Katharine Hepburn – Sunday 12 May 1907 – Sunday 29 June 2003

Introduction

All right, Kate Hepburn’s life accomplishments are in the area of acting, not writing; but trying one’s hand in a different area, even later in life, can produce unexpected good results such as The Making of the African Queen: Or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind. Thoroughly enjoyed Kate’s autobiographical memoir of life on the set of the Oscar-winning film, "The African Queen".

Dedication in The Making of the African Queen

“To Mother and Dad”

Excerpt from The Making of the African Queen

“Leopoldville, practically on the Equator, was our first destination. Heat—-damp---a barrage of amateur photographers---long flat-field-flat-town---very kind people. Heat—-hotel---French-speaking Belgians-—no panes of glass in windows-—porches—-high ceilings—blinds-—mosquito nets over beds-—painted cement floors-—dark, spare bathroom—-watch the bugs-—watch the water-—thoughtful people-—took care of us afternoon and evening. We went to bed early. Up at 4:00 a.m. And off again.

Stanleyville. Belgian Congo. Peter Viertel met us. One hour before, John Huston had taken off for our village at Biondo. Did you hear what I said? One hour before. We had flown halfway around the world to get to him. And one hour before, he had left on a private plane for our camp, which was just being completed—south-—down the Congo River about eight hours by rail and then west into the jungle by car another forty miles and no telephone. I can’t describe my emotions. You see, I didn’t know any of these people. The Bogarts seemed sweet but I didn’t know them. Peter Viertel? Well, I knew his mother, Salka Viertel, and he seemed nice. But gosh, I couldn’t be entirely honest with him. Not only had Huston gone to Biondo but he had taken his guns with him. Not the script! To this day he has never told me why he left. I suppose he was absolutely horrified at the thought of beginning the picture, and the sight of us was the knell of doom. It was an utterly piggish thing to do and it makes me mad to think of it even now—goddamn—goddamn….

If Peter Viertel, the writer, had not met us, no one would have. Dear Peter Viertel. He saved my sanity-—he sort of took me over and filled my time with golf and trips here and there and talk about the script. Peter Viertel was an absolute angel to me-—to everyone. Helpful—kind-—and a damned good writer. He eventually wrote a fascinating book about two men, White Hunter, Black Heart, sort of inspired by this experience. Thank God he was there.”


Yesterday’s writer – Lillian Hellman
Tomorrow’s writer – P. D. James

Source: Hepburn, Katharine. The Making of The African Queen: Or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987. ISBN 0-394-56272-0. Excerpt: pages 21-23

Images:
Left: Front cover of my personal copy of The Making of The African Queen

Center: Katharine Hepburn from the website imdb.com