It is unfortunate that Spencer Tracey was cast in the pivotal role of the Colonel, as he sleepwalks thru the entire picture! The emotional fireworks come from the relationship between Katharine Hepburn and Melvyn Douglas, as the illicit lovers. As for Robert Walker in the role of the illegitimate son(and that was quite a stretch in the 1940's), he walks away with the picture! What a pity that Spencer Tracy was cast-it would have been a much better picture without him! It is also a great pity that such a noted director as Elia Kazan was not allowed to film on location, which would have added so much to the ambiance of this picture. As it is, Kazan is able to interject great tension is some of the scenes, most notably in Robert Walker's death scene. A pity Mr. Tracy was not up to the challenge.
Review of The Sea of Grass
