A lot of old romantic comedies I find myself forcing to like (and sometimes forcing to get myself through) but Adam’s Rib hasn’t aged a bit. This is a smart, hilarious comedy, probably the best ever to star both Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (although the only other comedy I’ve seen with them is their first pairing, Woman of the Year.) I’ve seen the film three times now. The first time I saw it on television when I was younger, probably 12 or 13, and I remember, once getting past the blasphemy that I was watching something in black and white, that I was actually enjoying it quite a bit. Then I saw it again two years ago in my Women in Film class at Loyola Marymount University (probably the best film theory class I took in those four years) and I was given a much more modern and enlightening perspective on the film. For anyone looking for a difficult but interesting and thought-provoking film theory class at LMU, Dr. Susan Barber is the professor to seek out.

Throughout the 1940’s, more and more strong roles were being written. And, for the first time ever on the big screen, females were going up against the males as equals. Adam’s Rib is all about equality between men and women, and the hunger to not let women be diminished, given off with great verve by Katherine Hepburn’s character, makes for exciting viewing. The film is about a woman who follows her husband to an apartment, where she discovers he is sleeping around with another woman. In a jealous rage, she shoots him with a pistol, and he is severely injured. Tracy and Hepburn, a married couple who happen to both be lawyers, are assigned to the case and take the case, respectively, Tracy prosecuting and Hepburn defending. It’s a battle (to the death almost!) of the sexes, and it’s a great thrill to watch.

Hepburn (who I’ve seen in many things) and Tracy (who I’ve barely seen in other films) are clearly some of the best actors to have ever lived, and when they’re given a screenplay this good, one that allows them to chew through their scenes like rabid dogs fighting over a bowl of sirloin steak, it’s best to just sit back and let the good times roll. These are exciting actors to watch play off each other. Lovers in real life (although never coming out public with their relationship, if I do believe so), Hepburn and Tracy have a classic chemistry that has rarely been seen since.

Watching the film a third time was just pure fun. It doesn’t get any less funny on multiple viewing because the laughs come from the behavior of the characters, not necessarily any kinds of jokes. Hepburn and Tracy are a joy to watch, and I look forward to taking a look at some of their other films I haven’t seen. Adam’s Rib is worth checking out for any fans of great classic comedies.