text: Katharine Hepburn as a Wild Girl of the Carolina Mountains in a Film Version of the Play 'Trigger.' - The New York Times
  Archives|Katharine Hepburn as a Wild Girl of the Carolina Mountains in a Film Version of the Play 'Trigger.'
  By MORDAUNT HALL. MARCH 9, 1934
  March 9, 1934, Page The New York Times Archives
  As the dominating figure of "Spitfire," the current cinematic offering at the Radio City Music Hall, Katharine Hepburn gives another talented screen portrayal. Hence, although she may have disappointed many by her stage performance in "The Lake," she has the no mean satisfaction of still retaining her high place in talking pictures.In "Spitfire," which is an adaptation of Lula Vollmer's play "Trigger," Miss Hepburn appears as Trigger Hicks, a wildcat of the South Carolina mountains. Trigger steals cards on which are bibilical quotations from a Sunday school and through them she learns to pray fervently. But she is apt to interrupt her religious mood to hurl stones at somebody who may be crossing the path outside her cabin. Her religious faith is strong and apparently so effective that others in the community eventually look upon her as a witch.Trigger is a girl with few inhibitions. There is no telling what she will do on the spur of the moment. The other mountain folk put up with her conduct until she steals a baby from its mother, because she felt that it was not being properly cared for. Kidnapping means nothing to her. She likes the infant and wishes to keep it, but an engineer who is working in the area persuades her to let him return the baby to its home.By all this it will be understood that Miss Hepburn has a busy time in this film. Her performance must have been an exhausting ordeal, for there are very few scenes in which she does not appear. She is arrayed in a drab frock and yet she always captivates one's attention.Trigger has an affection for her black cat, which she carries with her when she roams from her shack. One day she becomes temporarily enamored of a young married engineer named Stafford, but she despises him when his wife arrives on the scene. Fleetwood, Stafford's superior, also takes an interest in the plain-spoken and attractive wench and it is he who saves her from the fury of the mountaineers when they wish to stone her to death for having stolen the baby.Without Miss Hepburn's vital and persuasive acting, the story would be a depressing and colorless affair. Trigger's bright but hopelessly ignorant mind, however, serves not only to make the chronicle quite intriguing, but also to afford occasional moments of humor. For instance, Trigger prays that another girl may be made "brighter" and almost in the same breath, after overhearing some remark made by the object of her plea, she adds: "Not too bright."Besides Miss Hepburn's excellent characterization, Ralph Bellamy does understanding work as Fleetwood. Robert Young makes the most of the rôle of Stafford and Martha Sleeper is satisfactory as Mrs. Stafford. Sidney Toler, Louis Mason and Virginia Howell also give adequate portrayals.The Radio City Music Hall's stage show includes: "At the Race Track," which is in three scenes; Jacques Gasselin, a violinist; a production entitled "Hat Check Girl," with Gertrude Niesen, Isabelle Herbert, Dora Bosher and the Roxyettes; A. Robins; another presentation called "Love Is King," with Evelyn Duerler, George Meyer, the Condos Brothers and the ballet corps.
  SPITFIRE, an adaptation of Lula Vollmer's play "Trigger"; directed by John Cromwell; an RKO Radio production. At the Radio City Music Hall.Trigger Hicks . . . . . Katharine HepburnJohn Stafford . . . . . Robert YoungGeorge Fleetwood . . . . . Ralph BellamyEleanor Stafford . . . . . Martha SleeperMr. Sawyer . . . . . Sidney TolerBill Grayson . . . . . Louis MasonEtta Dawson . . . . . Sarah HadenGranny Raines . . . . . Virginia HowellWest Fry . . . . . High GhereMrs. Sawyer . . . . . Therese Wittler
  A version of this review appears in print on March 9, 1934 of the National edition with the headline: Katharine Hepburn as a Wild Girl of the Carolina Mountains in a Film Version of the Play 'Trigger.'. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe