Katherine Hartley, better known by her pen name Ketti Frings, was a celebrated playwright and screenwriter, whose remarkable life journey spanned over a century. Born on February 28, 1909, in the vibrant city of Columbus, Ohio, Frings' early years were marked by a thirst for knowledge and a passion for creative expression. She attended Principia College, where she honed her skills and laid the foundation for a future filled with artistic pursuits.
As her educational journey came to a close, Frings embarked on a career in advertising, donning the hat of a copywriter. Her stint in the advertising industry proved to be a valuable stepping stone, as it provided her with the opportunity to develop her writing skills and cultivate a keen sense of creative direction. However, Frings' ambitions soon took her in a different direction, as she transitioned into the world of journalism, penning features for the esteemed United Press International.
Frings' foray into journalism was merely the beginning of a long and illustrious career. She went on to explore various creative avenues, taking on roles as a publicity agent, radio scriptwriter, and even adopting a pen name, Anita Kigore, for her work in writing copy for movie magazines. Throughout her life, Frings remained a true Renaissance woman, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to express herself through her writing.
Natalie Frings' career received a significant boost when her narrative, "Memo to a Movie Producer," was transformed into a cinematic masterpiece, "Hold Back the Dawn," in 1941. This critically acclaimed film garnered an impressive six Academy Award nominations, including the coveted Best Picture accolade. This notable achievement marked a turning point in Frings' professional trajectory, as she went on to establish herself as a skilled screenwriter. Her contributions to the screenplay of the 1943 film adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's timeless classic, "Jane Eyre," further solidified her reputation in the industry. A decade later, Frings' remarkable talent was once again recognized with a nomination for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Drama, in recognition of her outstanding work in adapting William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Come Back, Little Sheba."
Lillian Hellman's Broadway journey began with the 1942 production of "Mr. Sycamore", a play that unfortunately met a premature end after just 19 performances, marking a less than auspicious debut for the esteemed playwright. Undeterred by this initial setback, Hellman went on to create her second Broadway play, which would prove to be a groundbreaking success, garnering her the prestigious 1958 Pulitzer Prize for drama for her adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's novel "Look Homeward, Angel". This critically acclaimed play ran for an impressive 564 performances, earning Hellman her first Tony Award nomination and cementing her position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of American theatre.
Lillian Hellman
Born: June 20, 1905, New Orleans, Louisiana
Died: June 30, 1984, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Occupation: Playwright, Screenwriter, Memoirist
Known for her provocative and often controversial works, Hellman was a prominent figure in American literature, and her plays continue to be performed and studied to this day.
The playwright's subsequent works, comprising "The Long Dream" and "Walking Happy," garnered a diverse range of critical assessments. While "Walking Happy" was fortunate enough to enjoy a respectable 161-performance run, "The Long Dream" unfortunately met a swift demise, closing its curtains after a mere five performances.
Notably, Frings' final Broadway production was the 1978 musical adaptation of her Pulitzer Prize-winning play, titled "Angel." Unfortunately, this production also struggled to find its footing, closing its doors after a similarly brief five-performance run.
Katharine Hepburn's personal life was characterized by her union with Kurt Frings in 1938, a partnership that would yield two offspring, Kathie and Peter, before ultimately disintegrating in a divorce that was finalized in 1963.
Katharine Hepburn's life took a sorrowful turn when she succumbed to the ravages of cancer on February 11, 1981, mere weeks shy of her 72nd birthday, which was to be celebrated in Los Angeles.
