In Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, a Nov 2nd New York Times editorial, Frank Rich draws a comparison between the world Barack Obama came from and the 1967 film of the same name. It was directed by Stanley Kramer and starred Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Sidney Poitier.

A poignant look at liberal values tested when the daughter in a white family – portrayed by Hepburn’s real-life niece, Katherine Houghton – introduces a highly educated black man, Dr. Prentice – played to perfection by Sidney Poitier – who she recently met on a trip to Hawaii and plans to marry in one week. A hasty surprise dinner with the future in-laws, controversial for its time with racial tensions on both sides explored with drama and nervous humor. It was also the last of a series of nine films pairing Katherine Hepburn with Spencer Tracy, earning her the second of four Oscars as Best Actress, and marking the final performance in the long distinguished career of Spencer Tracy who died less than three weeks after the film was completed. Although dated, and a bit sentimental in a syrup-ey way, its worth watching if only to see the underlying affection between these two actors with a relationship that remains a legendary part of Hollywood’s golden era, and perhaps seeing some parallels with Barack Obama’s life.

The President-elect seems as if he could be the product of the kind of union portrayed in the film between the Sidney Poitier character and Hepburn’s on-screen daughter. Then divorce and remarriage, transplanted to Indonesia for four years, finally shipped back to live with his mother’s parents in Hawaii,  essentially raised by a white grandmother with a strong Katherine Hepburn liberal sensibility who also understood the importance of bestowing children with self-confidence, independence, the ability to articulate their thoughts and weigh conflicting options so they can make better, more informed choices. Well prepared for the time when there will no longer be anyone around to protect them from the consequences of their decisions.

The loss of a defining relationship such as this (Barack Obama’s grandmother Madelyn Dunham died on November 2nd 2008), is never easy at any age, especially when its the last of the parental figures to die, the final physical link when all the previous familial generations is severed. Memories, previously distant, are brought to the forefront, once taken for granted, now a bit more tangible and meaningful, reaffirming the defining experiences such as the subtler ones formally unnoticed, of things that have evolved from the guidance of the one who is no longer alive. This has a distinct Shakespearean feel especially with respect to the timing of events.

On the eve of winning a crowning achievement when the weight of the world is about to be laid on his shoulders, with only the character that has been developed, awaiting the unknown tests of history yet to come, not only from adversaries, but allies as well.

For more on the distinguished careers of screen legends Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey and Sidney Poitier, follow these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Hepburn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Tracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Poitier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_Who%27s_Coming_to_Dinner