A LITMUS TEST?

While I strive to be fair-minded and rational in all areas of my life, I will admit that I do have a litmus test for judging men. I am profoundly suspicious of men who dislike Katharine Hepburn. 

My grandfather nurtured a passionate dislike for Hepburn and refused to see any of her movies.  When asked why, he said she was arrogant and that her manner grated on him. 

My Deeply Sexist Ex-boyfriend was just as passionate in his dislike for Hepburn.  He used to mock her "arrogance" too, especially upon the release of her autobiography, entitled "Me."  He would trill, "Meeeeeeeeee!  It's all  about Meeeeeeeeeee!"  He would follow up this mockery with a charming comment like, "I can't stand that bitch."  I was always puzzled and disturbed by his feelings on the matter because I couldn't see that Hepburn was any more self-centered than any other major celebrity.

I can't help but see this dislike for Hepburn, particularly in its intensity, as a rejection of her persona as an independent, outspoken woman.  That's what Hepburn is famous for -- her persona as a woman who does and says what she wants without pandering to men.  In short, I believe to this day that my grandfather and ex-boyfriend hated her because she was too "uppity." 

Early on in my relationship with my husband, I insisted on renting a Hepburn movie just so I could judge his reaction.  If he had refused or said anything derogatory about her, our relationship would have been over immediately. 

Comments

[Chalicechick]

Katharine Hepburn rocks mightily.

I have insisted that a great many potential mates watch "The Philadelphia Story."

The CSO (my husband) loved it.

CC

[Joel Monka]

Hah! everyone knows her best role was Lion In Winter!

[chipmunk]

In terms of the author/subject, aren't all auto-biographys about "me."

As for Hepburn movies, I prefer the African Queen.

[L.]

My grandmother loved her. I always loved that someone famous was also a Hartford native.

Her brother was my great-grandmother`s urologist.

[Ginger]

She was a goddess.

A friend of mine once told me that she'd have Katherine Hepburn play me in a movie about my life...not because we look alike (we don't), but because of similarities in personality. It's probably the greatest compliment I've ever received.

[bmmg39]

I like Katharine Hepburn, but I wouldn't be as quick to dismiss those who don't care for her as sexists afraid of a free-thinking woman. I dislike a lot of Judy Tenuta's stand-up act; I think of some of what Rosanne _____ used in her routine was obnoxious and anti-male, but that doesn't mean I am intimidated by ALL independent women.

[Sydney]

Is deeply sexist ex-boyfriend the same bf as the perfect blonde gentleman that came before your wonderful husband?

[The Happy Feminist]

Nope, different boyfriend. What can I say-- I got around.

[David Thompson]

I dislike Katharine Hepburn because of her skeezy accent.

[The Happy Feminist]

Nope. That's not a valid reason.