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The Best Man

  • 19641964
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson in The Best Man (1964)
The 2 front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former President's endorsement.
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
24 Photos
  • Drama
The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.The two front runners for their party's presidential nomination, one principled and the other ruthless, vie for the former president's endorsement.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Franklin J. Schaffner
  • Writer
    • Gore Vidal(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Henry Fonda
    • Cliff Robertson
    • Edie Adams
Top credits
  • Director
    • Franklin J. Schaffner
  • Writer
    • Gore Vidal(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Henry Fonda
    • Cliff Robertson
    • Edie Adams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    DVD Trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    DVD Trailer

    Photos24

    "The Best Man" Howard K. Smith 1964 ABC
    Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson in The Best Man (1964)
    Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson in The Best Man (1964)
    The Best Man (1964)
    The Best Man (1964)
    The Best Man (1964)
    Henry Fonda in The Best Man (1964)
    Henry Fonda in The Best Man (1964)
    Cliff Robertson and Lee Tracy in The Best Man (1964)
    Margaret Leighton in The Best Man (1964)
    Kevin McCarthy and Shelley Berman in The Best Man (1964)
    Cliff Robertson in The Best Man (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Henry Fonda
    Henry Fonda
    • William Russellas William Russell
    Cliff Robertson
    Cliff Robertson
    • Joe Cantwellas Joe Cantwell
    Edie Adams
    Edie Adams
    • Mabel Cantwellas Mabel Cantwell
    Margaret Leighton
    Margaret Leighton
    • Alice Russellas Alice Russell
    Shelley Berman
    Shelley Berman
    • Sheldon Bascombas Sheldon Bascomb
    Lee Tracy
    Lee Tracy
    • President Art Hockstaderas President Art Hockstader
    Ann Sothern
    Ann Sothern
    • Sue Ellen Gamadgeas Sue Ellen Gamadge
    Gene Raymond
    Gene Raymond
    • Don Cantwellas Don Cantwell
    Kevin McCarthy
    Kevin McCarthy
    • Dick Jensenas Dick Jensen
    Mahalia Jackson
    Mahalia Jackson
    • Mahalia Jacksonas Mahalia Jackson
    Howard K. Smith
    Howard K. Smith
    • Howard K. Smithas Howard K. Smith
    John Henry Faulk
    John Henry Faulk
    • Gov. T.T. Claypooleas Gov. T.T. Claypoole
    Richard Arlen
    Richard Arlen
    • Sen. Oscar Andersonas Sen. Oscar Anderson
    Penny Singleton
    Penny Singleton
    • Mrs. Claypooleas Mrs. Claypoole
    • (scenes deleted)
    George Kirgo
    • Speechwriteras Speechwriter
    George Furth
    George Furth
    • Tomas Tom
    Anne Newman Bacal
    • Janetas Janet
    • (as Anne Newman)
    Mary Lawrence
    Mary Lawrence
    • Mrs. Merwinas Mrs. Merwin
    • Director
      • Franklin J. Schaffner
    • Writer
      • Gore Vidal(screenplay) (play "The Best Man")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The later Republican American President Ronald Reagan, who was a Hollywood B-movie actor at the time, was rejected for a role in this film, because a studio executive at United Artists didn't think he had "that presidential look".
    • Goofs
      During the roll call, the chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation begins his announcement by saying "Mr Chairman, the State of Pennsylvania....". Pennsylvania is actually a Commonwealth, and any leading politician would refer to it as such.
    • Quotes

      Joe Cantwell: I don't understand you.

      William Russell: I know you don't. Because you have no sense of responsibility toward anybody or anything. And that is a tragedy in a man, and it is a disaster in a president.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, a picture of every single U.S. President appears in order, from George Washington to Lyndon Johnson.
    • Connections
      Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda (1978)

    User reviews54

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Realistic
    The Best Man is from 1964 and it could have been made today. Gore Vidal first wrote it as a play which he later adapted for the screen. Vidal had real life experience as an insider in politics. He was on a first name basis with JFK. Henry Fonda stars as an idealistic politician running for president. Cliff Robertson is his opponent in a primary before the election. The man has no scruples and will do anything to win the election. The wheeling and dealing are shown in a very realistic manner. Vidal's script cuts like a razor sharp scalpel. More then fifty years later and nothing has changed. We need more Gore Vidal's today to cut through all the BS.
    helpful•2
    0
    • billcr12
    • May 3, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gore Vidal's The Best Man
    • Filming locations
      • Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Millar/Turman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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    Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson in The Best Man (1964)
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