THE BEST MAN (1964) Political thriller with Henry Fonda

THE BEST MAN
(1964, U.S.A., 96 min.) Franklin Schaffner.

More than competent, this director is able to go with ease from one genre to another. Whether it is the science fiction of PLANET OF THE APES, the adventure of PAPILLON or the war-themed PATTON, he has a very keen sense of character development and drama. Here he takes on American politics in this brilliant adaptation of Gore Vidal’s hit play of the same name. Vidal also acted as screenwriter for this project. Set against a tense political national convention, this film is a veritable potboiler of conflict, intrigue and ruthlessness. Sharp dialogue combines with great casting to create something to rival what is presently going on in the volatile race for the White House just south of the border. The solid cast includes Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, Edie Adams, Shelley Berman, Lee Tracy (Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe winner), Ann Sothern (Golden Globe winner), Gene Raymond and Kevin McCarthy. Watch for a standout musical performance from legendary Mahalia Jackson.

Director Schaffner was awarded a special jury prize at the prestigious Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Prague while the Writer’s Guild Of America nominated Gore Vidal for “Best American Drama”. More than timely, this powerful film will eventually be recognised as a timeless classic. To be preceded by a surprise political short.

Guest Speaker: David Shribman is a contributing writer for The Globe and Mail and Executive Editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 1995, he won a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of U.S. politics.

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Date and Time

Sunday, Oct 13 , 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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