I am not surprised that this film earned it's star, James Whitmore, an Academy Award nomination. I would think that it would be better aired on television. He would have easily earned an Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Television Film. It is better to get an Academy Award nomination than an Emmy Award but I still think it's one of the best performances that I have seen by an actor in years. James Whitmore really captures the essence and presence of President Harry Truman. In his brilliant performance, staged and film, he is alive in a role that has consumed him. You really believe that he is Harry Truman after awhile. I still think it would have been seen more by people on television than in the cinemas because this little film has that kind of power. I am sure that many more people would have seen it and that is the key to ensuring it's legacy. I am glad that they released it in cinemas but they probably made little or no money on it. It would have been better to have aired it on television. One man performance even with James Whitmore's talent and genius could not hinge the fact that he is the only person on stage. While brilliant to watch, today's standards would never allow somebody in a one person show unless it's a comedian. As for Truman's power, this film is an excellent tool that can be used in the history classrooms to show this former President. I love how he talks about his wife Bess, his mother-in-law Mother Wallace, FDR, and others. Truman also talks about the klan, racism, and others in this performance that he will be best remembered for.
Review of Give 'em Hell, Harry!
