In Leading Ladies, what does Leo (Maxine) mean when he says “Katharine Hepburn was born…with a knife in her teeth”?
Mr. Ludwig, I am a student of theatre and I currently have the honor of performing as Leo Clark in “Leading Ladies” this August for a local community theatre. First off I believe this is an amazing show! I have one question though. While I was studying theatre I was told never to say a line unless you completely understand it’s meaning, and I think that was some of the best advice I ever received. While talking with Meg during their first interaction Maxine says “Katharine Hepburn was born in Cape Cod someplace with a knife in her teeth” I was wondering if you could please help me out and explain that line to me. Keep up the great work, I hope I get to work on many more of your plays! Cheers, Bruce Ken replies: Dear Bruce, Thanks very much for your email and for your kind words. Katharine Hepburn was known for her distinctive sort-of wide-mouthed aristocratic enunciation of words. In those days they would tell young ladies striving to be like Hepburn to speak as though holding a knife
