Third of three films with same title that HWPL owns. This one is the original 1949 film with Broderick Crawford playing the role Sean Penn would reprise in 2006.Based on the book by Robert Penn Warren, it is the story of a man from the back country in Louisiana who runs for political office, loses, goes to law school, and is recruited to run for governor as a way to split the "hick" vote. Alerted to the scheme, he tosses away his prepared, fact-laden speech, and speechifies from the heart. Elected, as he does the people's work he enriches himself, losing his idealism and gaining materially. He also begins an affair with the at-times sweetheart of the newspaper reporter who is the other main character of the story (played by Jude Law in the 2006 version).
Curiously, all the characters in this 1949 version speak very plain English, with no accent; Sean Penn's character had a very thick accent. Another detail: 1949 ties were worn halfway down the chest by men.
Well done. Enjoyable.
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