“Still Safe At Home At the Movies….Politics and Election Time” November 2020 Vol, I, No. 8 by Stephanie Mardesich
“Still Safe At Home At the Movies….Politics and Election Time” November 2020
by Stephanie Mardesich
November is the big national and regional election month in the U.S.A., this year with Presidential candidates among other political offices on the ballot. Films pertaining to the back room and front page antics of government provide historical reference, provide insight, can be amusing, as if the “real thing” isn’t that, and provocatively entertaining from “Mr. Smith” to “Betty Boop” enjoy the plethora of politics at the movie!
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1939, 129 min., dir Frank Capra)
Idealism personified with idealist James Stewart as Jefferson Smith recruited to take over Senate seat after death of the officeholder. His “innocence” makes him malleable for the party “rulers”, however once enlightened Jefferson overcomes his disillusionment and speaks up and out in the famous filibuster scene, that truth and values of the founding fathers should prevail. Strong cast includes Claude Rains as duplicitous Senator Joseph Paine and Harry Carey President of the Senate, Edward Arnold as power monger Jim Taylor, Beulah Bondi (Ma Smith). and comical Guy Kibee (Governor Hopper).
Film garnered Academy Award® “best writing, original story,” five more nominations for “Best” picture, director, actor lead (Stewart), supporting actor (for Carey & Rains). Curiously Jean Arthur (Clarisa Saunderss). who was irreplaceable, didn’t get a nod, and should have at least for best supporting actress. 1939 was a stellar year in film led by Gone With the Wind, and including Good Bye Mr. Chips, Ninotchka, Dark Victory, Of Mice And Men, the award worthy movie was in tough competition, though stands up today as well as when it was made – it couldn’t be better or more inspiring!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031679/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Abe Lincoln In Illinois (USA, Max Gordon Plays & Pictures Corp., 1940, 110 min., dir. John Cromwell)
Exceptional depiction of “Honest Abe”Lincoln (Raymond Massey) with underlying romance, and dramatic license not withstanding is outstanding portrayal of the era and Lincoln’s background and journey to the White House eventually 16th President of the U.S.A.
The famous “Lincoln Douglas Debates” of 1858 that were probably the first ever on national political stage attended by throngs of populace from Illinois and surrounding states. It was intense race for new (Republican) candidate Lincoln against incumbent (Democrat) Douglas and the issue of slavery was of great consideration. Excellent supporting cast includes “reliable” Ruth Gordon (Mary Todd Lincoln), lovely Mary Howard (Ann Rutledge), Howard DeSilva (Jack Armstrong – note he played Ben Franklin decades later in 1776) Script by esteemed Robert Sherwood, Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award® winner (The Best Years Of Our Lives, 1946) should have had had Oscar® nod.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032181/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Farmer’s Daughter (USA, Vanguard Films-Dore Shary Productions, 1947, 97 min., dir. H.C. Potter)
Delightful inspiring and entertaining story of innocent, yet tenacious, Minnesota farm girl, Swedish-American Katrin “Katie” Holstrom (Loretta Young). Her intention is to go to nursing school, however she’s swindled out of tuition and who goes to work as domestic in home of Congressman Glen Morley (Joseph Cotten) who resides with his sagely elegant mother Mrs. Morley (Ethel Barrymore).
Katie’s idealism counters Morley’s politician savvy cynicism and many lessons learned as romance develops. Household manager cum butler Joseph Clancy (Charles Bickford ) mentors her to become a force of politics in her own right. Best Actress Oscar® win for Young and nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Bickford. My favorite line is the “fish for sale” moment – watch for it!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039370/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
State of the Union (USA, Liberty Films, 1948, 124 min., dir. Frank Capra)
“Don’t you shut me off, I’m paying for this broadcast!” says Spencer Tracy as Grant Matthews, in a line later paraphrased by Ronald Reagan. While the springboard for Reagan’s career was being a hired spokesperson for established interests, in State of the Union that proves to be the Tracy character’s ruin. Matthews is a patriotic aviation industrialist who has built his career on harmonious relations between management and labor; when he’s courted by Angela Lansbury’s (Kay Thorndyke) press magnate and the Republican party, he claims no interest in being President, but they see he has “idealism out of one eye and ambition out of the other”. Katharine Hepburn, as his wife Mary, reflects “I know he’s a big man, you know he’s a big man – my bad days are when he knows he’s a big man.” Van Johnson (Spike McManus) & Adolphe Menjou (Jim Conover) add to strong cast.
Hepburn watches as Tracy becomes power-hungry, seduced by PACTS and eroding his true message until he’s “a party to his own murder”. Typically for director Frank Capra, redemption is found in spite of the system’s flaws and corruption; later, in the Vietnam era, Robert Redford would star in Michael Ritchie’s The Candidate (1972), the cynical and hopeless version of this same compromised idealist narrative.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040834/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
All The King’s Men
Screen adaptation of Robert Penn Warren’s best selling book that many believe is based very much on Huey P. Long “Kingfish” of Louisiana. Broderick Crawford portrays Willie Stark honest southern lawyer corrupted by power, in tour de force Oscar® winning role for Best Actor.
Advise & Consent (USA, Otto Preminger Films, 1962, 149 min., dir. Otto Preminger
Based on acclaimed novel by Alan Drury, an intense “inside view” of legislative process in Washington, D.C. and the “players” from every angle with immense tension. The President’s (Franchot Tone) nominee for Secretary of State is veritably put on trial with the hearings to review his qualifications.
Stellar cast includes Henry Fonda, Lew Ayers, Walter Pidgeon, Charles Laughton, Gene Tierney, Peter Lawford, Burgess Meredith, Betty White and many more.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055728/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
The Best Man (USA, Miller Turman Productions 1964, 014 min., dir. Franklin J. Schaffner)
Two leading candidates Henry Fonda (William Russell) and Cliff Robertson (Joe Cantwell) are their party's presidential nomination, one with principles the other ruthless, vie for former President's endorsement. Both men of dubious character not flattering for “politician” image that many do not trust’ an Gore Vidal’s incisive script offers much to consider. Oscar® nod for Best Supporting Actor for Lee Tracy (President Art Hockstader). Margatet Leighton (Alice Russell) and Edie Adams (Mabel Cantwell) are supportive spouses or are they? Gore Vidal script
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057883/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_68
The Candidate (USA, Redford-Ritchie Productions, 1972, 110 min., PG, dir. Michael Ritchie)
Stars Robert Redford as lawyer Bill McKay recruited by Democratic party to run for U.S. Senate anticipating he can’t win, but could be “manipulated.” When the stakes change and McKay demonstrates his individuality the outcome could be different and he’s not to be controlled. Is it true “when you win you lose?” Terrific supporting performances by Melvyn Douglas (John J. McKay) and Peter Boyle (Marvin Lucas), Allen Garfield (Klein). Oscar® for best script based on previously unpublished material.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068334/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Primary Colors (USA, Award Entertainment & BBC, 1998, 143 min., R, dir. Mike Nichols)
Speculation is that Governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) and wife Susan (Emma Thompson) are modeled after a real like “first couple” and you’ll have to access for yourself. The Governor is running for President of the USA, and faces many obstacle including a “sex scandal>’ Strong supporting cast includes Kathy Bates (Libby Holden), Billy Bob Thornton (Richard Jemmons), Larry Hagman (Gov.Fred Picker), Diane Ladd (Mamma Stanton). Some scenes filmed in San Pedro. Academy Award® nod for Bates as “Best Supporting Actress” and Elaine May for original script.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119942/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_42
Speechless (USA, MGM/Forge, 1994, 99 min., PG-13, dir. Ron Underwood)
Polemic politics leads to romance when “behind the scene” when speech writers Kevin Valick (Michael Keaton) and Julia Mann (Geena Davis) for opposing candidates for U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico meet in the hotel gift shop seeking cure for insomnia. Quick pace, comic banter and great chemistry between the leads offers comic relief, including media guy Christopher Reeve (Robert Freed aka “Bhagdad Bob”) Julia’s former beau, from tedious political theme.
Golden Globe nod for Davis “Best Actress Comedy or Musical”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111256/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
The American President (USA, 1995, 114 min., PG-13, dir. Rob Reiner)
More romance in Washington, D.C. when incumbent widower President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) falls for White House lobbyist Sydney Wade (Annette Bening) and keeps the clandestine relationship private until his undermining opponent Senator Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss) launches a divisive attack. Martin Sheen (A.J. MacInerney) and Michael J. Fox (Lewis Rothschild) add to the sophisticated humor.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Now for the “real” candidates – take your pick between:
Popeye For President
Betty Boop For President (USA, Fleischer Studios, 1932, 7 min., animation, dir. Dave Fleischer)
In the era of the Great Depression, the Fleischer brothers (Popeye) released this one-reel cartoon in which adorable as ever Betty Boop promises “some heidi-ho” and “I’ll give you all a great big kiss when I’m the President.” The opponent “Mr. Nobody” offers tax cuts while Betty’s campaign song is a fantasy of street cars climbing up apartment blocks to pick up individual citizens, a giant umbrella to protect America from rain and, more importantly to citizens living under the Volstead Act (Prohibition), a big frothing mug of beer. Curiously if she’d won she might have been the first woman President – boop oop a doop!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022667/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.
For more see:
(to look up films) www.imdb.com
www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)
www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)