State of the Union (The World and His Wife) (1948)

78% of users liked it
(561 ratings)

Frank Capra's only MGM film, State of the Union was adapted by Anthony Veiller and Myles Connolly from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Spencer Tracy plays an aircraft tycoon who is coerced into seeking the Republican Presidential nomination by predatory… More Frank Capra's only MGM film, State of the Union was adapted by Anthony Veiller and Myles Connolly from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Spencer Tracy plays an aircraft tycoon who is coerced into seeking the Republican Presidential nomination by predatory newspaper mogul Angela Lansbury. Campaign manager Van Johnson suggests that, for appearance's sake, Tracy be reunited with his estranged wife Katharine Hepburn (replacing Claudette Colbert, who'd ankled the project after a pre-production donnybrook with director Capra). Realizing that Tracy and Lansbury are having an affair, Hepburn nonetheless agrees to grow through the devoted-wife charade because she believes that Tracy just might make a good President. Her faith is shattered when Tracy, corrupted by the Washington power brokers, publicly compromises his values in order to get votes. Only in the film's last moments does Tracy prove himself worthy of Hepburn's love and his own self-respect by admitting his dishonesty during a nationwide radio-TV broadcast. Much of the biting wit in the original Broadway production of State of the Union is sacrificed in favor of the director's patented "Capracorn," but the film is no less entertaining because of this. As usual, the supporting cast is impeccable, from featured players Adolphe Menjou (whose off-camera political arguments with Hepburn threatened to shut down production at times) and Margaret Hamilton, to bit actors like Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer and Tor (Plan 9 From Outer Space) Johnson. Because the television rights to State of the Union belonged to Capra's Liberty Films, the picture was released to TV by MCA rather than MGM's syndication division. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Frank Capra
Written By: Anthony Veiller
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 30, 1948 Wide
On DVD: Aug 22, 2006
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
sassy, sparky, hilarious
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
This Capra film is typical in its muddleheadedness and atypical in its poor execution.
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
The shock of State of the Union, Capra's last movie in a political vein, is its technical sloppiness.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
So-so political comedy reflects lesser work by all.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

Capra's last great work, this political thriller is an amazing study of politics. It features great performances from Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. The final scene is definitely something that's worth waiting for.
Spencer S

Another in a long line of Tracy/Hepburn collaborations, this film has all the political entitlement and virtues of Mr. Smith, with the twist of the impressionable duo, one confused and exploited for means, and his wife, so steadfast and determined in her beliefs that she resembles the… More
Another in a long line of Tracy/Hepburn collaborations, this film has all the political entitlement and virtues of Mr. Smith, with the twist of the impressionable duo, one confused and exploited for means, and his wife, so steadfast and determined in her beliefs that she resembles the true persona of Hepburn. Always child friendly and feel good, Capra delivers on yet another inspiring film.
AJ V

Tracy becomes president with the help of his wife, Hepburn, even though his advisers often disagree with her help. This is a fun movie.
jay n

As always the pair works together wonderfully this time as a couple in a troubled marriage. Angela Lansbury offers a razor sharp portrayal of the other woman, even the usually vapid Van Johnson offers up a quality performance.

Cast

            Florence Auer as Grace Orval Draper

            Spencer Tracy as Grant Matthews

            Irving Bacon as Buck Swenson

            Katharine Hepburn as Mary Matthews

            Art Baker as Radio Announcer

            Van Johnson as Spike McManus

            Angela Lansbury as Kay Thorndyke

            Adolphe Menjou as Jim Conover

            Tom Fadden as Waiter

            Margaret Hamilton as Norah

            Lewis Stone as Sam Thorndyke

            Charles Lane as Blink Moran

            George Nokes as Grant Matthews Jr.

            Tom Pedi as Barber

            Howard I. Smith as Sam Parrish

            Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Bellboy

            Maidel Turner as Lulubelle Alexander

            Raymond Walburn as Judge Alexander

            Pierre Watkin as Sen. Lauterback

            Stanley Andrews as Senator

            Sam Ash as Editor

            Frank Austin as Crackpot

            Brandon Beach as Editor

            Jack Boyle as Photographer

            Douglas Carter Beane
            
            Maurice Cass as Little Man

            Davison Clark as Crump

            David Clarke as Rusty Miller

            Frank L. Clarke as Joe Crandall

            Charles Coleman
            
            Edwin Cooper as Bradbury

            Boyd Davis as Doctor

            Charles Dingle as Bill Hardy

            Thornton Edwards
            
            Mahlon Hamilton as Businessman

            Dell Henderson as Broder

            Tor Johnson as Wrestler

            Marion Martin as Blonde Girl

            Russell Meeker as Politician

            Howard Mitchell as Doctor

            Rhea Mitchell as Jenny

            Bert Moorhouse
            
            Arthur O'Connell as First Reporter

            Garry Owen as Brooklynite

            Francis Pierlot as Josephs

            Marshall Ruth as Man

            Charles Sherlock
            
            Lew Smith
            
            Eve Whitney as Secretary

            Dave Willock as Pilot

            Wilson Wood
            
            Stanley Price
            
            Harry Anderson
            
            Fred Zendar
            
            George Barton
            
            Gene Coogan
            
            Eddie Phillips as Television Man

            Roger Moore
            
            Patti Brady as Joyce Matthews
See full cast