Betting on a political sucker. Image: IMDb
Many in the western world believe society is progressive; that is, each generation improves upon the previous one.
While this outlook may apply to medicine and dessert, we’re not convinced it applies to politics.
For example, look at All the King’s Men (1949), a gritty, unvarnished film about political corruption and the ensuing casualties.
Broderick Crawford, in an Oscar-winning performance, plays the politician in question, a backwater hick who begins his illustrious career sans prospects or connections. At first, he’s regarded as an amusing patsy by the Political Machine, a man for the Establishment to mock. However, Crawford is no ordinary rube; with a gruelling regimen of study and hard work, he becomes a lawyer and, eventually governor of his state.
Now who’s laughing?
Once you’ve gained power, keeping it becomes the prime directive. Fortunately, history provides time-honoured tactics that are still used today, such as maligning and/or silencing your opponents, and employing staff to keep your hands clean.
It’s especially dirty business in Crawford’s state, where poverty is rampant and political bullies work to keep it That Way.
Man of the People: Image IMDb
As you may have guessed, All the King’s Men is not a film that restores your faith in humanity. Almost everyone here allows themselves to become corrupted to some extent so they can profit from one man’s success.
As for Crawford’s character, he’s remarkably unconcerned about steamrolling loved ones once he becomes governor. Some of the bodies crushed by his momentum are:
- his wife (Anne Seymour), who coaches him though law school.
- his campaign manager (Mercedes McCambridge), with whom he cheats on his wife, then cheats on her.
- members of his cabinet, who are forced to write undated letters of resignation for Crawford’s files, Just In Case.
Crawford-as-Public-Figure presents himself as a decent, upstanding man of the People, except he’s not; he talks and acts like a gangster. He has “boys” who Rough Up opponents, and he hires a “researcher” (John Ireland) to Dig Up Dirt on political enemies.
Crawford is perfectly cast as the populist politician. He has shifty eyes and a menacing smirk, as though he measures all the angles all the time. He is the very definition of Calculating.
For example, look at his reaction when he learns of sudden impeachment proceedings against him. Crawford races to the capital building – the driver can’t go fast enough! – yet, as he steps out of the car and into the anxious crowd awaiting news on the impeachment vote, he is calm and steely. “What’s the score?” he asks, as though arriving late at a football game.
One question the movie raises is: Can a person do good while using corrupt methods? Crawford’s character builds roads, schools and hospitals, all of which improve the average person’s Standard Of Living.
But his generosity is expensive. Even though citizens receive health care free of charge, they pay for it in other ways.
Would you trust this man? Image: IMDb
All the King’s Men was adapted from the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel by Robert Penn Warren which is, in part, the study of a political figure who resembles controversial Louisiana governor Huey Long. Long served as governor from 1928-1932, then was elected U.S. senator. He was assassinated in 1935.
This film was remade in 2006, starring Sean Penn. As good as the remake is, the 1949 version is more powerful, in our opinion, with stark black-and-white imagery and memorable performances. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress for McCambridge.
It also has a message that is, sadly, still relevant – 70 years later.
This post is part of The Anniversary Blogathon, hosted by the Classic Movie Blog Association.
All the King’s Men: starring Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Joanne Dru. Written by Robert Penn Warren and Robert Rossen. Directed by Robert Rossen. Columbia Pictures, 1949, 110 mins.
Silver Screenings 
An excellent account of a great movie — many thanks, Ruth. I keep meaning to lay hands on the novel.
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The novel is beautifully written, although its navel gazing can be a bit much at times. The governor is, by far, the most interesting character in the book.
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Thanks for the info, Ruth.
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You should read The Devil’s Dictionary (previously called The Cynic’s Dictionary) by Ambrose Bierce.
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A Cynic’s Dictionary sounds like just my style.
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You’d love it. I’ve quoted one or two on my blog but this one is still my favourite.
Acquaintance: “A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. A degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor or obscure, and intimate when he is rich or famous”
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That is perfect!!
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Ambrose Bierce led quite a life. A fascinating biography. And he wrote arguably the best short story ever written with An occurrence at Owl Creek
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There’s also a modern equivalent done by Chaz Bufe at See Sharp Press. I haven’t read it but the various entries he’s posted on the See Sharp blog have been amusing.
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Had a quick look. Sounds entertaining.
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Great and timely review! My mother once met Blanche Revere Long. That’s six degrees of separation for ya’. (Well, four, actually. Blanche was Huey’s sister-in-law.)
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No way!! That’s a neat story. Did your mother share her impressions of Blanche?
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All the King’s Men is “a dandy.” That’s how my late father would describe special movies; this among them. He would have nodded sagely and paid you a huge compliment given that opportunity.
I was in my early teens when I saw “Trial” which began my political cynicism and by the time I saw All the King’s Men for the first time, it was full-blown. I never pass up the opportunity to vote, but nothing “they” do surprises me.
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This movie would make me angry each time I see it, but the performances are so good – and the script so taut – that I get lost in it.
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So many years later and this film is more relevant than ever! Great post, Ruth! Thanks for joining in the blogathon.
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Thanks so much, John, and thank you for organizing this event.
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Great post, as always! I love the book, love this film version, and absolutely hate the bloated 2006 remake with Sean Penn (what a waste of a stellar cast, ugh). Unfortunately, I think that the message behind All the King’s Men will ALWAYS be relevant. Sigh.
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Sadly, I agree that the message here will always be timely.
As for the book, I thought some passages were exquisitely written. I could hardly put it down.
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Yes, it is an enthralling novel.
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Such a great movie! I agree the older one is way better. I haven’t read the book yet but I really should one of these days. I might have to agree about politics too hahaha. I feel like it gets worse instead of better!
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I like the 2006 remake, but I don’t find it haunting & memorable like the 1949 version. I don’t think I blinked once the first time I saw the older version, because it’s so mesmerizing.
As for the book, it has utterly beautiful writing in most places, but it has weak spots, too. Even so, it was a terrific read.
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Sigh…. enthralling, but so frightening – as you say – now more than ever. This film brilliantly captures the sordid underbelly and corrosive heart of politics. It enrages me. But, as you say, it is a great film with great performances. Thanks for a great and timely post (that might keep me up tonight).
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I think this film is a master class in filmmaking. Each time I watch it, I admire all aspects, from the script to the performances. I might stay up late tonight, too, to watch it yet again! 😉
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A great film. A brilliant book. You picked a real winner, I just wish it was less relevant these days than it is.
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I wish this film was less relevant, too, but it seems even more timely in today’s age, no? And that is truly depressing.
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We have our national election tomorrow, and the dirty politics is astonishing. And terrifying, when we consider that we might end up with a government not unlike the current Republican one.
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I hope it goes well tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to hear what the voter turn-out is.
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Probably too low, as usual.
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I quite enjoyed your review. It’s a good movie and I admire Crawford’s performance. However, it’s not a film that I desire to watch again. For movies about politics, I prefer The Best Man or Advise and Consent.
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I feel that way about Advise and Consent. An unflinching view of politics with stellar performances, but I don’t think I could ever watch it again.
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Great review! It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen this. Time to revisit it. (Mainly thinking to see Crawford and McCambridge [love her!]).
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Oh yeah, Mercedes McCambridge is always fabulous, whether on screen or on the radio.
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I soooo adore her DA radio show. I never know when I’ll catch it in the car on Sirius, but when I do, I’ve been known to wait until it’s over to get out. LOL. Her voice is a treat too.
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Great review Ruth. As the old French saying goes, the more things change the more they stay the same. This was a super selection for the anniversary blogathon. Happy to have been reminded of it.
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Thanks very much. And yes, the old French saying really holds true in this case, sadly…
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I’ve watched this film last year and it was incredibly powerful – and, as you said, unfortunately also relevant. From then on there have been many occasions when I was watching political news and I was reminded of this film – and also of A Face in the Crowd. Great analysis, as always.
Thanks for the kind comment!
Kisses!
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Oh yeah, A Face in the Crowd is another haunting film. It’s a shame that neither of these films is better known, no?
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I saw the remake but not the original. I will have to look it up. Thank you!
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I think the original is a much more powerful film than the remake – although I do love Sean Penn in the remake. I hope you get a chance to see the original.
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If I’m not mistaken, Crawford’s last picture was a small but funny part in the 1979 film A LITTLE ROMANCE, starring Laurence Olivier (if you haven’t seen it, it’s a wonderful little film which appears occasionally on TCM).
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I hadn’t heard of it until you mentioned it, and I think I’ll like it very much. Thanks for the heads up!
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My pleasure (and it’ll be your pleasure when you see it)!
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Well, many individuals get involved in politics with very good intentions to help improve the standard of a city or country, but over time the system of politics tends to change and corrupt many. There is also the matter of tasting power and then refusing to give it up.
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You make excellent points, especially when it comes to not wanting to give up power once you have it. And that that kind of conflict can be extremely viscous, as we’ve seen in various nations. Thank you for stopping by.
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