Starring the unforgettable team of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, “Pat and Mike” is the story of Patricia Pemberton (Hepburn), the physical education teacher at an upper-class school. Her fiancé is Collier Weld (William Ching) an overbearing, patronizing man who never gives Pat the credit she deserves. Pat is an excellent golfer, but when she’s out on the green with Collier, she can’t hit a ball to save her life. When a wealthy patron asks Collier and Patricia to go golfing to firm up the details on a large gift to the school, Pat goes along, flubbing it up all the way, until the patron’s wife ticks her off and she shows what she’s really made of.
Inspired to enter a women’s golfing tournament, Pat gives it her all, only to discover that Collier is a jinx. Every time he’s around, she can’t help but do badly. She comes in second in the tournament, to her great dismay.
Meanwhile, Mike Connovan (Tracy), a manager and gambler, has approached Pat about becoming one of his clients. She’s not sure she wants to play things his way – he wants her to throw matches. But when Collier continues with his condescending ways, Pat realizes she has to become her own woman, and goes to Mike, asking him to make her a famous athlete. Little does he anticipate that she’s fabulous at nearly every sport she tries, as long as Collier isn’t watching. Mike agrees to play it straight – no more throwing matches while Pat’s around.
The best part of this movie is the fact that Hepburn herself was one whale of an athlete and competed at championship level in both tennis and golf. When you see her playing a sport in this film, she’s really playing it. No stand-in or body double for her. And when Pat and Mike finally realize the depth of their feelings for each other, Pat is able to shake the bad luck vibe Collier has been giving her and achieve nothing but success with Mike at her side.
Touching, memorable, and absolutely charming, you’ll enjoy “Pat and Mike.” While more of a Mom and Dad movie, there’s nothing objectionable in it for children.
This film was not rated.
Related Blogs:
Spencer Tracy: An Actor to Reckon With
Katharine Hepburn: The First Lady of the Cinema