Hail to the Chiefs – in the movies

Bill Knight column for 2-18, 19 or 20, 2019

Since 1971, Presidents Day has been the third Monday of February, a good time to reflect on how movies have shown U.S. presidents. Viewers might smile at “Saturday Night Live’s” impersonation of President Trump (Alec Baldwin) or George H.W. Bush (Dana Carvey), but it’s hard to think of someone starring in a film about Trump’s administration (“National Emergency: The Apprentice”?) However, Sam Rockwell is impressive as George W. Bush in “Vice,” so casting possibilities exist.

Presidents are political figures who make interesting subjects for historical dramas, unusual comedies or even thrillers. For instance, Woodrow Wilson’s struggles with his illness and his wife were the basis for 1944’s “Wilson,” and Andrew Jackson’s real-life marriage to a controversial woman the theme of 1953’s “The President’s Lady.”

Historically, Hollywood has promoted the presidency, from deference to reverence, and movies aren’t history but make-believe, of course (although “Nixon” director Oliver Stone was criticized for linking Richard Nixon to plots to murder Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy).

Presidents are incompetent or cruel, sinister or silly in comedies (“Head of State,” “First Family,” “Dr. Strangelove,” “First Kid” and Comedy Central’s series “That’s My Bush”), thrillers (“Absolute Power,” “Murder at 1600”), and dramas (“Primary Colors,” “Running Mates”). But for every fool, there have been several heroes (“The Contender,” “Young Mr. Lincoln,” TV’s “West Wing,” “Jefferson in Paris,” “Air Force One,” “Independence Day,” etc.)

Throughout most are conflicting demands of voters – and audiences – shown in Stone’s climatic White House scene where a disgraced, drunken Nixon stares at a painting of Kennedy and slurs, “They look at you and see what they’d like to be. They look at me and see what they are.”

Consider the following 10 films a cinematic Super Tuesday; “primary” presidential films:

“Abe Lincoln in Illinois” (1940). Raymond Massey was nominated for an Oscar starring as the Great Emancipator in this 1940 biopic. Based on Robert Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, it’s worshipful but fairly accurate. Ruth Gordon and Howard Da Silva co-star.

“The American President” (1995). Widower President Michael Douglas starts dating a liberal lobbyist, and a political foe (Richard Dreyfuss) attacks. Rob Reiner directed the romantic comedy co-starring Michael J. Fox and Martin Sheen.

“The Best Man” (1964). Based on Gore Vidal’s book about maneuvers at a political convention, this is one of cinema’s best political dramas. In showing the threat of exposure – a progressive’s past nervous breakdown, a Right-winger’s homosexuality – it’s timely and timeless. As the liberal, Henry Fonda heads an impressive cast including Cliff Robertson as his conservative opponent, Lee Tracy as a dying incumbent, plus Kevin McCarthy and Mahalia Jackson.

“Dave” (1993). Kevin Kline’s character looks like the president (without being grouchy), so aides enlist him to occasionally double for the Chief Executive. When the real prez dies, the duplicate continues the masquerade (and improves the nation). Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella and Charles Grodin co-star.

“Gabriel over The White House” (1933). This may sound like Mike Pence’s vision, but it’s actually a charming fantasy set in the more-liberal mindset of the Great Depression. Walter Huston stars as a corrupt politician who’s elected president and turns around his life, fighting crime and working for peace. Franchot Tone co-stars.

“John Adams” (2008). Paul Giamatti stars in this acclaimed miniseries about the president. Laura Linney (as Abigail Adams) and Tom Wilkinson (as Ben Franklin) are great in HBO’s production.

            “Lincoln” (2012). Steven Spielberg’s screen biography, based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals,” is a revealing glimpse of Honest Abe struggling with politics as Civil War casualties and resistance to Emancipation mount. Sally Fields and Tommy Lee Jones co-star.

“Nixon” (1995). Filmmaker Oliver Stone created an epic about the corrupt 37th president (Anthony Hopkins). Joan Allen co-stars in a psychological yarn that’s part myth and part mystery, part history and part journalism. Ed Harris and David Hyde Pierce are in the superior cast.

“The President’s Analyst” (1967). An often-overlooked comedy, this satire stars James Coburn in the title role, sought by agents of various interests when he resigns as the White House’s “secret shrink.” Godfrey Cambridge heads a supporting cast including Will Geer and William Daniels.

“Sunrise at Campobello” (1960). Made late in Eisenhower’s era, this tribute to Franklin Roosevelt has the feel of something from the ’30s. Reprising his award-winning stage role, Ralph Bellamy stars as the New Deal-maker, struggling against political foes and polio. He’s magnificent, and the supporting cast outstanding. Featured are Greer Garson, Hume Cronyn and Lyle Talbot.