"I am absolutely fascinating!" renowned actress Katharine Hepburn once exclaimed to interviewer Dick Cavett. Though Hepburn's appraisal might be cocky, after viewing "One Life: Katharine Hepburn," visitors to the National Portrait Gallery might have some trouble disagreeing with the starlet.
"One Life: Katharine Hepburn" celebrates what would have been the actress's 100th birthday. For more than 70 years, Hepburn carefully crafted and maintained her public (and private) image as a woman to be reckoned with. Known for her poise, grace and independent spirit, Hepburn created a sort of feminine ideal outside of the blonde bombshell appeal that was so popular at the beginning of her career.
The small exhibit moves chronologically through Hepburn's life and career, featuring photos, drawings and artifacts. Long captions offer useful context for each item and help show the various sides of the complicated icon.
Childhood photos of Hepburn are supported by her assertions that she was, in her own words, "totally, completely the product of two damn fascinating individuals who happen to be [her] parents." Hepburn's mother was a staunch feminist, and her father unabashedly did work toward curing venereal disease. Her brother's suicide when she was 13 caused Hepburn to withdraw from society until she attended college at Bryn Mawr.
After finding her love of acting there, Hepburn began crafting her persona with help from aristocrat and friend Laura Harding. The exhibit's 1934 photo of the two dining outside with a group shows a distinct change in posture and overall body language from earlier photos of Hepburn. Her transformation had truly begun.
"One Life" features stills and behind-the-scenes shots of many of Hepburn's early roles. Her enduring professional relationship with director George Cukor is highlighted beginning with a photo from the set of "Little Women" in 1933.
Her fast success in the film industry allowed Hepburn to, by 1933, make more decisions about which movies she made than many other actors and actresses involved in the studio system. Her role as a girl disguised as a boy in 1935's "Sylvia Scarlett" let her portray the tomboy she often was. A photo of the actress lounging backstage shows her comfort with the role.
"Sylvia Scarlett" was a box office flop. RKO, the studio she was contracted with, tried to win back audiences by casting Hepburn in a comedy alongside Cary Grant. Though 1938's "Bringing Up Baby" is now considered a classic, it bombed in theaters. The movie's original poster is featured.
Though at the time labeled box-office poison, Hepburn soldiered through the rest of her career. Her much-publicized relationship with aviator Howard Hughes, as well as her roles in "The Philadelphia Story" and "Woman of the Year," helped her to curry public favor.
Movies like "The African Queen" and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," for which Hepburn received her second of four Oscars, solidified her career. Hepburn's record-holding Oscars are on display in the exhibit.
A signed contract for a play Hepburn acted early in her career is also featured, as well as the red Brooks Brothers sweater she was rarely seen without in her later life. Visitors have the opportunity to view clips of some of the actress's most notable roles as part of the exhibition as well.
"One Life: Katharine Hepburn" is on display at the National Portrait Gallery through Sept. 28. The museum is located at Eighth and F streets N.W. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
