All the King’s Men (1949)
Jack Burden, a reporter for a newspaper, first learns about Willie Stark from his editor who sends him to Kanoma County. Is there anything special about the candidate for county treasurer Stark is supposedly honest. Burden finds this true after he witnesses Stark giving a speech, and Stark having his son hand out handbills while local politicians try to intimidate him. Willie Stark has the qualities of a brave and honest man. Stark is also an honest and brave man. His wife, a schoolteacher, has provided him with the education that he needs. Stark is defeated in the treasurer race, but he eventually finishes law school and becomes an idealist attorney who stands for what’s right. Stark was recalled by someone in the governor’s office when he needed a patsy for his opponent and to split the vote with his rival. Stark is underestimated by the fat cats, but Jack Burden who was Stark’s greatest supporter overestimates his idealism. Willie Stark will do anything to get to where he needs to be. This includes his hard-talking assistant Sadie Burke, Jack’s elegant and poised fiancee Anne Stanton, and Jack Burden. –J. Spurlin
Genre: Drama
Director: Robert Rossen
Actors: Broderick Crawford, Joanne Dru, John Derek, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge, Ralph Dumke, Shepperd Strudwick
Country: United States
