[5]
In the second of their nine pairings, Spencer Tracy plays a highly-regarded journalist investigating the death of Katharine Hepburn’s husband, a beloved national war hero. At first, information is hard to come by. But once he begins talking with Hepburn and others who live at the deceased’s estate, Tracy starts to suspect murder.
Director George Cukor (The Women, Adam’s Rib) gets to show more of his ‘noir side’ with this film, which takes a few narrative and stylistic cues from Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. But fans of Tracy and Hepburn should be prepared for a decidedly somber mystery, not one of their famous romantic comedies. While Tracy is reliably good in the lead role, Hepburn is stuck in with an uncharacteristically reticent and sullen part. Not much of the legendary couple’s chemistry is on display, unfortunately.
As a mystery, Keeper of the Flame is a bit slow to unspool and tediously paced, but the climax picks up considerable steam and the resolution is not one you’re likely to see coming. Richard Whorf gets the meatiest supporting role, playing the victim’s devoted aid (and, of course, another suspect). Margaret Wycherly hams it up as the dead man’s deranged, elderly mother, and young Darryl Hickman gives an earnest, memorable child performance.
With Forrest Tucker, Donald Meek, and Frank Craven.