Christopher Strong

An adaptation of the 1932 British novel, this pre-Code romantic drama was directed by Dorothy Arzner and features Colin Clive and Katharine Hepburn in her second screen role. Clive plays Sir Christopher Strong, a respected London politician who is introduced to female aviator Lady Cynthia Darrington (Katharine Hepburn) after his daughter Monica (Helen Chandler) and her married boyfriend, Harry Rawlinson (Ralph Forbes), are challenged to bring together a faithful husband and a woman over twenty who has never had a love affair. The challenge, prompted at a party thrown by Monica’s socialite aunt Carrie Valentin (Irene Browne), results in Monica and Harry becoming friends with Cynthia. Even loyal Christopher finds himself drawn to her, in spite of his love for wife Elaine (Billie Burke). In turn, Elaine forbids her daughter from seeing her beau. She also senses the budding relationship between her husband and Cynthia, but nonetheless she allows Cynthia to accompany the family to their summer villa in Cannes. As Christopher and Cynthia continue to see each other, they’re love reaches new heights, but may come crashing down in the end.