Main Cast: Rodney Bell, William Powell, Whit Bissell, Ella Raines, Oliver Blake, Arleen Whelan, Charles D. Brown, Claire Carleton, Peter Lind Hayes
Release Year: 1947
Country: US
Run Time: 75 minutes
Plot
Acclaimed playwright George S. Kaufman made his directorial debut with this broad political satire. Senator Melvin G. Ashton (William Powell) is a long-time congressman for whom the phrase "dumb as a log" would be fitting if one were not afraid of insulting the trees. After more than twenty years of representing his clueless constituents, Ashton decides to take a shot at the presidential race, and hires Lew Gibson (Peter Lind Hayes) is his press agent. Party topkick Dinty (Charles D. Brown) considers Ashton an utterly hopeless candidate, especially after he begins making fantastic campaign promises no one could possibly keep, but Ashton turns out to be a bit more shrewd than expected. The senator has kept a detailed journal documenting the many underhanded deals his colleagues have had their hands in over the years; all he has to do is slip the diary to a reporter and most of congress will be run out of town on a rail. This possibility seem all the more urgent when Ashton starts dating Poppy McNaughton (Ella Raines), a journalist. The Senator Was Indiscreet boasts a fine supporting cast, including Ray Collins, Allen Jenkins, Hans Conreid, and a cameo appearance from Myrna Loy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
The Senator Was Indiscreet might have been a better film had it been written, rather than directed, by George S. Kaufman. Kaufman had an incisive wit, which would have given this political satire a bit more bite and personality. Not that Senator is without its funny moments; there are quite a few, some drawn from some decent wordplay and verbal sparring, others from the expert comic pomposity of William Powell, as well as a sterling supporting cast. But the targets of the satire are a bit unfocused, possibly because the filmmakers were a bit hesitant to bite the governmental hand in a more specific manner at the time. In addition, Kaufman is not, on the evidence of this movie, a natural film director. Although his pacing is generally snappy, there's not enough invention or imagination in his approach, and visually the film is fairly undistinguished. Fortunately, Powell and friends help to make up for deficiencies in the writing and direction with the star's combination of stuffiness and imbecility wringing out quite a few laughs. Peter Lind Hayes is a trifle weak as the press agent, but Ella Raines, looking quite beautiful, is solid as his inamorata, and such able players as Hans Conried, Charles D. Brown, and Allen Jenkins add to the fun. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
