It feels a bit dated and preachy now, but Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner‘s racial politics were radical for its time. Paired for the final time with her on- and off-screen partner Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn plays the wealthy, liberal mother of a woman (Katharine Houghton) who surprises her parents by announcing her sudden plans for marriage – to a black doctor (Sidney Poitier) they have never met. Most interesting is the way Hepburn and Tracy – ostensibly supporting players – steal the movie from the young lovers and make it their own. A brief scene in which the older couple try to clear their heads over some ice cream is a touching testament to the stars’ deep rapport. And another moment in which Hepburn’s Christina politely cans a bigoted employee shows what the movies miss most about Hepburn – her elegant fire.
