Customer Reviews

Advise & Consent [VHS]

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Talk about an all-star cast: when Otto Preminger brought Allan Drury's epic study of a Senate confirmation of a morally ambiguous nominee for Secretary of State, he got just about everyone in Hollywood to participate. Though the best roles go to Charles Laughton as a manipulative (but intensely likeable) South Carolina senator and Franchot Tone as the tortured President, not everyone got so lucky; the novel had so many characters that some big actors (like Gene Tierney, wasted as a Washington hostess) are pretty much trapped in throwaway roles.

Preminger was pretty progressive by Hollywood standards, and so the Senate he depicts is remarkably diverse, with senators of many ethnic backgrounds. There's a great cameo (the film's standout moment) from Betty White, who, as a shrewd Kansas senator, trounces George Grizzard, the despicable Senator Van Ackerman (from Wyoming, of course, so as to offend the least number of audience members possible) in open debate on the Senate floor. Preminger was really daring (for the time) in his willingness to tackle the subject of the blackmail of homosexuals in the film. It should be said, however, that the film's notorious depiction of a gay bar (the first Hollywood film to do so openly since the institution of the Hays code) as a nightmarish cesspool of vice, where the fat effeminate bartender hysterically beckons in the horrified Don Murray (see my title), probably did more to keep gay men in the closet in the Sixties than anything Hollywood ever did.

This ultra-realistic 1962 drama of the goings-on in Washington, D.C. must rank as one of the best films of its type ever made. It's a lengthy one (2 hrs., 19 min.), but it never gets dry. The many veteran actors assembled to comprise this cast see to that. The roster includes Henry Fonda, Franchot Tone, Charles Laughton, Lew Ayres, Walter Pidgeon, and Burgess Meredith! There's also Don Murray, who probably gets more screen time here than anyone else. And I think Murray shines bright in his role as the senator with a deep, dark secret! Pidgeon is also particularly convincing in this film. This was Mr. Laughton's final motion picture.

If you've never seen Advise & Consent ..... then get it today! It's a thoroughly engrossing and powerful movie experience!

Otto Preminger's film version of Allen Drury's classic political novel was quite the event in 1962 but today, it all seems quite tame. Both the film and novel deal with the political intrigues surrounding the nomination of Robert Leffingwell to be Secretary of State. Drury's deeply cynical novel drew its power through its complex characterizations and its then shocking portrait of an American government dominated by self-interest and hypocricy. Preminger, in his film version, actually tones down the novel but, on the whole, sticks to Drury's basic vision. The film does a pretty good job of establishing the many different conflicts and subplots that swirl around Leffingwell's nomination but the film's characters are never quite as vibrant as they are in Drury's novel. As a director, Preminger usually alternated between being excessively lurid or courageously honest. Here, perhaps intimidated by the scope of the film, Preminger's direction is sadly stodgy and, if not for several fine perfomances, the film's pace would probably be too draggy for most viewers. As well, in today's times, much of the film's controversy seems rather dated. We're no longer shocked to see the President presented as a devious power broker or to find out that a Senator is secretly homosexual. However, in 1962, these were truly bold statements to make. The film has been rightfully criticized for its trashy portrayal of homosexuals (with the prerequisite decadent sax blaring when closeted Don Murray desperately runs from one gay tiki bar to another) but at the same time, its also one of the few films of that era in which a gay character is presented sympathetically and certainly Preminger made a strong statement, for the time, by casting clean-cut, Mormon Murray in the role as opposed to the typically shifty people usually given such parts.

That said, this is a film that will entertain political junkies. The portrayal of the workings of the U.S. Senate are fairly realistic and the storyline is nicely complex and doesn't reduce the issues to the typical black-and-white issues of most overtly political films. The cast is literally all-star with Henry Fonda and Charles Laughton as the two big names. Both actors are actually a bit disappointing. As Leffingwell, Fonda is in full wise man mode and as such, comes across as a bit of a bore. As a Southern Senator, Laughton goes overboard and his fake accent is overdone even by the standards of most fake Southern accents. However, the lesser stars in the cast all turn in finely tuned performances -- even if it is a little bit jarring to see Betty White sitting in the U.S. Senate. Already in decline, former leading man Franchot Tone is almost painfully believable as the dying President while Lew Ayres makes the perfect likeable but lightweight Vice President. Walter Pidgeon, as the Senate majority leader, conveys the man's overall benevolence while still remaining a credible power player. As womanizer Lafe Smith, Peter Lawford at times seems to be channelling more of his famous brother-in-law than '60s audiences would have liked to admit while Burgess Meredith is both pathetic and heart-rendering as an unstable former communist who accuses Leffingwell of being a subversive. Its impossible, for me at least, to read Drury's novel without picturing Don Murray as tormented Brig Anderson, so powerfully does Murray inhabit the role. However, the best performance goes to one of the more unsung members of the cast. As Sen. Fred Van Ackerman, character actor George Grizzard perfectly embodies the man's evil blandness and creates a character who is actually much more menacing the more hysterical portrait presented by Drury in his original novel and its sequels.

In short, this is not a perfect film. However, despite its flaws, it should still hold a lot of interest for political junkies or anyone who wants a chance to see some unheralded actors give some really outstanding ensemble performances.

Advise and Consent is really quite a remarkable film. You'd have to search high and low to find a higher-caliber cast, the script's behind-the-scenes look at the reality of politics remains just a relevant today as it was in 1962, and the whole presentation is just flawless. Heck, even Peter Lawford's good in this movie. That Otto Preminger really knew what he was doing; the man still doesn't get all the credit he deserves. I think he must have had his own super-secret superior cameras because the clarity and overall video quality of this film is beyond amazing. This thing looks sharper and better than most movies being churned out today.

The basic premise of the film is rather simple. The President has nominated a controversial man to become Secretary of State, dropping the nomination like a little bomb on his own party and thus setting the stage for a good bit of ugliness in the Senate - with most of the trouble coming from the President's own majority party. On one end, there's a brash, still-wet-behind-the-ears primadonna who wants to use the media attention to make a name for himself; on the other end is an old curmudgeon of the Senate who opposes the nominee largely for personal reasons. The minority party (led by none other than Will "Grandpa Walton" Geer) pretty much sits back and enjoys the show- but this isn't fun and games, at all. The nominee faces charges that he was at one time a Communist, and the back alley manipulations of unscrupulous Senators push the chairman of the relevant subcommittee to the breaking point. The politics of this era played out in exaggeratedly civil terms, but deep down it was just as ugly as anything you'll see today on the floor of the Senate, where civility has quite disappeared.

The only thing that has been lost over the decades since this film was released in 1962 is the close connection between the men on the screen and the actual power players of Washington during that era. The story was fictitious, but Pulitzer-Prize winning author Alan Drury crafted the novel upon which the film is based on real people and events. Peter Lawford, appropriately enough, played a Senator modeled on JFK, George Grizzard's character supposedly represented Joseph McCarthy (although I find him quite unlike that great patriot), etc. I thought this was going to be some subtle dramatization of McCarthy's crusade against Communists, but it goes much deeper into the heart of power than that. In fact, Robert Leffingwell (played masterfully by Henry Fonda), the nominee accused of Communist associations, gets surprisingly little screen time. Stealing the show, most viewers would agree, is Charles Laughton as the Honorable Senator from South Carolina, a man adamantly opposed to the President's nomination and willing to go to great lengths to see Mr. Leffingwell turned away at the gate. With his charming (albeit unauthentic) Southern drawl and constant the-cat-who-ate-the-canary facial expressions, he proves himself quite a force to be reckoned with. As the movie progresses, however, the focus shifts more and more toward Senator Bigham Anderson, the sub-committee chairman who eventually butts heads with the President and learns that the extraordinary act of putting principles over politics can be a dangerous business. Personally, though, I thought Walter Pidgeon gave the best performance of all in his role as the Senate Majority Leader, one of the few characters to emerge in the end as a man of both practicality and honor.

I have to think this was a pretty bold film for its time, particularly in terms of the story's most startling revelation. Nowadays, we know just how ugly politics really is, but I doubt too many men had shone a flashlight of truth into the Senate's hallowed halls before 1962. Sadly, today's audiences may find all the hullabaloo of this story exceedingly tame, yet there's no taking away from the power this film still possesses. Politics was, is, and always will be a sort of game to many elected officials. They get down in the mud and wallow largely because they enjoy it, especially if it gets their faces on the national news. Far too often, though, the games of these petty men and women are taken much too far, and that leads to tragedy - for individuals, for parties, and for the whole country. This film's truths are today's truths, and as long as Senators pitch hissy fits on all sides over the process of exercising their Constitutional duty to advise and consent and, more importantly, put their own selfish, vindictive motives over the interests of the men and women they are supposed to represent, this film will remain as relevant as it ever was.

As a Congressional correspondent for the New York Times during the 1950s, author Allen Drury had ample opportunity to witness Washington politicians in their natural habit---and drew upon numerous factual sources, including the controversial Alger Hiss case and the scandalous suicide of Senator Lester Hunt, to create the story of a controversial nominee for Secretary of State. The novel was not only a best seller, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

It was also a book that Hollywood could not film under the film industry's notorious Production Code. As it happened, the book fell into the hands of director Otto Preminger, long-time foe of Hollywood's rules for self-censorship. He not only made the film, he flagrantly broke the code; as such, ADVISE AND CONSENT presents our nation's leaders embroiled in a blackmail plot, finds actress Gene Tierney using the word `bitch,' and became the first Hollywood film to show a gay bar. It was shocking stuff for 1962.

The story is extremely convoluted. An aging and extremely ill President makes a highly controversial nomination for Secretary of State---which is opposed by a member of his own party, who bears the nominee a personal grudge and who attempts to derail the nomination by accusing the nominee of former membership in the Communist Party. This in turn touches off a vicious battle between those in the party who support the nominee and those who don't, a battle that will ultimately result in the suicide of the only character who has the integrity we would like to see in our political leaders.

The cast is indeed remarkable and, from Lew Ayres to Betty White, plays with considerable conviction and tremendous restraint. Henry Fonda is often cited as the star of the film, but in truth he appears in the small but pivotal role of Robert Leffingwell, nominee for Secretary of State. Screen time is divided between Walter Pigeon as the Majority Leader, Charles Laughton as the senator who opposes the nomination, and Don Murray, an idealist who finds himself chairing the nomination committee. All three play extremely well, but it is really Laughton---in his final screen role---who walks off with the film as the devious and openly vicious Senator from South Carolina. The trio is ably supported by a dream cast that includes Franchot Tone as the President, Lew Ayres as the Vice President, George Grizzard as a growling ideologue, Gene Tierney as a society hostess---and yes, Betty White, who offers a brief turn as the Senator from Kansas.

It has become fashionable to dismiss Otto Preminger films of the 1950s and 1960s as ponderous, all-star, and pseudo-intellectual trash, and indeed it is difficult to find much positive to say about films like EXODUS and HURRY SUNDOWN these days. But Preminger is in many ways under-rated; his films have not always dated well in terms of subject, but they hold up extremely well in the way in which they are put together, with ADVISE AND CONSENT a case in point---and it is worth pointing out that accusations of leftism, adultery, and homosexuality are still enough to prompt everything from impeachment to congressional hearings to resignations. Nor has the process of the political dance itself changed greatly between then and now.

The great flaw of the film is its conclusion, which seems facile to the point of being hokey---but this is also the great flaw of the novel, which ends in much the same way--and at times ADVISE AND CONSENT seems more than a little dry. All the same, it remains a movie worth watching, particularly notable for its performances, fluid camera work, and meticulous recreation of party politics. The DVD offers a near-pristine widescreen transfer with good sound quality and an interesting, if occasionally too academic, commentary by film historian Drew Casper. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

An all-star cast breathes life into director Otto Preminger's somewhat ponderous adaptation of the Allen Drury novel. "Advise and Consent" (1962) would have benefited from a tighter script, but Preminger makes the most of the Washington political environment. Worth seeing for Charles Laughton's splendid final performance and Burgess Meredith's memorable turn as a lying witness.

With the election of John F. Kennedy, in 1960, Hollywood took a heightened interest in politics, and the behind-the-scenes drama of lawmaking. Allen Drury's massive novel of wheeling and dealing, "Advise and Consent", was a natural choice for the big screen, and under the sure direction of legendary Otto Preminger, a classic 'political thriller' was born.

The premise, the nomination of a controversial new Secretary of State, and the actions of the President and Congress to help or hinder his approval, is still a remarkably timely issue, over forty years later, and it is surprising how little things have actually changed. With Henry Fonda as the nominee, you'd expect that he'd be the 'good guy' of the tale, but when he lies under oath (even with the best of reasons), Preminger makes it clear that in politics, as in life, there is little that can easily be divided into 'black' and 'white'.

Certainly, there are recognizable historic figures in the cast, under different names. The most obvious is skirt-chasing Sen. Lafe Smith, a thinly-disguised JFK, himself, who cut quite a social path prior to marrying Jackie (and afterward, too, as the years have revealed). That his real-life brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, plays the role, is a grand piece of 'tongue-in-cheek' casting (as is Gene Tierney, one of Kennedy's early 'conquests', as a Washington social maven). One character has become even more fascinating, since the film's release; wily South Carolina Sen. Seabright Cooley (a brilliant Charles Laughton, in his final role), was said to have been based on Illinois' legendary Everett Dirksen, but in a real-life parallel, South Carolina produced a 'real' Seab Cooley, in the amazing Strom Thurmond!

The 'Who-Is-Who?' aspect aside, the film is populated with many fascinating characters, from wise and sympathetic Senate Majority Leader Robert Munson (Walter Pidgeon, in one of his finest later roles), and his 'right-hand man', Senate Majority Whip Stanley Danta (Paul Ford, also wonderful), to the Minority opposition, headed by the perfectly-cast Will Geer. Women, who were finally achieving greater political status, aren't as well-conceived in the film, but are present, with Betty White(!) in a small but visible role.

The key 'players' of the drama, however, are the wily, dying President (screen veteran Franchot Tone, in a terrific 'comeback' role), the enigmatic Vice President (Lew Ayres, another screen legend making a 'comeback'), young, idealistic Sen. Brigham Anderson (Don Murray, who nearly steals the film in his tragic portrayal), and opportunistic Sen. Fred Van Ackerman (George Grizzard, as easily the film's most hiss-able villain!)

As with all Preminger films, there is an element of controversy in the story, with homosexuality as the issue addressed. While later film historians have complained that the director fell back into an almost caricatured approach to the gay lifestyle, considering the era the film was produced, and the censorship restrictions of the time, to even mention it was a courageous move, and that Preminger kept this key plot element in the story should be applauded.

"Advise and Consent" may not be the kind of film that will appeal to everyone, but each time I hear Jerry Fielding's stirring opening theme, I find myself drawn back into this ever-fascinating world of Politics and Power, and I think, if you give it a chance, you'll be hooked by it, too!

This one is a keeper!

This film features an all-star cast and was a real event when it opened in the 1960s. The acting in the film is uniformly excellent, as one might expect with such a distinguished cast.

This is the story of a president who nominates a very controversial individual for the office of Secretary of State. The nominee, one "Robert A. Leffingwell," is suspected by conservatives of being further to the Left than he openly acknowledges. In fact, it is suspected that the president has nominated Leffingwell as the opening move in what will be a policy of appeasement towards the Soviets (remember: this was the 1960s).

The film follows the novel of the same name upon which it is based pretty faithfully, with one major exception. In the novel, Robert A. Leffingwell was a bad guy and pretty much a communist (small "c"). Here, (played by Henry Fonda, so of course he cannot be a bad guy) Leffingwell is a good guy, albeit Left of center, but someone who only flirted with communism for a short time, in his youth. Here, Leffingwell's lies to the Senate were motivated by the "noble" purpose of avoiding McCarthyistic persecution and blacklisting for what is portrayed as nothing but a youthful intellectual indiscretion. That is, of course, Hollywood, which always hates McCarthyists more than Communists.

The film's portrayal of gay people is unfortunate, but typical of 1960-era attitudes, I suppose. Here the film dates itself.

This is an intellectual film, which will engage those who are interested in politics and the operations of the American government. But there is enough drama to engage everyone; this is no dry political yarn. Some reviewers have compared this film unfavorably to the Drury novel. I disagree. The Drury novel is somewhat satirical (for example, the Left-wing peace organization is hilariously called "COMFORT" -- Committee On Making Further Offers for a Russian Truce). This film is deadly serious with no humorous component. This is a drama. The ending is unforgettable.

This is a splendid film, and a wonderful but tragic story. The acting is superb, and makes up for much of the somewhat slow and deliberate storyline. Walter Pidgeon is absolutely perfect as Senator Robert Munson, the Majority Leader. Charles Laughton turns in his usual stellar performance as Senator Seab Cooley. Don Murray absolutely becomes Senator Brigham Anderson, the central player in this drama. All of the other members of this cast are superb. George Grizzard, as the villain of the story, Senator Van Ackerman, in particular totally embodies his character, and almost seems to walk out of the novel and into the film. One cannot say enough good things about the performances that each member of this cast turns in.

The DVD itself is of flawless quality. I watched it on my 19 inch LCD TV on a progressive scan DVD player. The print is crisp, clear, and without noise. They did an excellent job transferring this film onto DVD.

Overall, this is a keeper to which the thoughtful viewer will return from time to time.

Fans of the novel (like me) will cringe at how the vital character of Senator Orrin Knox is reduced to a minor figure (and played by the relatively obscure Edward Andrews as a buffoon) who disappears halfway through the film, but for the most part this is an excellent political film with magnificent performances by Pidgeon, Murray, and especially Laughton in his last role as Senator Seab Cooley who leads the opposition against a liberal nominee for Secretary of State. It's ironic that Laughton would be playing a character with such a grudge against Henry Fonda since the two also despised each other in real life (stemming from a bad experience when Laughton had directed Fonda in "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" on Broadway). Watch for TV legend Betty White in a bit part as a feisty Kansas senator.

This is a good film about the nomination of Henry Fonda for Secretary of State. The only problem is that Fonda has a skeleton hidden in his closet and he perjures himself. The film then shifts focus from Fonda to all the people trying to uncover dirt upon dirt from both sides of the political arena. It is a very interesting film and again we see Preminger as the master technician manipulating the almost documentary style of drama. This film has one of the best casts every assembled and performances to match. Charles Laughton, George Grizzard, Walter Pidgeon, Don Murray, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith, Gene Tierney, Peter Lawford, Will Geer and young Eddie Hodges are all featured. This film is an exhausting experience and you can really feel for some of the characters. The finale of this drama leaves the viewer numb.