Hepburn vs. Hepburn
Although the two Hepburns - Katharine and Audrey - were confused throughout their lives (and still are today), these screen icons could not have been more dissimilar. (When AH signed her first Paramount contract for Roman Holiday, the studio asked her to change her surname. She politely refused.) Kate barreled through life doing exactly as she pleased for ninety-six years. She had zero interest in marriage, Republicans, or wearing sunblock, didn't care for whom she ticked off, and smoked three packs a day for twenty years before giving it up by going cold turkey at the age of forty.
While she trumpeted her originality, Katharine Hepburn is a distinct American archetype. Invariably described as being of New England stock, a Mayflower descendant, and more than a little intimidating (think Queen Elizabeth II, Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce, or Barbara Bush), these are not women who need our help. They're blue-blood tough guys: reserved, unironic, and often married to much handsomer men they terrorize into submission with their intelligence, cojones, fierce backhand, and Mummy's charitable lead trust on their side.
While Audrey was known for her style - Those trousers! Those turtlenecks! Those cheekbones and graceful stride! - these gals are not. Well, they might possess style of a sort (i.e., the Church Lady, or Talbots circa 1973), but this is not the first thing that comes to mind when their names come up. Given to A-line skirts, triple-strand pearls, and sensible shoes, they are emotionally reserved, opinionated, arch - and you can bet they'll let you know exactly how they feel on any given topic, be it the presidential race, what color to paint the sunroom, the best way to fire the help, or how to raise your children.
With her modesty, grace, less satorially tomboyish fashion sense, and - dare we say it? - inherent European sophistication, Audrey is the anti-Kate. Because while people might be in awe of the indomitable Miss Kate, they truly love Audrey.
Although the two Hepburns - Katharine and Audrey - were confused throughout their lives (and still are today), these screen icons could not have been more dissimilar. (When AH signed her first Paramount contract for Roman Holiday, the studio asked her to change her surname. She politely refused.) Kate barreled through life doing exactly as she pleased for ninety-six years. She had zero interest in marriage, Republicans, or wearing sunblock, didn't care for whom she ticked off, and smoked three packs a day for twenty years before giving it up by going cold turkey at the age of forty.
While she trumpeted her originality, Katharine Hepburn is a distinct American archetype. Invariably described as being of New England stock, a Mayflower descendant, and more than a little intimidating (think Queen Elizabeth II, Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce, or Barbara Bush), these are not women who need our help. They're blue-blood tough guys: reserved, unironic, and often married to much handsomer men they terrorize into submission with their intelligence, cojones, fierce backhand, and Mummy's charitable lead trust on their side.
While Audrey was known for her style - Those trousers! Those turtlenecks! Those cheekbones and graceful stride! - these gals are not. Well, they might possess style of a sort (i.e., the Church Lady, or Talbots circa 1973), but this is not the first thing that comes to mind when their names come up. Given to A-line skirts, triple-strand pearls, and sensible shoes, they are emotionally reserved, opinionated, arch - and you can bet they'll let you know exactly how they feel on any given topic, be it the presidential race, what color to paint the sunroom, the best way to fire the help, or how to raise your children.
With her modesty, grace, less satorially tomboyish fashion sense, and - dare we say it? - inherent European sophistication, Audrey is the anti-Kate. Because while people might be in awe of the indomitable Miss Kate, they truly love Audrey.
**all information comes from the book: What Would Audrey Do by Pamela Keogh
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