State of the Union (film)

Infobox Film
name = State of the Union


image_size =
caption =
producer = Frank Capra
Anthony Veiller
director = Frank Capra
writer = Russel Crouse (play)
Howard Lindsay (play)
Myles Connolly
Anthony Veiller (screenplay)
narrator =
starring = Spencer Tracy
Katharine Hepburn
music = Victor Young
cinematography = George Folsey
editing = William W. Hornbeck
distributor = MGM
released = April 30, 1948
runtime = 111 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
amg_id = 1:46714
imdb_id = 040834

"State of the Union" is a 1948 film adaptation written by Myles Connolly and Anthony Veiller of the Russel Crouse, Howard Lindsay play of the same title. Directed by Frank Capra and starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, the film is Capra's first and only project for MGM Pictures. The screenplay deviated most from the play in its absence of the play's sardonic wit and more controversial themes.

Originally, actress Claudette Colbert was cast as Mary, the wife of Grant Matthews (played by Spencer Tracy,) but rumors of disagreements with Frank Capra and a reported "back" injury led to the weekend casting of Katharine Hepburn, Tracy's longtime companion. Other behind the scenes tensions were between Adolphe Menjou, who had been a member of the communist hunt in Hollywood, and his former co-star Katharine Hepburn, as well as Hepburn and the much younger Angela Lansbury.

The film was a co-production between Capra's own company, Liberty Films, and MGM, the main reason being to cast MGM contract player Tracy in the film. In fact, many of the major actors in the film were under contract with MGM also.

Capra bought the film after its initial theatrical release. After Capra's company folded, Liberty Films' assets were acquired by Paramount Pictures. It has since had limited availability on VHS home video and until recently has been unavailable on DVD. EMKA, Ltd./NBC Universal currently owns the rights to the film due to it being a part of Paramount's pre-1950 library. Universal Studios Home Entertainment released a DVD version on August 29, 2006.

Plot

Upon the urgings of newspaper manager Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury), aircraft tycoon Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. Before embarking on his journey, he reunites with estranged Mary (Katharine Hepburn) at the urging of campaign manager Spike McManus (Van Johnson). Despite knowing that her husband and Thorndyke are having an affair, Mary puts up the front of a loving wife because she knows he has solid values. After her husband sacrifices his values for votes, Mary questions her actions and her belief in her husband. But when Grant realizes what this is doing to Mary, he denounces his political backers as phonies on live radio, and declares that he will run for office honestly. Grant and Mary are reconciled.

Cast

External links

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