The Senator Was Indiscreet

This broad political satire, George S. Kaufmans directorial debut, is a fine film, but it would have been a much better one had its barbs been aimed at more specific targets. Myrna Loy and William Powell make their last appearance together here, though her role is just a small cameo. Powell is a pompous boor of a senator who is too dumb to be true. After two decades of fooling his constituents, Powell thinks that he might make a fine President, so he begins a campaign for the nations highest office, with Hayes as his press agent. The political bosses of his party, led by Charles D. Brown, would like Powell to go away, but Powell has an ace up his sleeve, a diary hes kept over the years that will ruin the party if it ever gets into a journalists hands. Powell makes a slew of nonsensical campaign promises, including a three-day work week with eight days pay, Harvard educations for all Americans, and the introduction of malted milk-producing cows. When Powells hot diary suddenly disappears, politicians begin booking flights to the Antarctic, Patagonia, and anywhere else that doesnt have an extradition treaty with the US. Hayes finds the diary and cant make up his mind about what to do with it. If he gives it back to Powell, hell be doing the country a disservice. If he gives it to his sweetheart, newspaperwoman Raines, Hayes will be out of a job when the spit hits the fan. Choosing to do the decent thing, Hayes hands the diary to Raines, who prints the truth. Predictably, all the party members flee, with Powell and his wife, Loy, leading the way. (Verleiher-Text)