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Politicians: A Film Perspective
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 May 2020
Extract
In a recent issue of NEWS, Professor G. Alan Tarr reminded us of how the feature film Nashville (1975) could be used as a springboard for thoughtful classroom discussion of American politics. While that film is ostensibly about country-music and its performers, Tarr makes a strong case that the Robert Altman film is “above all a commentary on political life.” Nashville can be seen as an insight into a view of the voters and their indifference, indeed hostility to politics. The advance man of a presidential candidate is seeking to enlist big name performers for a rally but the candidate is never seen and the sound truck that advertises his campaign blares out the vague populist homilies which reminded many viewers of the then flowering Jimmy Carter speeches.
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- Research Article
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- Copyright © American Political Science Association 1982
References
Notes
1. In 1972, critic Sarris, Andrew listed 25 political films, “off the top of my head.” The Village Voice,August 3, 1972, p. 45Google Scholar
2. The full, humorous story of the Washington premiere of the film is told by the director in his autobiography. Frank Capra, , The NameAbove the Title (New York, The Macmillan Company, 1971), pp. 273-94.Google Scholar
3. Film and Society(New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1964), p. 57.
4. The Best Man(S100) may be obtained from United Artists-16, 729 Seventh Ave., Ν.Y., Ν.Y., 10019. The Candidate($85) and The Seduction of Joe Tynan, ($375) are available from Swank, 60 Bethpage Rd., Hicksville, N.Y., 11801.Google Scholar Prices listed are catalogue prices; classroom rates are available.
5. Quoted in George Garrett, P., et al (eds.) Film Scripts Four(New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1972), p. 147.Google Scholar This volume contains the entire screenplay of the film.
6. The screenplay has not been published by a conventional publisher but may be purchased from Scriptfinder, 6636 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA, 90028. Excerpts from the script, as well as the story of its production, are in Bruce Bahrenburg, , Filming “The Candidate“ (New York, Warner Books, Inc., 1972).Google Scholar
7. For an elaboration of this point, see Gerald Forshey, “Loss of Integrity,“ Christian Century,November 7, 1979, pp. 1095-6. This screenplay is also available from Scriptfinder.