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TechnoTV - Senator Was Indiscreet
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List Price: $9.98
Our Price: $43.66
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Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
Starring: William Powell, Ella Raines, Peter Lind Hayes, Arleen Whelan, Ray Collins
Directed By: George S. Kaufman
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300209053
Format: Black & White
ISBN: 6300209059
Label: Republic Pictures
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Republic Pictures
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Running Time: 88
Studio: Republic Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 1947-12-01
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: A lost gem
Comment: A brilliant comedy long overdue for release on DVD. The final scene of the movie also provides a wonderful capstone to William Powell and Myrna Loy's long on-screen partnership.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Where's the DVD?!!!!!!!
Comment: Another crime is being committed by not having this wonderful late forties political satire restored and transferred to DVD. It along with Genevieve, The Male Animal, A Slight Case of Murder, Larceny Inc., It's in the Bag, Ball of Fire, The Jackpot, Sitting Pretty, No Highway in the Sky, (currently) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse and many, many other classic and even important films are slipping away without anyone ever knowing about them. A movie not on DVD doesn't stand much of a chance to be seen and when the transfer is poor, as in the case of Champagne for Caesar, its chances are still slim-to-none.
The Senator Was Indiscreet is one of those classic, and even important, films. It's a hysterically irreverent look party-line politics. Unfortunately, the buffoonery poked at here is all too prevalent in the politics of today.
Mel Ashton (William Powell) is one those rhetoric spewing blowhards whose pitch as gotten him a string terms with seemingly no end. That is until one day when he holds a press conference to declare that if asked he will not seek the office of the president. This of course is a no-no among his party line as it is a clear indication that he intents to run (ala Perot). His party comes after him with intentions of burying him until they find out he has a daily journal with years and years of dirty dealings with all the names and numbers. So, they let him run his campaign until they can get their mitts on it. Peter Lind Hayes becomes his campaign manager knowing he doesn't stand a chance and knows that once the whole thing blows over the party will owe him one. Although, he's a better manager than realizes and when it becomes a race his zealousness unwittingly takes over his better judgment. At this his girl friend, an investigative reporter (Ella Raines), is alarmed enough to do something about it.
This is a terrific movie barely seen nowadays. It's has a wonderful cast, sharp dialog, multiple subplots and arguably Powell's best role ever. That might tick off a lot of Nick Carter fans but this role is a far cry from one-note, wisecracking, alcoholic of The Thin Man that had him pigeon-holed for so many years. He could really show his comedy prowess as the pompous and at the same time self-conscious Mel "Ashcan".
If you haven't seen the movie but the plot seems vaguely familiar you may be thinking of the Cheers episode where Fraser get Woody elected to the city council. This movie is obviously its inspiration.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "For Flation"
Comment:
William Powell plays a dumb-bunny US Senator who gets the idea in his head to run for President. He promises the public a 3-day workweek with 8 days pay and other ludicrous things, and looks like a shoe-in. But for years he's kept a diary in which he's recorded all sorts of crooked deals and scandalous stuff, and the night before the convention it gets stolen. When it's published, half of Washington is seen leaving for places unknown. The political satire is pretty well laid on here (it should have even been stronger), and why it's not shown more on TV is hard to figure. It's not at all a bitter brand of satire either, which is an indication of the innocence of the times (in terms of what was revealed about politicians, not that politicians were more innocent). George S. Kaufman directed.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: "I just wanna be president, that's all!"
Comment: This entertaining political satire has one of William Powell's funniest performances. He stars as Melvin Ashton, a goofy over-the-hill senator who dreams (literally) of becoming president. Melvin begins his campaign for presidency by touring the country and insisting that he's not running for president! Nothing like reverse psychology! His own political party makes fun of him, but the public loves him and dutifully listens to his ridiculous speeches.
Melvin finally gets his party's attention when he reveals that his diary, which documents all their scandals, is now lost. Now everyone, including an eager young reporter (Ella Raines), is involved in the search for the missing diary which could spell disaster for Melvin and his party if found by the "wrong people". When the diary doesn't turn up, Melvin's party tries everything in their power to force him out of the presidential race, but Melvin, despite his dim-witted personality, won't give in so easily!
This amusing political comedy has a great script filled with fast-paced and witty dialogue, written by Charles MacArthur. There's a great cameo appearance by Myrna Loy at the end, who of course plays Melvin's wife. Myrna Loy and William Powell always had an amazing onscreen chemistry that made their films so enjoyable. In fact, it's hard to think of William Powell without thinking of Myrna Loy! This movie is highly recommended for fans of screwball comedy and political satire.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A silly little political romp.
Comment: It manages to be highly offensive to Native Americans & women in the first few minutes. No matter, it was 1947 & nobody cared about such things.
William Powell, highly disguised, hams it up as Senator Melvin Ashton, a dim, corrupt, basically harmless politician, until he decides to run for President. He loses his highly confidential diary in which he has written down everything about everybody.
Chaos ensues in the search for the missing diary.
A gentle satire on the press, big city political machines, (they resemble nothing so much as "the mob" in this movie) & the corrupt small brained politicians with no talent we still seem to keep reelecting. A bit dated, to be sure, but still relevant & good for a laugh.
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