Der beste Mann

In the 1980 New Hampshire primary, an exasperated Ronald Reagan blurted out the famous line "I'm paying for this microphone!" when a moderator threaten to turn off the microphones at an unruly debate. It was a hugely successful and defining moment for Reagan, nailing down his image as a man of rugged independence who refused to suffer fools gladly -- to say nothing of his ability to craft a clever quip. However, given his Hollywood roots, it seems more likely he consciously or unconsciously lifted this line from Spencer Tracy's character in "State of the Union."

This is my favorite Tracy-Hepburn film and one of my favorite Frank Capra films. I recommend reading Capra's out-of-print biography, "The Name Above the Title" for the interesting story of the reaction to this film by official Washington in 1948.

Quite reminiscent of "Meet John Doe," the story tests the character of a man against the political power-brokers who want to use him for their own purposes. Ideals battle pragmatism in ways that still ring true 50+ years later.

Angela Landsbury is a wicked woman (can we call her a fem fa tale?) in an amazing performance foreshadowing her role in 1962's "Manchurian Candidate." Adolphe Menjou's sleazy political boss is about a greasy as they come.

All in all there is nothing like a Capra film to make me what to stick to my principles and listen to the people who really love me. Add to Capra's theme of the inherent wisdom of the people this first rate group of actors and you have two hours of time well spent.

`Is there any difference between Democrats and Republicans?' `The difference is that they're in and we're out.' -- A line from State of the Union, one of only a handful of political films to use direct partisan language.

Based on a 1945 play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse, State of the Union marked Frank Capra's return to the political genera. This film is also the third of nine pictures featuring Spencer Tracey and Katharine Hepburn. In this outing, Tracey plays Grant Matthews, a famous aircraft tycoon courted by the Republican Party to become their candidate for President of the United States. The film's title, in addition to referring to the country, is also a metaphor for Matthews' relationship with his wife, Mary (Hepburn). The two are having marital problems sparked by Matthews' affair with a newspaper heir Kay Thorndyke (played by a 22-year-old Angela Lansbury convincingly portraying a woman in her forties).

Once the campaign is underway, the classic theme of a good man sacrificing his ideals in order to win begins to surface. Matthews' speeches are reworked as to not offend any big political establishments (e.g. big business, labor, agriculture, etc.), and soon he begins to loose his own voice along with his identity. Finally, in the film's climax, Matthews is forced to choose between a certain nomination for the presidency or a wife who represents his true character.

Incidentally, for a movie centered on a republican character, State of the Union does not focus on a conventional conservative theme, nor does it only target liberals. The film ribs big business, `the American Dream is not about making money,' in addition to labor. And even though Harry S Truman is the subject of several quips, he was said to have really enjoyed the film, often playing it on his presidential yacht.

At the box office, State of the Union performed better in smaller outlets than large markets. It premiered at New York's Radio City Music Hall to a opening week of $137,000, `this is a bit under hopes, especially in view of intensive advance campaign and strong reviews,' reported Varitey. In Los Angeles, the film opened at No. 1 with $52,000 but `not a smash.' Though in markets such as Minneapolis, Kansas City and Seattle, the film pulled big numbers. Overall the film was a success, but it did not match the box office bounty of Capra's earlier films including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or the other Tracey/Hepburn parings for that matter (e.g. Adam's Rib, Pat & Mike, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner).

This is a political fable but basically an emotive drama dealing with an American businessman (Spencer Tracy) who is encouraged by opportunities to run the presidency and while leaving his integrity behind in the process . Along the way , the cunning and powerful named Kay Thorndyke (Dame Angela Lansbury) helps him become Republican nominee for President . Then the party machine starts to worry as he begins speaking for himself and against ambition and corrupt politicians . His estranged wife (Katharine Hepburn) is asked to return so they can masquerade as a loving couple for the sake of his political career . As she attempts to help him , as the backstage political machinations erode his personal convictions . How's the State of the Union? It's GREAT!

Another Spencer Tracy/Katharine Hepburn vehicle with wonderful wisecracks , being adapted from a highly successful , topical Broadway play , but the writers Anthony Veiller , Myles Connnolly and Frank Capra himself changed dialogue constantly to reflect the news . Capra and his colleagues at Liberty Picture originally hoped to cast Cary Cooper and Claudette Colbert . Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn are a joy to see , as usual . Here shines Spencer Tracy giving an excelent acting , providing a tour-de-force in his outburst at the end that reminds one of the speech he was to make nearly twenty years after at his last film : Guess who's coming to dinner . But this movie loses much of its impact due to much overtalking and the overuse of obvious political stereotypes in its main and supporting players . Hepburn and Menjou were at odds politically , over communist witch hunts in Hollywood with the House Un-American Activities Committee or House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC or HCU) , but they are really splendid together onscreen. Remaining secondary cast are frankly fabulous , as they're very well accompanied by Angela Lansbury who has a magnificent nasty role which she performs icily and to the hilt , along with Van Johnson , Adolphe Menjou , Lewis Stone, Charles Dingle , Howard Smith , Raymond Walburn , Margaret Hamilton , among others.

The motion picture was well directed by Frank Capra who carries out a sharp dissection of political chicanery and delivering good acting from the prestigious actors . Frank Capra was an expert in manipulating emotions such as proved in his films of the 1930s and 1940s , as he influenced the lives and beliefs of people of the nation with movies as 'Mr Deeds goes to town' ,' It happened one night' , 'You can't take it with you' , 'It's wonderful life' , 'Mr Smith goes to Washington' , ' Mr Deeds goes to town' , and 'Meet John Doe' . State of the Union (1948) rating : 6.5/10 . The flick will appeal to Spencer Tracy , Katharine Hepburn fans , as well as Frank Capra enthusiasts.

It's ironic that this is probably the least well-known of the Tracy/Hepburn collaborations--and yet, it's among their best as far as performances and overall content is concerned. Everyone, including KATHARINE HEPBURN and SPENCER TRACY, looks good in this film. VAN JOHNSON has one of his most engaging roles as the good guy who sees through the manipulations of corrupt ANGELA LANSBURY and ADOLPHE MENJOU.

And so, dirty politics is the theme of this film taken from the stage play by Howard Lindsey and Russel Crouse that starred RALPH BELLAMY and RUTH HUSSEY. Unfortunately, as directed by Frank Capra, it has a certain staginess about the proceedings with actors making entrances and exits as if on cue in rather static situations. But it's a pretty polished script and it's amusing to see the wonderful ANGELA LANSBURY (all of 23) playing a sophisticated woman in her 40s with such ease and perfection.

Spencer has a role tailor-made for his abilities, a man whose integrity is so challenged that he refuses to play by the rules of the game and play party politics. Hepburn, as the wife aware of his affair with Lansbury, is forthright and honest in her performance and, thankfully, less mannered than usual.

Still timely in the way it talks about Republicans and Democrats, it's worth seeing for the marvelous cast and what they manage to do with the stage material. The title, of course, refers to politics as well as the marital union of Tracy and Hepburn.