Movie Monday: Woman of the Year (1942)

Probably one of the most iconic Old Hollywood duos, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy created several films together that went on to become classics. Today’s Movie Monday is all about one of those famous films call Woman of the Year!

Created in a time era when it wasn’t particularly fashionable to have women in the workforce let alone being the boss, Woman of the Year is a film that was way ahead of its time! Despite having more modern sensibilities, I wouldn’t say that this movie is interested in advancing any kind of agenda. Instead, Woman of the Year has a message to send to viewers about cherishing the people who are invested in you.

The brilliant part of this story is that is doesn’t tell viewers that women can’t have a family and a career, but instead it suggests that you can do both of those things as long as you are not giving up the important relationships you have in your life. In that respect I totally agree with and love this movie! Woman of the Year is all about the people that you have in your life and not forgetting the people who helped you reach the new amazing places that you are.

I also believe that Woman of the Year is a great example of the sweet relationship Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn really had. Although their relationship was kept under wraps for years, there was truly a wonderful connection between these two people. The only person that could ever really understand Hepburn was Tracy and you can see that even through the characters they are playing in this film especially.

Last but not least, I do want to touch on the fashion in this movie. Katherine Hepburn was a trailblazer when it comes to the social norms surrounding women wearing pants. In Woman of the Year she wore a lot of different pantsuits which was pretty unheard of for 1942! Of course, this was World War II time era where women were slowly being encouraged to wear pants so they could work in factories, but it was still very rare to see the Hollywood stars embrace this change and it would continue to be that way for years to come. Outside of being a trouser trailblazer, Hepburn also sported a lot of gorgeous dresses and gowns further proving how she would pull off wearing anything.

If you don’t ever watch any other Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn film, I would highly encourage you to watch this one. It gives you the best understanding of their relationship and will make you fall in love with seeing them slowly fall in love.

Much Love,

Sarah