Summary
The other party is in disarray. Five men vie for the party nomination for president. No one has a majority as the first ballot closes and the front-runners begin to decide how badly they want the job.
Cast
Henry Fonda
William Russell
Cliff Robertson
Joe Cantwell
Edie Adams
Mabel Cantwell
Margaret Leighton
Alice Russell
Shelley Berman
Sheldon Bascomb
Lee Tracy
President Art Hockstader
Ann Sothern
Sue Ellen Gamadge
Gene Raymond
Don Cantwell
Kevin McCarthy
Dick Jensen
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Howard K. Smith
Howard K. Smith
John Henry Faulk
Gov. T.T. Claypoole
Richard Arlen
Sen. Oscar Anderson
Penny Singleton
Mrs. Claypoole (scenes deleted)
George Kirgo
Speechwriter
George Furth
Tom
Anne Newman Bacal
Janet (as Anne Newman)
Mary Lawrence
Mrs. Merwin
H.E. West
Sen. Lazarus
Michael MacDonald
Zealot
William R. Ebersol
Gov. John Merwin
Natalie Masters
Mrs. Anderson
Marie Blake
Cleaning Woman (as Blossom Rock)
Bill Stout
Bill Stout
Tyler McVey
Chairman
Sherwood Keith
Doctor
Leoda Richards
Convention Attendee (uncredited)
Gore Vidal
Delegate (uncredited)
John Alban
Banquet Guest (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich
Delegate (uncredited)
Leon Alton
Russell Supporter (uncredited)
Don Ames
Supporter (uncredited)
David Armstrong
Russell Campaign Worker (uncredited)
Billy Beck
Party Guest (uncredited)
George Bruggeman
Reporter (uncredited)
Donald Chaffin
Supporter (uncredited)
Dick Cherney
Reporter (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
Man at Pool (uncredited)
Rupert Crosse
Reporter (uncredited)
Jack Daly
Photographer (uncredited)
George DeNormand
Cantwell Supporter (uncredited)
Kenneth Gibson
Reporter (uncredited)
Herschel Graham
Campaign Worker (uncredited)
Sam Harris
Cantwell Supporter (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Franklin J. Schaffner
Screenplay, Story
Gore Vidal
Reviews
Geronimo1967
April 4, 2022
7
As the presidential nomination process comes to it's chaotic climax, the two leading candidates are deadlocked. The more principled "Russell" (Henry Fonda) and the more savvy "Cantwell" (Cliff Robertson) are trying to get the approval of the former president "Hockstader" (Lee Tracy) whilst the former tries to avoid the whole process becoming mired in personal issues (and back-stabbing). Like so many films that depict American political process, it presents a scenario in which it's rarely the best man who wins and the so-called "Land of the Free" proves anything but! Neither of these candidates really merit the job, it all just boils down to which is going to be prepared to scrape the bottom of the barrel and ruin the reputation of the other. Both Fonda and Robertson are on good form, but pale by comparison with the rather manipulative and scheming Tracy whom you could actually believe held high office once. The pace is good, there is plenty of intrigue and as the denouement looms, I was still never quite sure who was going to come out on top. I liked the ending, though I did feel it was just a little bit of a cop out. Almost as if Gore Vidal didn't really want to make a choice either! Nobody is all bad, nobody is all good - but is compromise always the best answer? It's good, this.
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00
