Sportswriter Sam Craig and columnist Tess Harding, with the same New York newspaper, overcome their initial antagonism, fall in love and get married, only to find their relationship strained... Read allSportswriter Sam Craig and columnist Tess Harding, with the same New York newspaper, overcome their initial antagonism, fall in love and get married, only to find their relationship strained when he comes to resent her hectic lifestyle.Sportswriter Sam Craig and columnist Tess Harding, with the same New York newspaper, overcome their initial antagonism, fall in love and get married, only to find their relationship strained when he comes to resent her hectic lifestyle.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total
- Dr. Lubbeck
- (as Ludwig Stossel)
- Cab Driver
- (uncredited)
- Stage Doorman
- (uncredited)
- Phone Girl
- (uncredited)
- Baseball Fan
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaKatharine Hepburn refused to reveal who wrote the screen play to Louis B. Mayer until after he bought the project from Hepburn. Hepburn was afraid that Mayer would low-ball the two authors (Michael Kanin and Ring Lardner Jr.) because, at the time, they were both relatively unknown.
- GoofsIn the kitchen, Tess uses a vacuum coffee maker (Cona). However, if she had put the coffee in the bottom of the coffee maker and the water in the top, as shown, it wouldn't have made coffee at all.
- Quotes
Tess Harding: [In the stands at the ballpark, observing the large crowd in attendance] Are all these people unemployed?
Sam Craig: No, they're all attending their grandmother's funeral.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "LA DONNA DEL GIORNO (1942) INCANTESIMO (1938)" (2 Films on a single DVD, with "Woman of the Year" in double version 1.33:1 and 1.78:1), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1984)
- SoundtracksBridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Written by Richard Wagner
Played on an organ at the wedding
I think that's what the authors of the screenplay Michael Kanin and Ring Lardner, Jr., had in mind in the script as well. As mismatched a pair if there ever were, he a down to earth sports columnist and she a world famous news reporter and commentator, fall in love.
As her celebrity is much wider known than his, Hepburn expects to have it all her own way. The rest of the film is concerned with their efforts to adjust to each other.
Katharine Hepburn's character is based on liberal radio commentator and reporter Dorothy Thompson. Not surprising that no one has mentioned that yet in all the reviews so far. The giveaway is Tracy first hearing her voice on the radio while in his favorite sports bar on Information Please where Thompson was a guest. Her career petered out after World War II, so she's not known to today's audience.
Writers Kanin and Lardner had as a model for the Tracy character Lardner's own father. Ring Lardner was one the celebrated sports writers of the first half of the 20th century, a great reporter and humorist. While Tracy is not as witty as Ring Lardner, he is definitely as down to earth.
My favorite scene is Spencer Tracy trying to feel comfortable at an international gathering at her place, looking even for people who speak English. Of course she's equally as uncomfortable at William Bendix's bar where Tracy likes to hang out.
Hepburn, comfortable in her celebrity, just sails through life, getting awards here and there. When she thinks of a Greek orphan kid she gets pressured into taking in as another award, that's when Tracy puts his foot down.
Based on some real celebrities, Tracy and Hepburn become those celebrities in the flesh. It's an awesome debut for what turned out to be a great screen team.
Look for fine performances by William Bendix, Fay Bainter, Minor Watson and Dan Tobin. Kanin and Lardner copped the film's only Oscar for an original screenplay. Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress, but lost to Greer Garson in Mrs. Miniver.
If Woman of the Year were remade today, the producers might consider making the woman the sports reporter. Seeing Jeannie Zelasko covering the World Series this year, I'm sure it would work very well.
- bkoganbing
- Oct 26, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Günün Kadını
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1