I've mentioned before on this blog how I was skeptical towards the WB's television series Gilmore Girls, but after giving it a fair shake determined that it was really a great television show.
One of the unique qualities of the show, and particularly the writing and Lorelai Gilmore's character (and Lauren Grahams acting) is that this modern television show used the screw-ball comedy devices of the 1930s. Where Katherine Hepburn nailed these roles in the 1930s in her Howard Harks/Carey Grant films, Lauren Graham also succeeded.
I think it's easy on first view to here the fast-talk of the Gilmore's or the silly talk we see in characters like Susan Vance (Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby) or Linda Senton (Hepburn in Holiday), but once you "give in" to the insanity, there's something magical about that type of dialogue. Perhaps it is that same cynicism to witty-fast-talk that also made some love (and some not-so-love) the Diablo Cody's writing in Juno ("That ain't no Etch-A-Sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, Homeskillet").
I remember watching Bringing Up Baby, and at every turn, when I give myself into Katherine Hepburn's antics, whether it's being so relentless forgiving to her dog while being so oblivious to David's (Carey Grant) uptightness and inconvenience, or walking around with a broken high heel in the county jail, I think to myself...this is comedy genius and Hepburn at center stage is lovely and entertaining.
So with that I present you a favorite clip from Bringing Up Baby that will get me singing out of tune for days...
This post is part of the Katherine Hepburn blog-a-thon at Encore Entertainment.
2 comments:
Strange comparison, but I like. I warmed up to Gilmore Girls too, and Susan Vance sure is something special.
Lorelai Gilmore as a modern Susan Vance. I never put these two togther before but it is a great comparison.
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