IMDb RATING
7.6/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 5 nominations total
Penny Singleton
- Mrs. Claypoole
- (scenes deleted)
Anne Newman Bacal
- Janet
- (as Anne Newman)
- Director
- Writer
- Gore Vidal(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLegend suggests that the future Republican American President Ronald Reagan, late in his previous career as a Hollywood actor, was rejected for a role in this film because a studio executive at United Artists didn't think he had "that presidential look". However, Gore Vidal, in one of his several essays attacking Reagan's presidency, says that Reagan was actually considered for the role of Joe Cantwell during preparations for the first Broadway production of his original play in 1960. (Frank Lovejoy eventually played Cantwell on stage). 1964, the year the film version appeared, was the year Reagan decisively left acting for politics, so Vidal's version of the story is the more likely.
- GoofsDuring the roll call, the chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation begins his announcement by saying "Mr Chairman, the State of Pennsylvania....". Pennsylvania is actually a Commonwealth, and any leading politician would refer to it as such.
- Quotes
Joe Cantwell: I don't understand you.
William Russell: I know you don't. Because you have no sense of responsibility toward anybody or anything. And that is a tragedy in a man, and it is a disaster in a president.
- Crazy creditsDuring the opening credits, a picture of every single U.S. President appears in order, from George Washington to Lyndon Johnson.
Featured review
The Great Lee Tracy Actually Gets To Curse On screen
What a pleasure to see Lee Tracy in his later years! He plays a President who is terminally ill-- not that Conservative, mudslinging candidate Cliff Robertson cares about his health.
The movie has some weird, faux cinema verite angles. It may not be great art as a movie. But what a screenplay, courtesy of Gore Vidal! Rarely are audiences treated to such literate dialogue and politic insight and wisdom.
Henry Fonda is very good as the upright candidate in a primary. Margaret Leighton, whom I love, is charming as his wife, though it's odd that a senator would have a British-accented wife.
Robertson, not a particular favorite generally, is superb as his rival. His tactics make the flesh crawl.
Kevin McCarthy as Fonda's aid is very good. Edie Adams as a political hostess is a scream -- and she seems just right.
And Tracy. He is both funny and touching. What a splendid actor that man was! In so many early movies, he delivered long, elegant bits of dialogue in what seemed to be a single take. That guy was load with talent. What a shame he self-destructed. But here he was, back again.
This is one of a kind and most definitely worth a visit.
The movie has some weird, faux cinema verite angles. It may not be great art as a movie. But what a screenplay, courtesy of Gore Vidal! Rarely are audiences treated to such literate dialogue and politic insight and wisdom.
Henry Fonda is very good as the upright candidate in a primary. Margaret Leighton, whom I love, is charming as his wife, though it's odd that a senator would have a British-accented wife.
Robertson, not a particular favorite generally, is superb as his rival. His tactics make the flesh crawl.
Kevin McCarthy as Fonda's aid is very good. Edie Adams as a political hostess is a scream -- and she seems just right.
And Tracy. He is both funny and touching. What a splendid actor that man was! In so many early movies, he delivered long, elegant bits of dialogue in what seemed to be a single take. That guy was load with talent. What a shame he self-destructed. But here he was, back again.
This is one of a kind and most definitely worth a visit.
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- Handlinghandel
- Feb 22, 2006
- How long is The Best Man?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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