Christopher Strong (also known as The Great Desire and The White Moth) is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama film produced by RKO and directed by Dorothy Arzner.

Lady Cynthia Darrington, a famous aviator, helps him, and goes along: She has never had a love affair and is a great deal older than 20.

Lady Elaine Strong, fears the friendship growing between Cynthia and Christopher, who insists that she is a good influence on their daughter.

Monica comes home with Harry one night, drunk, and Elaine tells him that if he is an honourable man he won't see her daughter again.

A distraught, suicidal Monica arrives to tell her that Harry, now divorced, refuses to marry her: She told him about her night with Carlo.

The next evening she asks him, “Suppose it were I?” Christopher makes it clear that it would be his duty to leave his wife and marry her.

She adds: “Courage can conquer even love.” As the plane climbs, flashbacks over the altimeter show her memories.

Originally under the working title of A Great Desire, the film was intended as a vehicle for Ann Harding and Leslie Howard.

Director Dorothy Arzner and playwright Zoë Akins based the character of Cynthia on British aviator Amy Johnson.

Christopher Strong represented the first opportunity for Hepburn to begin developing her screen image as an independent modern woman.

[4] Christopher Strong utilized newsreel footage of takeoffs for the around-the world Dole Air Race and the ticker tape parade celebrating Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight.

[6][7] In his review for The New York Times, film critic Mordaunt Hall described Christopher Strong as a star vehicle for Katharine Hepburn, "... who attracted wide attention through her efficient performance in 'A Bill of Divorcement', is the leading light in a pictorial version of Gilbert Frankau's novel, 'Christopher Strong' ...

In this her first stellar rôle, Miss Hepburn is far more fortunate than several other stage actresses have been in their initial Hollywood ventures, for aside from giving her excellent opportunities to display her talent, the story is engrossing, and, furthermore, she is supported by a highly capable cast ..."[8] An image of Hepburn in Christopher Strong wearing her aviator's flight suit was used for the poster advertising the Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1975.

[9] A studio in-joke, the life preserver seen in the opening scavenger hunt sequence, the "SS Venture", is from the ship in "King Kong", another RKO production, shot earlier that year.