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Among the many film collaborations between Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Woman of the Year (1942) is especially significant because it was the first film in which they appeared together. In fact, during the filming of the movie, the two fell in love, sparking a relationship that would last more than 25 years, right up until Spencer Tracy's death in 1967.

Based on the life of renowned newspaper columnist Dorothy Thompson, Garson Kanin wrote the script with Hepburn in mind. Hepburn's character, Tess Harding, is an international affairs writer for the same paper that features articles by sports writer Sam Craig (played by Spencer Tracy). Craig, a very passionate and dedicated sports fanatic becomes incensed when he hears a radio address in which Tess declares that the game of baseball should be abolished until WWII comes to an end. Craig voices his displeasure in his weekly column and the battle begins - on the printed page. The two carry on their conflict within their respective columns, until finally they meet. Suddenly, the dynamics change dramatically as their mutual attraction becomes evident. Much to the surprise and consternation of their friends and coworkers, the pair begin an unlikely courtship that eventually leads to marriage. It is then that the fun really begins.

Director: George Stevens
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Fay Bainter, Reginald Owen, Minor Watson, William Bendix
Country: USA
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sport

BD50 + 2xDVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:54:32 | 45.6 Gb + 14.2 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Trailer - original trailer for Woman of the Year. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080i).

• George Stevens - presented here is an excerpt from an archival interview with director George Stevens in which he recalls his interactions with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy during the shooting of Woman of the Year, and how he nearly abandoned the film because of some creative disagreements that involved prominent studio people. The interview was conducted in 1967. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• George Stevens Jr. - in this brand new video interview, George Stevens Jr., the son of director George Stevens, discusses the creative environment in which his father worked and the manner in which he treated the people that he expected would see his films. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in Washington D.C. in January 2017. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080p).

• Marylin Ann Moss - in this brand new video interview, Marilyn Ann Moss, author of Giant: George Stevens, a Life on Film, discusses George Stevens' career in Hollywood and the evolution of his work, the interesting relationship he had with his female characters, the lasting impact Laurel and Hardy had on his directing style, and Woman of the Year and some of its key themes. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in December 2016. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080p).

• Katharine Hepburn: Woman of the Century - in this new video interview, author and journalist Claudia Roth Pierpoint discusses the life and career of Katharine Hepburn, her image as a powerful woman (and with some great comments about the roles that defined it), and the feminist overtones in Woman of the Year. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in New York in December 2016. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080p).

• George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey - this archival documentary examines the life and career of George Stevens as well as the significant impact his work has had on American culture. Included in the documentary are clips from interviews with Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, Ginger Rogers, Millie Perkins, Max Von Sydow, Spencer Tracy, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, and Montgomery Clift, amongst others. The documentary was written and directed by George Stevens Jr. in 1984. In English, not subtitled. (112 min, 1080p).

• The Spencer Tracy Legacy - this archival documentary focuses on the life and illustrious career of Spencer Tracy. Narrated by Katharine Hepburn, the documentary features numerous clips from interviews with Burt Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Richard Widmark, and Stanley Kramer, amongst others. The documentary was produced in 1986. In English, not subtitled. (87 min, 1080i).