Notables Not Noticed

Michele Willens’ overview of notable political motion pictures and television shows, both past and upcoming, was most interesting and timely (“Jumping on the Bandwagon,” Aug. 27). However, there are a number of seminal films she has failed to mention:

* “All the King’s Men” (1949): Robert Rossen’s brilliant adaptation and direction of Robert Penn Warren’s novel received the 1949 Academy Award for best picture and Oscars for Broderick Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge.

* “The Great McGinty” (1940): This brilliant satire of ward healing, Tammany-style politics marked the directorial debut of Preston Sturges. Both playwright and screenwriter, Sturges reportedly sold this screenplay to Paramount for $1 with the proviso that he direct. “McGinty” was the first best original screenplay Academy Award winner.

* “The Last Hurrah” (1958): This John Ford film, adapted from the Edwin O’Conner novel by Ford’s frequent collaborator, Frank Nugent, detailed the last political campaign of a James Curley-type Boston mayor, beautifully limned by Spencer Tracy with a strong supporting cast. Ford proved as equally adept in his vision of American politics as of the American West.

* “Meet John Doe” (1941). As to its greatness, this Frank Capra film has long been debated. Yet no one can negate Capra’s telling portrait of a William Randolph Hearst-like character, chillingly portrayed by Edward Arnold, and his attempt to use an Everyman (Gary Cooper) as a vehicle to take over the country.

ROBERT B. RADNITZ

Robert B. Radnitz Productions

Culver City