Director:
Dorothy Arzner
1933, RKO Radio Pictures, 77 minutes
This film was directed by Dorothy Arzner, perhaps the only woman director to work successfully
within the Hollywood studio system; even today, no woman director has established such a
substantial body of work as Arzner. Christopher Strong makes a strong statement about women's
place in the world of work--both the possibilities and the limitations. It is an early melodrama, but
seems surprisingly modern in its concerns.
Table of Contents
Lady Cynthia Darrington...............Katharine Hepburn
Sir Christopher Strong.................Colin Clive
Lady Strong.............................Billie Burke
Monica Strong..........................Helen Chandler
Harry Rawlinson.......................Ralph Forbes
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At a scavenger hunt, Lady Cynthia Darrington has never had a love affair. Everything
changes when she arrives unexpectedly at a scavenger hunt. It is there that she meets
Sir Christopher, a happily married man. As her relationship with Sir Christopher
develops, her life changes.
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(Analysis by Anna): The first glimpse we have of Cynthia is a scene where she is pushing her car to
go faster and faster. As she continues to drive,the camera cuts back and forth between the
speedometer and Cynthia's face. She appears to take great pleasure in driving: as she races by
Harry, a victorious look crosses her face. She enjoys racing with this man, all the while knowing
that she is unstoppable. Cynthia defies the role of a typical woman, competing with a man and
leading her life as an aviatrix. After this visual introduction, Cynthia Darrington is officially
introduced into the plotline as a woman who has never had a lover, never been a wife, and is not
ashamed to be described as such.
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Anna: It is only when Cynthia begins to have a love affair with Christopher Strong, a married man,
that she begins to lose some of her independent nature. A distinct shift in her appearance symbolizes
the change in her character. Cynthia replaces her pants with dresses and skirts. She finally concedes
to Christopher's request and gives up flying because of the danger involved. Cynthia allows herself
to be molded into society's idea of a woman. The breaking point comes when Cynthia discovers
that she is pregnant. The pregnancy encourages Cynthia to make the choice to reclaim her life.
Rather than allow herself to remain in a position that she is not satisfied with--alone and
pregnant--she makes a daring flight that will be her last. Cynthia refuses to force Christopher to
serve his "duty" as the father of their child. As she ascends through the sky the camera zooms onto
the altitude gauge. As the altitude continues to rise the camera cuts back and forth between the gauge
and Cynthia's face. There is no pleasure to be found on her face. Tears form as Cynthia replays her
affair with Christopher in her mind. Her dare-devil flight becomes a suicide run when she removes
her oxygen mask and dies a heroic death.
Cynthia's moments of independence are moments immersed in the male realm. In contrast to other
movie heroines (Mildred Pierce, for example), Cynthia is able to decide her own fate.
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You can find more information on this
movie in the
Christopher Strongin the Internet Movie Database.
Katharine Hepburn
Picture of Katharine Hepburn.
Kate's Page
This page has links to film, awards and leading men. It contains pictures and a
biography.
People - Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn Images
Pictures of Katharine Hepburn
- Hepburn, Katharine. ME: Stories of My Life . Knopf, 1991.
- An autobiography of her life including her affair with Spencer Tracy.
- Edwards, Anne. A Remarkable Woman: A Biography of Katharine Hepburn.
NY: William Morrow & Co., 1985.
- Leaming, Barbara Katharine Hepburn . Crown.
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Strong Women Homepage
- Wini Wood wwood@wellesley.edu
- Writing Program
- Date Created: March 15, 1996
- Last Modified: March 12, 1997
- Expires: January 1, 1998