes his head in and asks, “Is anything happening?” He’s referring to the war news, but Tess is talking about their intense situation when she answers, “Plenty!” “Great!” he replies cluelessly and quickly withdraws. “I never thought of myself getting married.” “What changed your mind?” Sam inquires. She looks at him squarely and replies, “You, Sam.”

This scene is a defining moment in their relationship. This is the point when Tess realizes how serious Sam is about her. We viewers already knew that he wanted to marry her, since he discussed it with her aunt (Fay Bainter) in an earlier scene. Before this, Tess knew that Sam was attracted to her, and she is also romantically interested in him. However, as a modern, “liberated” woman, she doesn’t think marriage is a necessary convention. Meanwhile, Sam holds her and their relationship to a higher standard.

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in the trailer for the 1942 film “Woman of the Year.” Public Domain

Tess’s casual attitude toward relationships and love carries over into their marriage. She enjoys a little spooning with Sam when she has a few spare minutes and he happens to be around, but she never goes out of her way to be with him. Sam is much more committed to their union, willingly making sacrifices to prioritize his wife’s plans.

Starting Out Right

Sam really loves Tess, so he would never want a casual fling with her. He cares about her too much to cheapen her or their relationship by having her without marrying her. This is such a strong example of the moral standard to which a gentleman should hold himself and the lady in his life. In today’s entertainment, the motto is, “They’re in love! Why wouldn’t they?” In movies like “Woman of the Year,” we’re reminded of what love really means. They’re in love, so they wouldn’t. They’re willing to wait for marriage because this is the beginning of a lifelong commitment.

Oh, for the days when movies were not only entertaining but provided higher standards of living and decent behavior!