November 12, 2000

ALL THE KING'S MEN U.S., 1949. Black & White. Not Rated. 109 Minutes.   Directed by Robert Rossen.  Starring Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge. 

Written and directed by Robert Rossen, this riveting film version of Robert Penn's Warren's novel won three Academy Awards: best picture, best actor (Broderick Crawford) and best supporting actress (Mercedes McCambridge).  Crawford stars as a bullheaded populist demagogue modeled on Louisiana Governor and later U.S. Senator Huey Long (AKA the "Kingfish" ) and McCambridge plays a key political aide. Oscar nominee John Ireland portrays a crusty newspaperman. CineBooks' Motion Picture Guide gives this movie five stars (its highest rating) and remarks: "Rossen's film chronicles this life of raw power with compelling scenes. His film served as a breakthrough for Broderick Crawford, who had previously been confined to B films. As Willie Stark, Crawford lets loose a fierce and awesome character whose cunning, brutality, and ambition deeply impressed the public imagination, an acting tour de force he never again equaled."