Apparently Kate Hepburn regarded the writing of this book as a betrayal. It’s a very affectionate depiction of the two of them but I can understand her point of view – Kanin has invaded their privacy. It’s written in the style of Kanin’s book on Maugham, jumping around in time from story to story. It seems Kanin was an even better friend to Tracy and Hepburn than he was to Maugham – for one thing, he frequently collaborated with them professionally (Kanin directed Tracy’s last Broadway show, plus wrote Adam’s Rib and Pat and Mike); for another, he and wife Ruth Gordon teamed a tight foursome with Tracy and Hepburn.
Hepburn’s feelings aside, I’m glad Kanin wrote the book for the insights on Tracy. I mean, the writings on Hepburn are fine, but she’s such a familiar charcter from so many bios and from her persona that its not that revealing (although I did like the story of her insisting the door was open during performances of Coco because she hates stuffy rooms). It’s the talking about Tracy which is a revelation. Tracy always comes across in books I’ve read as this tormented, boozy whiner. Kanin’s close friendship with the man creates a different picture – amiable, funny, egotistical, quiet and retiring but still desperate to know what’s going on. He would smoke a packet of cigarettes a day – but only in bed while reading mystery novels all night (no wonder he didn’t live very long). He would go on holiday and enjoy the isolation but freak out if he couldn’t call home – if only calling Eddie Mannix to find out what the weather was like.
NB After reading this and the book on Somerset Maugham, and taking into account Kanin’s frequent idolatrous references to George Abbott, Thornton Wilder and Renee Clair, I can’t help wondering – did all Garson Kanin’s friendships involve him worshipping famous people? Did he ever befriend equals?
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