I was always the rebel in the family, according to my mom. I usually danced to the beat of a different drum long before my parents’ generation caught up. I loved the Black Movement in America. I worked with several organizations, lending my time, my youth, my energy, and my care for seeing everyone as themselves, without regard for the color of their skin. It didn’t matter to me what you looked like on the outside. I believed it was far more important to be kind, restful, and loving. Not all my friends felt the same way. I think I was ahead of my time in that area, again, so said my mom.
Dating for me was like a melting pot of the new, more modern America. Race, color, and religion didn’t matter. I wanted to experience and learn from everyone. I brought home a myriad of men for my parents to meet. It was usually pretty spontaneous and made for interesting dinner conversations. I felt no pressure. I knew I was not getting married until I had established my career, so my choices were limitless. I went to social events from every side of the spectrum. I changed the way I dressed on a whim every day. I joined committees and attended meetings. My mom would often say to me that I was the reason her hair was turning gray. Those were fascinating, exciting times to be young, and I kept my family on their toes with every phone call or visit home.
In 1967, I heard a line from a film that truly resonated with my soul for its sheer simplicity and succinctness in capturing how the world was changing.
“You see yourself as a Black man, but I view myself simply as a man.”
Oh, these times were changing (thank you, Bob Dylan), especially with the premiere of GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER. This brilliant screenplay lifted the hidden elephant in the room out into plain sight. It forced everyday people to think about what they would do or say if their child brought a Black man home for dinner and casually announced they were getting married. The issue was so clear. Do you believe and honor the values you taught your child, or are you someone who does not mean what you say out loud? Are you a bigot, or are you a person who stands tall for all humanity? Turbulence was inevitable as this hot topic exploded into every household.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. It took home two, for Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn) and Best Screenplay. It cost $4 million to produce and grossed almost $60 million worldwide. It was considered a huge box office hit. Spencer Tracy was gravely ill when he was cast as Matt, husband to Christina (Hepburn), who in real life were soul mates for over 25 years. Tracy was a married man whose wife would not grant him a divorce because she was Catholic. Hollywood knew all about Hepburn and Tracy’s true love affair. Their relationship was hidden from the public for many years.
Hepburn and Tracy made nine movies together. GWCTD was their last. The studio did not want to cast Tracy in this role because of his weak health, but Hepburn insisted and said she would not make the film without him. She put up her salary to insure the completion of the film. The director, Stanley Kramer (INHERIT THE WIND, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG), did the same. Hepburn monitored Spencer’s health throughout the filming. Tracy only worked in the mornings, or only until Hepburn thought he had done enough for the day. With this carefully monitored plan in place, Tracy made it through to the end. He died just 17 days after the film’s completion. He never saw the finished film when it was released six months later.
There was also foreshadowing in the chain of events regarding interracial law. In GWCTD, Tracy’s character says he probably won’t live to see the day these rules would change. Two days after Tracy’s death, the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to bar anyone from marrying whomever they chose because of the color of their skin. Tracy did not live to see this, just like his character in the movie. In later years, Hepburn said she never watched the finished film because watching Tracy on celluloid was too painful.
It has also been said that Tracy’s final monologue about loving someone so completely was directed at Hepburn. He specifically turns his head toward her while she is gently crying. Life and film often mirror each other, showcasing honest, authentic feelings in spite of all the lights, camera, and action. Their chemistry together was phenomenal to watch. They appeared as a normal couple who could speak their piece, argue, agree, and love deeply. It was a privilege to watch on screen.
The incomparable genius of Sidney Poitier (IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, LILIES OF THE FIELD) made him the perfect choice to portray Dr. John Prentice. His command of each frame was a delight to watch. He was a superb actor who knew how to control and guide an audience, yet he was in awe of Hepburn and Tracy. He was relieved to often play his scenes to empty chairs due to Tracy’s health and stamina. I guess we all have our heroes.
Katharine Houghton played Joey, the free spirit who fell in love with a prestigious man of color. (As a side note, Houghton was Hepburn’s niece, and this was her first feature film.) Tracy described it beautifully when he said his daughter and the doctor didn’t have a love problem, but rather a pigmentation problem. This was a well-written phrase that summed up the issues our society was grappling with in the ’60s and long after.
The supporting cast was amazing and acted true to life in presenting argumentative perspectives. Isabel Sanford, as the maid, Tillie, also made her debut. Most will remember her for her outstanding performance in the hit TV show THE JEFFERSONS. It would be a shame if I didn’t mention the original song played throughout the entire film, but most importantly, while credits rolled and during a sweet montage of couples of all ages in love. THE GLORY OF LOVE says it all, using only four words to describe how humans don’t get to really choose who they love. It just happens.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER has some layers that I wish the director and writer had explored more. I often wondered why there was such a large age difference between Joey and John, and why Joey didn’t have more experience under her belt compared with John’s impressive resume as an established doctor. My guess is that there is never the perfect time for anyone to fall in love, and that makes GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER a magical, thought-provoking, very romantic classic of the highest calibre. My final warning is to be prepared for watching real love exposed on screen between Tracy and Hepburn. Their palpable presence together is what all of us dream of finding during our lifetime. I have no regrets about all the questionable moments I thrust upon my own parents at dinner time.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER is available on Prime Video.