Rating: - Historians will find this eeily prophetic
In the same way that Orson Wells' 1981 film "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow" predicted 9/11 and H. G. Wells' 1936 "The Shape of things to Come" predicted the London blitz and World War 2, this political drama from 1933 eerily predicted the use of air power during WW2, a United Nations type conference, Bank Holidays, the repeal of prohibition, The New Deal, and the Fireside chats.
A lot of reality found its way in this film (whose plot has been ably described by the other posters). This film came out on the eve of Franklin Roosevelt's administration and shortly after the infamous Bonus March on Washington. Here, Walter Huston as superprez endorses the marchers (unlike what really happened) but much of the aftermath of the film accurately described the things to come under FDR.
History teachers will do well to show this to your classes and have a discussion. However, be warned that aside from the ... Read More
Rating: - Conservative/Religious Right/Fascist Wet Dream
This movie, despite its often hilarious moments (that are usually unintentional), serves well as a serious fantasy about what the consequences would be of having a President who was fundamentalist, born-again, and power hungry, and who would not stop at his attempts to seize total authority until he was running the country the way he wanted to. Wait, no, sorry, this isn't about the current president, this movie is from 1933.
But, how prophetic! One of the many ironies in the film is that the horn motif that shows up during the moments of "divine intervention" was lifted from the last movement of Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C Minor. Brahms himself lifted it from a Swiss alphorn player. It's from a piece called "High on the Mountain" and is an alphorn melody that Brahms heard while hiking in the Rigi area of Switzerland. The irony here is that Brahms was a noted agnostic.
Rating: - What a Movie!
I had a field day watching this great, socio-political themed movie, which was released at the peak of the Depression (1933) and which depicts the "glorious" events that took place in the story, when the just elected U.S. President's being is "possessed" by an "angel" of justice & peace.
It's an allegorical, unique photoplay, expertly directed by the great Gregory La Cava, with another mesmerizing performance by one of the greatest American actors of all-time, Mr. Walter Huston, as the President.
Franchot Tone and Karen Morley, two very fine actors that were under contract to MGM during this period, show their skill and wide acting range, giving Huston flawless support as the President's aides.
The sequences that take place at the U.S. Congress and during an International Confference aboard a big ship, are especially noteworthy.
Rating: - An unusual politcal drama from the Great Depression
A somewhat bizarre Depression-era political drama, which transforms the Capra-style populist comedy into a grim, protofascist litany. And I don't use the term "fascist" lightly -- it's meant quite literally. Walter Huston stars as Judson Hammond, a newly elected Republican President, appropriately cynical and snugly placed in the pockets of big business, who faces the same challenges as Roosevelt did in '32, namely, the continuing misery of the Great Depression and the disaffection and anger of millions of working class poor. Hammond has no intention of meeting any of his lofty campaign promises, and sees the Presidency itself as a bit of a lark. An ardent isolationist, he even jeers at the congratulatory telegrams sent to him by other world leaders ("Siam? Where's that?" he asks, in an early scene, prompting an easy comparison to our own geographically-challenged G.W. Bush, back in the days of the 2000 campaign...) Read More
Digital
Life Shop
Gregory La Cava items subject to availability. Some restrictions
may apply. VHS
Gabriel Over the White House presented by digi2005.com Digi2005.com is
an Amazon.com
Associate
Digital Life Music News:
Press Release Tips and Template
PRWeb - Kiwali LLC Announces New Deco Collection for 5G video iPods Kiwali LLC, a designer and maker of digital lifestyle accessories, announced the immediate availability of a new Kiwali Deco collection of designer adhesive covers for the 5G video iPod ...
more News
- Conservative/Religious Right/Fascist Wet Dream
- What a Movie!
