Advise and Consent

Otto Preminger is said to have been a beast to work for, shouting at and generally humiliating everyone who worked on his pictures.  Surprisingly the method worked, as the man made some highly successful and classic movies during the 1950's and 60's.  Case in point, this gem from 1962, "Advise and Consent". 

Despite his temper and his technique, Preminger had a knack for assembling a bunch of terrific actors, and giving them all great parts, even in the smaller roles.  In this picture alone, besides Fonda, we have Walter Pidgeon (love him), Charles Laughton, Gene Tierney (looking fabulous as usual), Peter Lawford, Franchot Tone (mighty handsome man in his time), Lew Ayres, Paul Ford, Burgess Meredith, George Grizzard, and Don Murray.

Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Advise and Consent" is the story of a man, played by Henry Fonda, who has been nominated by President Franchot Tone to serve as Secretary of State, and his Senate confirmation process. Sounds pretty dry, right?  I beg to differ.  This is suspenseful, edge of your seat type stuff.  It seems that Fonda has a skeleton in his closet that certain parties will stop at nothing to reveal, that would prevent him from being confirmed.  Other parties will stop at nothing to see that he does get confirmed, even going so far as to blackmail committee chair Don Murray, who has his own skeletons, and make him vote yes. 

This was pretty heady stuff for it's time, and Preminger does a great job of showing the Senate processes and politics at work, while unraveling both conspiracies.  Fonda, and in particular Murray are both fantastic at displaying the fear that comes from having past mistakes possibly be revealed.  

I loved this movie - It's like the cinematic equivalent of a Grisham thriller, one that is too exciting to be put down, and then keeps you up all night.  Definitely one to add to the collection.

Interesting side note: There was still a production code in place in 1962 - and not only does Gene Tierney use the "B" word, but there's a scene that takes place in a gay bar.  It's as if Preminger took the Production Code and ripped it to pieces.