The Best Man is a 1964 film based on the play of the same title, both written by Gore Vidal. Starring Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Lee Tracy, the film (and play) lays bare the seamy political maneuverings behind the nomination of a presidential candidate. Tracy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Plot
William Russell (Henry Fonda) and Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson) are the two leading candidates for the presidential nomination of an unspecified political party. Both have potentially fatal vulnerabilities. Russell is a principled intellectual (believed by many critics and fans to be based on Adlai Stevenson). A sexual indiscretion has alienated his wife Alice (Margaret Leighton). In addition, he has a past nervous breakdown to live down. Cantwell (believed to be based upon John F. Kennedy with some Richard Nixon and Joseph McCarthy mixed in) portrays himself as a populist "man of the people", and patriotic anti-communist campaigning to end "the missile gap" (a Kennedy campaign catch-phrase), but is a ruthless opportunist, willing to go to any lengths to get the nomination. Neither man can stand the other; neither believes his rival qualified to be President.
They clash at the nominating convention and lobby for the crucial support of dying former President Art Hockstader (Lee Tracy). The pragmatic Hockstader (a character based on Harry Truman, particularly his comments on "striking a blow for liberty" whenever he drinks a bourbon) prefers Russell, but worries about his indecisiveness and overdedication to principle; he despises Cantwell, but appreciates his toughness and willingness to do what it takes. In fact, Hockstader had intended to publicly support Cantwell, but the candidate blunders badly. When the two speak privately, Cantwell attacks Russell with illegally-obtained psychological reports (obtained by his brother and campaign manager, Don Cantwell, based on Robert F. Kennedy[citation needed]) mistakenly assuming that Hockstader was for the more liberal man. The former president tells Cantwell that he doesn't mind a "bastard", but objects to a stupid one, and switches to Russell. However, in his opening-night speech, he endorses neither.
Cantwell's wife actively campaigns, while Russell's pretends for the time being that everything is fine with their marriage. The candidates go to the convention trying to outmaneuver the other, Russell finding out to his chagrin that Hockstader has offered the vice-presidential spot on the ticket to all three of the other candidates, Oscar Anderson, T.T. Claypoole and John Merwin.
One of Russell's aides digs up Sheldon Bascomb (Shelley Berman). He served in the military with Cantwell, and is willing to link him to homosexual activity while stationed in Alaska during World War II. Hockstader and Russell's closest advisors press Russell to grab the opportunity, but he resists. As the first round of voting begins, he arranges to meet Cantwell privately, to let his rival know what he can do. However, Cantwell confronts Bascomb and refutes his slander. Russell threatens to use the allegation anyway, but though Cantwell does not understand what makes his opponent tick, he knows this much - Russell does not have the stomach for tactics that dirty. In the end, Russell shocks him by throwing his support behind a third candidate, Governor John Merwin, ending both their chances.
Cast
Gore Vidal made an uncredited cameo appearance as a delegate. Future President of the United States Ronald Reagan was reportedly rejected for a part due to "not having the presidential look."
Tracy repeated the role of Hockstader that he had originated on stage.
Faulk, who played presidential candidate T.T. Claypoole, was a Texas-based radio personality who was blacklisted during the 1950s and won a lawsuit that helped restore his reputation.
Kevin McCarthy was a cousin to Eugene McCarthy, who became a presidential contender in 1968.
An April 7, 1964 review of the film by Bosley Crowther in The New York Times cited William R. Ebersol, who portrayed Governor John Merwin, as among those who "stand out in a cast that is notable for its authenticity." It was Ebersol's only film and he does not speak a single word in it.
References
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