And the wind from the propeller was blowing your hair.
And your dress... Will I get your other bags now?
Yes, now, just go.
Go on, Grant. Hmm?
Go on with what you were saying.
Where was I? Looking at her
with the wind blowing her dress, mannaggia, l'America!
Well, that's the end of that. I should have married a barber.
Mary.
Mary, what I was going to say...
Hey, you should be getting dressed. There are people coming...
I love you, Spike, but sometimes I wish you'd drop dead.
Too late for apologies.
I could sleep for a week.
"Matthews obvious presidential."
That's no solution.
I beg your pardon? That's no solution.
What's that? You, make a new presidente.
You got a better solution? My wife, she got.
Your wife? Sure.
Last night she say, "Pasqua,
"all of the men and all of the governments
"in all of the world should be put in jail".
I said, "Maria, what for you talk like a Communist"?
She's, like, "Shut up!
"Do you know why we got no peace?
"Because we got no woman in the government".
She said, "Put two roosters together. What happens?
"Roosters got no brains, they fight.
"Put 15 roosters together, what happens?
"15 fight,
"but put 15 hens together what do you got?
"15 eggs".
"Fight in the Congress", she say,
"fight in London,
"fight in France, fight here, fight there. Why?
"No hens in the government"!
So you want to become a president? That's no solution.
Your wife.
That's a solution.
Mannaggia!
Grant.
Yoo-hoo.
Mr. Candidate?
Mr. President? Yes?
That got him.
I just had the darndest dream.
All candidates have that dream.
On your toes, Matthews. That man is here.
Jim! Hello, Jim! What are you doing here?
Hello, Grant. I thought I'd come and bring you up to date on things.
Take my wife's solution. His wife's what?
He thinks Mary should run for president.
Oh, that's silly. No woman could ever run for president.
She'd have to admit she was over 35.
Politics certainly agrees with you, Grant. You're looking very fit.
I'm feeling very fit. And I mean very fit.
Oh, dear, I wonder if anything will fit.
You don't have much time with Grant, Jim.
I've got people lined up for him to see.
Due any minute.
Want to read some of these?
Grant, what are you talking about here tonight?
This is the last speech, Jim, it's got a little bit of everything.
Anything controversial? Not for anyone who agrees with him.
You've got to get dressed, Grant. Yeah, yeah.
While you're dressing, have you got a copy of the speech I could glance at?
Well, it really isn't a speech. I'm just going to talk from notes.
I turned off the radio. And you put up the window, that's fine, son.
Good night and thank you. You'd make a good secretary of the Treasury. Good night.
Say, if you really want to read something, Jim, read this editorial.
And all those telegrams.
All of these?
They're just from people.
Just from people?
Yeah, you didn't find any of them signed State Chairman, did you?
Grant, you're going to be late.
You know after I'm President, you're going to have to quit shoving.
See what I mean? I told you, you sent the wrong dame along.
Yeah, it's a crime.
Boys in the Northwest, and along the coast were behind him.
Then they had to stick out his chin in Wichita.
How much damage has he done? We may have lost labor.
I must've had 30 calls after that last speech.
In New York, Kay'll straighten him out.
She's got the Indian sign on him.
But that doesn't fix us up for tonight. What're you afraid of tonight?
I don't know. Only she's too doggone happy.
I think it's a good sign, Jim coming down here.
Afraid somebody else will get his place on the bandwagon.
Yeah, don't tell him what you're talking about tonight.
Why not? I don't know,
I don't like Jim turning up all of a sudden like this.
Don't underestimate this guy, Jim.
People don't just come up and shake hands with him.
They're up there with a light in their eyes.
If he gets away from us, you may be heading a "Stop Matthews" movement.
I don't want to stop him.
I know this Convention's gonna be a rat race. I think we can nominate him.
If we can keep him in line.
Well, now I've got some good news for you.
The guy's vulnerable, Jim. He's got the bug.
How bad's he got it?
He's seeing himself on statues already.
Then I think we'd better tell him the facts of life.
Yeah, you do that, Jim.
Dinner!
Spike, you just sang a symphony.
Grant, leave your hall door open, will you?
I got a lot of people coming in.
Okay.
Oh, you can eat mine, Jim.
Okay, here we go with the first bunch of patriots.
Remind Grant they've got votes.
Spike does take the nobility out of a crusade, doesn't he?
Am I supposed to be noble? On my salary?
Mary, I can't go to this banquet tonight, it might start talk.
What is the boy orator giving out with tonight?
I have a much better idea.
Hello. Hello,
would you have a radio sent up to 2419 right away?
Thank you very much.
You better be good tonight, Grant, Jim will be listening in.
Say, are you Grant Matthews? Yeah.
Let me shake your hand.
Your speech was swell.
The best I ever read. What's your name?
Emil. Emil Breakesby.
I'm glad you're with us. Been here long?
Yeah, long time, I inherited the job from my father
at the old Cadillac.
Married? Yeah, four kids.
Kind of expensive these days. Yes, it is. Yes, it is.
You're right about that.
Give it to them tonight, Mr. Matthews.
All right, Emil, I will.
Hey, Grant, if you want to rehearse that, try it out on me.
Well, I'll give you the start of it.
"Ladies and members of the Industrial Council of Detroit.
"What is the biggest single question
"facing the American public today?"
Who's with onions?
I guess I'm with onions.
Grant, your public is waiting.
My hamburger is waiting. Hamburgers don't vote.
These are dairy farmers.
Just a little talk, cows, butter, American cheese.
What do I know about American cheese?
Walk this way and meet three perfect specimens.
And remember, Grant, they've got votes.
Now I'll set them up in the other alley.
Well, Jim, what's the State of the Union?
What are your reports on Grant?
First, let me give you my reports on you.
You've done a great job. I want to congratulate you.
I'd like to admit something. I've enjoyed it, every minute of it.
Jim, Grant's got something.
Don't try to take it away from him.
When he's just cockeyed drunk with sincerity, people can't resist him.
Sounds as though you couldn't either.
Oh, no. The state of our union is strictly political.
I thought I saw Grant throw you a look or two tonight
that wasn't entirely political.
You're a bachelor, aren't you, Jim?
Theoretically. Why?
Well, if you were married, you'd know that there were little things that sort of...
Well, for instance,
when Grant found out once that the girls at school used to call me Maizie.
He knew I hated it.
So sometimes, he used to call me Maizie just to tease me.
Well, Maizie doesn't live here anymore.
Another thing, he always hated to hear me swear.
Whenever I let go with something, he used to
smack me on my sitter, hard.
I've done a lot of swearing on this trip. And no smacks?
It's a small request,
but I'd give anything for one good smack on my south end.
I certainly wish that I could do something about that.
Well, how's the farmers' choice?
Say, after the beautiful things I've just said about cows,
I certainly feel guilty eating this hamburger.
It's like eating one's dearest friend.
Back to the pasture. Wipe off your feet and come in to meet the A.F. of L.
You give me time to eat! Yeah, let him eat.
This is a crisis. I have to know you're holding the A.F. of L. in there
while I sneak the C.I.O. into the other bedroom.
Well, put them both in the same room, and I'll talk to them.
Little boy blue, haven't you heard?
They ain't keeping steady company anymore.
I'm serious about that.
You tell those fellows in there the C.I.O. are coming in,
then I'll come in and talk to both of them at the same time.
You're just asking for trouble.
I don't mind you having your head in the clouds
but I wish you'd keep your feet in the voting booth.
Those men are the kind who are responsible for the wildcat strikes.
If I can make them see something bigger than their own jobs
as head of their own locals
and what power they get from that... There may be...
You shut up! Keep out of this.
That's one of the things I came to talk about.
Your Wichita speech killed off most of the labor leaders.
I know, 'cause I talked to them. Why?
What did I say to them?
I just said when the members stop running the unions,
the unions start running the members.
Good heavens, Jim, I'm for labor!
Sure. Everybody's for labor. That's like saying you're against sin.
The labor leaders don't think you're for them.
Not after that crack that they're responsible for the Taft-Hartley Law.
No dice. They're even mad they're in the same hotel together.
That makes me mad.
Watch out for the little guy they call "Mac".
Now for some counter-espionage.
Jim, how can you say that Grant offended labor?
That Wichita audience was full of cheering union men.
Union members might cheer, but it's the leaders that swing the delegates
and they're sore.
Don't you want Grant to be a good president?
Mary, a good president is one who gets elected.
The Eastern Front's ready.
C.I.O. still in there? And in what I call an ugly mood.
Jim, turn your back. This way, gentlemen.
You know, Grant might be able to unite the United Nations.
Open up, in there!
Open up there! Where is that Grant Matthews guy?
Who're you? My name is...
My name is Sam Parrish,
Chairman of Banquet Committee, bosom friend of Grant...
Mary! Sam.
Bless your heart. You're just as pretty as ever.
I could eat you with a spoon.
Why, Jim Conover, you old son of a gun. Hi, Sam.
What're you doing here? Take it easy.
You're the only man in Detroit who knows I am here.
Can't you wait outside? Excuse me.
What's going on here, anyway?
Say, darn it, I might've known.
Jim, you're psychic.
I was primed to come to Washington to sell you the idea
we need a businessman like Grant in the White House. You beat me to it.
Where is Grant? That's a date, and bring cash.
Sam. Grant!
When the walls started to shake, I knew you were here.
Still alive? Yeah, I'm still alive. So are they.
Matter of fact, the A.F. of L. just invited
the C.I.O. to have a glass of beer.
Under whose jurisdiction?
The Midtown Bar and Grill.
You got everything ready for tonight, Sam?
Ready? Why, there'll be more money per square inch at that banquet
than there is in the Mint.
Mary, you go right home and start packing.
You're moving into the White House.
I never was so happy in my life.
Looks like our turn's come again.
Wait till you hear my speech tonight. You may not be so happy.
What do you mean by that?
Last time I was in New York,
Grant and I had a knock-down, drag-out fight about tax reduction and inflation.
Is that what you're talking about tonight? Grant talks like a radical.
But any man who's made as much money as he has is a good sound American.
Well, see you later, fella.
Tell you what. Take another good sock at labor tonight,
you'll make a real hit.
Doggone it, Mary. I'll be telling people I knew you when.
Who're you? Well, my name...
Let me out of here.
Hey, wait, going down? Mary.
Spike, don't you dare do that.
All right, I can starve. But that's the way to make communists.
I wonder what a hot hamburger tastes like.
Grant, you expect me to run your campaign for you?
Have I any choice in that? You certainly have.
But if I'm to stay in the picture,
I want to know what you're planning to say here tonight. I have a right to know.
Why, Jim, you can know.
I'm going to tell them that they do a lot of yapping about communism
but as long as they think about high profits instead of high production,
they're playing the communists' game.
High production is the way to kill high prices.
They want high prices. High prices mean inflation.
Inflation today means depression tomorrow.
And a depression in these United States
is exactly the ace card Moscow is waiting to draw.
They don't want to hear these things. They're gonna hear them.
They're gonna hear that capitalism itself is being challenged.
If it doesn't survive, it's because men like themselves
haven't the guts or imagination to make it survive.
You can't talk to that crowd this way. You'll antagonize them.
All right. So what? So I'll antagonize them.
I yelled my head off about labor and its responsibilities.
I'm going to lay it right on the line for industry, too.
Now, look here, Jim,
you know just as well as I do
that there are men at that banquet who'll be rooting
for a depression, just so they can slap labor's ears back.
And I suppose you have a few well-chosen words to say about tax reduction.
You better not worry so much about tax reduction
until we accomplish some of the things we have to accomplish.
I'm going to tell them that the wealthiest nation in the world is a failure
unless it's also the healthiest nation in the world.
That means the highest medical care for the lowest income groups.
And that goes for housing, too.
One thing this nation is not rich enough to afford
is not having a roof over our heads.
And I'm going to tell them that the American Dream is not making money.
It is the well-being and the freedom of the individual
throughout the world
from Patagonia to Detroit.
We can't be an island of plenty in a world of starvation.
We have to send food, clothing, machinery, and money
to the bitter, impoverished people of the world.
Try to recreate their self-respect.
Give them the desire again for individual freedom.
And I'm gonna tell them that as long as dictatorships remain in the world,
we better remain well-armed.
Because the next time, we're not going to get two years to get ready.
They're gonna jump us overnight.
And I'm gonna tell them that there's only one government
which is capable of handling the atomic control,
world disarmament, world employment, world peace, and that's a world government.
The people of 13 states started the United States of America.
I think the people of that many nations
are now ready to start a United States of the World.
With or without Russia.
And I mean a "United" States of the World.
With one Bill of Rights.
One international law.
One international currency. One international citizenship.
And, I'm going to tell them that the brotherhood of man
is not just an idealist dream,
but a practical necessity if man is going to survive.
And I'm... Where're you going?
I'm going out to get pie-eyed, then I'm going back to Washington.
You're walking out on me?
If you're going to climb out on a limb like that and saw it off behind you.
Let me remind you.
Up to now, you haven't got one pledged delegate to that Convention.
You know how many you need to be nominated?
About 550. Think that over.
You've already scared off big labor
and if you scare off big business, you're a dead duck.
They've got to know where I stand. I told you that at the start.
I've got to be on record, nomination or no nomination.
All right, but not here! Not tonight. Not when you're on a radio hook-up.
Give it sometime when you're out in Nebraska or Oklahoma.
It's for you, Jim. I'll go air out Parlor B.
Hello. Oh. Hello, how are you?
Where are you?
Fine, I'll come up to your room.
Excuse me a minute. Grant, I'll be right back.
I just wanted to tell you the gang in the kitchen
are all listening in tonight, Mr. Matthews.
Oh, oh, fine. Fine, Emil, you do that.
Down there they say you're not just another one of those politicians.
You're not, are you, Mr. Matthews? No, I'm not.
I knew it. Give it to them tonight, Mr. Matthews. Give it to them.
I'm sorry Jim got a line on what you're going to say here tonight.
So am I. I was all pepped up about that speech tonight.
You're not gonna change it?
I don't know. Jim's only argument is
that this isn't the place to say it. I've...
Do you think he's right? It isn't whether Jim's right or not.
It's just that there is no such thing as a little garlic.
You haven't answered my question.
Grant, do you remember what made the biggest impression on that audience in Wichita?
It was when you said the real wealth of the world
is not in coal or iron or bank accounts.
It's in principle, integrity, honesty.
Plain, ordinary, garden-variety honesty.
Do you remember that?
Well, should I change it, or should I not?
No, the world needs honest men today, more than it needs presidents.
Okay, let's go. Come on, let's go...
Hold it a minute, Grant. About your speech tonight.
Some of the smartest boys in Washington got together
and prepared something for you to say. They know what they're doing.
"The palsied hand of bureaucratic control
"must be removed from the throttle of..."
What is this? A gag? No. Why?
"Industry is not a felon. It can no longer be treated as one.
"The binding shackles of government..."
Why, this is double-talk. What you were planning was trouble-talk.
Confound it, man! Don't you want to be president?
Yes, I want to be president. Let me get you nominated!
How about letting the people get him nominated?
The people have darn little to say about the nominations.
You both lived in this country all of your lives.
It's time you get that through your heads.
You're not nominated by the people,
you're nominated by the politicians.
Why? Because the people are too darn lazy to vote in the primaries.
Well, politicians aren't lazy.
I'll put Grant in the White House,
if you and he give me half a chance.
Use your head, Grant.
We've got to bring you into that Convention without any enemies.
That's the whole strategy.
Nomination or no nomination, Jim,
they've got to know where I stand before they vote for me.
Grant.
I hate to do this to you, Grant, but there's one more delegation.
Oh, no. Tell them I've left. You can't do that.
They'll see you on your way out. These are important VIPs.
We're the guests of honor. Yeah, I'll cut it short.
I'll go out and strew the path with flowers.
Mary, I want to tell you right now,
if Grant blasts that group tonight,
he'll be blasting himself out of any chance for the White House.
He's got to take professional advice.
Jim, let him alone. He's just trying to tell the truth as he sees it.
It doesn't matter whether he becomes president or not.
Doesn't matter? No, not that much.
I know that man and I love that man.
And I tell you, if you get him to compromise, you'll destroy him.
Compromise will eat into him like a worm. He won't be Grant Matthews anymore.
I hate to be blunt, but as a political advisor,
you are a wonderful wife and mother.
And as a wife and mother, I'd like to tell you
that Grant doesn't need politicians like you.
You're trying to make him believe that he does
so that you can ride in on his coattails.
I know where you stand, Jim.
You and Kay Thorndyke
and Emil, the waiter here.
The man who elects the presidents. He knows where you stand, too.
He can smell a compromise a mile off. Come in.
Let him alone. Just let him tell the truth.
You got an honest man. You don't know how lucky you are.
I got your radio. Had to steal it from another room.
Yes, plug it in please.
Everybody wanted a radio tonight. So?
A big broadcast from Hollywood. Bob Hope and Jack Benny.
All set. The elevator's waiting.
Fix your tie, Grant. Listen in, Jim.
My bag, my bag. My... What's that in your hand?
Oh, that's my bag.
May as well sit in here and be comfortable. I have a radio.
Dare I listen? You can listen.
Are you sure? You were only with him a few minutes.
And Mary's had weeks, I know.
It wasn't hard, Jim. All I did was to tell him the things he wanted to hear.
But there is one question on his mind you'd better have the answer for.
What's that?
He's beginning to wonder if there's any difference
between the Democratic party and the Republican party.
That's a fine question for a presidential candidate to ask.
There's all the difference in the world. They're in and we're out.
Well, this is more like it.
These telegrams aren't just from people.
You see what that speech did?
Boy, happy days are here again.
Hey, Brock from Missouri and Tenebaum, Colorado.
Those birds don't send telegrams unless they're fishing for bids.
I thought they were Dewey men. Not now. Hey, look at this.
Ed Lauterback wants to talk turkey.
That puts the farm block on our team. Thirty delegates, if it means one.
Look here, Mary. Two state and seven county chairmen.
Not just from people.
I don't want to hear anymore about that speech last night.
These telegrams prove that Jim is right. He knows what he's doing.
He's a professional.
And I don't want to hear that Henry Clay routine either.
He wound up being neither right nor president.
Emil, the waiter, was listening in.
I can imagine the look on his face.
Mary. Mary, you should have faith in me.
I want to be president.
I know this country. I know it inside out.
I know all of its simmering hates.
I know the petty warfare undermining our unity.
And I think I know what causes it.
It's fear. It's nothing but fear.
Fear of the future. Fear of the world.
Fear of communism. Fear of going broke.
Why didn't you make that speech last night?
Because I want the nomination.
If I have to soft soap a few idiots like Sam Parrish to get it,
I'll soft soap them.
After I'm elected, if you think I'm going off the deep end,
come and tell me.
I'll listen to you. But until then, lay off.
There's not going to be any then.
Up until last night, you had something to say.
You had courage. You had a chance. The people were for you.
But not anymore. You've changed and they'll know it.
I haven't changed.
Hey, boss, we got company again.
Uh-oh.
James, you are about to become an older and wiser man.
Ask Grant if he's too old to fly.
Hey, boss, Rusty wants to know if you're too old to fly.
You tell Rusty I'm busy. And tell him if he knows what's good for him,
he'll get down to that plant and get busy himself.
Scram, fellas. The chill's on.
Uh-oh.
I amaze myself. But I'm disappointed.
Okay, Jim, I've made my decision. From now on, it's your show.
I'll talk turkey with Lauterback.
I'll play ball with anybody
who'll help me get the nomination. Is that clear?
And money's no object. I'll spend $1 million if I have to.
Grant, watch us go from here.
Where's Lauterback, in Washington? Yeah.
Get him on that phone.
Ed, you know Grant will never fight the farm block. It's too powerful.
I don't beat about the bush, Jim.
I'm anti Cuban sugar, anti Mexican cotton,
anti Argentine beef, anti Canadian wheat,
anti free-trade of any kind.
Are you for anything?
Yes, I'm for Ed Lauterback, same as you're for...
Grant Matthews. Yes.
How many delegates can you deliver? Deliver?
None. I only influence.
Well, how many can you influence? Perhaps none.
Let's have it, Ed. What do want to nick us for?
I name the Secretary of Agriculture.
You have delusions of grandeur.
You want my support? And we'll pay for it.
You can approve the appointment, but you can't make it.
Good enough. Right of vetoes, good enough.
Have you talked to Bill Green, Phil Murray, or John L. Lewis?
We're talking to you now.
Which isn't easy because I don't like you, Bill Hardy.
That's mutual.
Who cares who likes who? How many men in your union?
700,000 in my locals, scattered over four states.
Pivotal states.
And they vote in the primaries.
Can you work out a deal with Jim?
I can always make a deal with Jim. Well, work it out.
Can you deliver delegates from the foreign-born sections?
Let me handle things and I can.
These people never vote for anything.
They vote against something.
They've carried hatreds around for centuries.
The trick is to play on these hatreds,
one nationality against the other,
keep them voting as blocks.
We know how you do it. You're a powerful woman. What's your price?
Patronage. Lots of patronage.
I dish it out to my friends. That's my price.
To Republicans or Democrats.
I need a little air. You work it out with her, will you?
Yeah, I could do with a little ozone, too.
Those are the posters and these are the ads for the broadcast.
They'll be in 30 newspapers.
It'll be the biggest send off any candidate ever had.
Radio, television, newsreels, the press, the works.
No use having dough and not spending it.
Excellent idea, doing it all from his own home.
A fireside chat from the next president.
To say nothing of the next president's wife and kids.
No one'll top us for corn.
Where does this Thorndyke dame fit in the picture?
What do you mean by that?
Let's not start kidding each other, there's a rumor around...
Ridiculous, an old wives' tale. What rumor?
Kay Thorndyke and Matthews. I've heard it twice.
Bill, I'm surprised at you spreading a foul story like that.
I'm spreading nothing. But I want to be sure there's nothing to spread.
Now, look, everything's got to be kosher.
I thought he was a family man.
There's nothing to it. Believe me. Would I lie to you?
Yeah, would he lie to you?
Don't make me answer that question.
I tell you, Kay Thorndyke is a friend of the family.
She and Mrs. Matthews are just like that.
Will she be at the broadcast? Why,
of course, she will. Mrs. Matthews has already invited her.
Well, I'll be glad to see her there. I've never met Miss Thorndyke.
Let's get back to this campaign. I've got some work to do here.
Is Mrs. Matthews in? Spike MacManus.
Oh, you're Spike. Come on in.
Buck Swenson, I'm the butler around here.
Excuse my appearance.
This happens every Saturday.
The kids and their packages for Europe.
You're quite a heavy contributor, I see.
Yeah. Sir, you'd better hang on to this,
if you don't want some Belgian farmer wearing it.
I'll call Mrs. Matthews.
I was just going upstairs to get my swimming trunks on.
Let the kids swipe my pants later on.
Hi. Hi, what's going on out there?
Operation Bread Basket, they call it.
While you're busy feeding the world,
would there be a loose cup of coffee for me?
I've been up three nights running working on that broadcast.
You look as if you could stand something stronger.
Lady, you twisted my arm.
Say, who was that character who let me in?
Buck? He's the world's worst butler and the world's nicest guy.
He was Grant's first grease monkey.
Grant used to try to fire him, but he gave that up years ago.
Speaking of characters,
how's Mr. Conover and company?
Oh, just straight, please.
Oh, he's busy making friends and influencing delegates.
And I might add, delivering some.
I don't believe that. You can't deliver the votes of a free people.
Mary, in Conover's eyes, the lazy people, ignorant people,
and prejudiced people are not free.
Spike, are all politicians like Conover? No.
Thank heavens, he almost makes me a Democrat.
That wouldn't help you any. The Democrats have their Conovers, too.
In spades.
Here's to us wise guys with all the answers.
All right, wise guy, give me one answer.
What changed Grant in Detroit?
Detroit, that's so many hotels...
Spike, please, what made Grant change that speech at the last minute?
Oh, Mary, wouldn't you rather hear how someday I'm going to buy
a country newspaper and yell my head off?
95% of the newspapers are in small towns. That's America, lady.
That's where the real freedom of the press is. Yeah.
All right, Spike. What really made you leave the tobacco smoke,
this fine sunny day?
Mary, a crisis hath arisen.
A crisis, that's good. What about?
The big broadcast. Oh.
There's a story going around Republican headquarters and Democratic headquarters
about you getting plastered one night and throwing
Kay Thorndyke out of your house.
Yeah.
If it isn't nipped in the bud, Grant's political goose might be cooked.
Well, that's a true story. What am I supposed to do about it?
It isn't true, and the only way you can prove it
is to invite Kay here to the broadcast.
Here to my house?
Be photographed with her. Make it clear that she's a friend of the family.
Not just of Grant's. Has Grant heard about this?
No, he doesn't know anything about it. This is Conover's idea.
And sounds like him, if you... Mom!
Yeah? Mom, we need more bubblegum.
Bubblegum? Goes in every package.
This is my daughter, Joyce. Spike, Mr. MacManus.
Hi. Hi, you don't have any bubblegum, do you?
Not on me, no.
Run and ask Buck. I think he got some yesterday.
Buck! Mom!
Yeah.
We're stuck.
We haven't got any more comic books.
Comic books? They go in every package, too.
This is Mr. MacManus, Grant. Hi.
You haven't got any comic books, have you?
Of course, he hasn't. He is a very distinguished newspaper man.
Oh, I don't know. I have my hidden vices.
Oh boy, I haven't read this one.
Okay, scram.
They're pretty swell kids. Yeah, they're pretty swell kids.
You can tell Conover no.
This may be a stable to the dark horse, but it's still home to me.
Besides, I think Kay would be more comfortable in a kennel.
Then you won't let her come. I certainly won't.
I agreed to let Conover have this house for the broadcast.
I agreed to say whatever he wanted me to say.
I even agreed to let him use the kids.
Even though I don't believe that gang of parasites could elect a rat catcher.
Even though I know they're killing Grant.
Slicing him up sliver by sliver until there's nothing.
And now they want me to invite that woman to this house and pose with her?
Not me. They're not going to slice me up, too.
Besides which, that particular day happens to be my wedding anniversary.
Ouch.
You can tell Mr. Conover no.
Okay. No is what I'll tell him.
And my apologies, lady.
I only do that to people I like very much.
Spike!
Hello, boss. Come on in.
Where's Mary? She's upstairs, dressing the kids.
I've got my fingers crossed for tonight. I can handle her. And Grant?
He's making an appearance over at the local Matthews For President Club.
The boys from Life went along with him.
Come on in, I want to show you something.
Well, how do you like it?
Radio, 200 stations coast to coast.
Televisions, two cameras, complete coverage for the whole Eastern Seaboard.
The Four Blue Notes Quartet. They came out with Grant's campaign song.
The club band and the local yokels,
all the trimmings including the press.
Wonderful. Really wonderful.
I could've gotten a bigger turnout for someone who didn't want to be president.
Blink, what about the Matthews speech? I think there's been some changes.
Everybody in there has made at least three changes already.
Hasn't this Matthews any mind of his own?
Blink Moran, the Network producer, Miss Thorndyke.
How do you do? Is anything wrong?
Don't mind Blink, he's got ulcers.
You listen to politicians night after night. You'll have ulcers, too.
Mr. Matthews is no politician.
I've read this lady, he is for my dough.
In the library, I think we can be among friends.
Coca Cola. Well, speak of the devil.
Am I glad to see you, I was afraid you were going to be late.
Not tonight, Jim. I've waited too long for this.
Bill Hardy's waiting to meet you. Bill Hardy, Miss Thorndyke.
How do you do? Nobody told me not to dress.
Why, Mr. Hardy, you and I are going to stand out.
It was sheer wizardry, the angle you used on those Boston Irish.
Thanks.
Martini for her. Very dry.
Does Mary know she's here? She invited her.
Have you ever been in a hurricane? No.
You will be.
Double whammy on her.
And, Mr. Hardy, with you on our team,
nobody can accuse us of being Wall Street, can they?
No.
The Judge and Mrs. Alexandar are coming here tonight.
Do you know how to mix a Sazerac?
Sazerac?
Yeah, it's a absinthe and...
It's a form of suicide but don't sample one
because it will light up your vest buttons.
That's all she drinks, and drinks.
The Judge takes straight bourbon.
Spike, don't think I'm forgetting your contribution
to this great moment.
Secretary of the Treasury, that's all I ask.
Nobody's gonna get sore about this Matthew's speech.
He's for everything except sin.
He must be bowlegged from straddling.
Couple of months ago, he made some good speeches. What happened to him?
Spike! Here he is now.
Spike.
Later, boys. We'll get that later. Hello, boss.
Everything all right? Fine, biggest news since V.J. Day.
Did you get the speech timed?
Time's all right. What kind of a crack is that?
That's a joke. Come on.
What happened? Got that before-the-big-game...
No, I'm all right. Just want to be sure there's no slip-ups.
How's the audience? They were cold. I couldn't warm them up.
You know a man's never a hero...
Yeah, in his own home town. Is everybody here?
Yeah, in the library. Sam Parrish is on his way.
The Judge and Lulubelle are due any minute.
They like to be sure the bar's open.
Yeah, I'll be right down.
Hi, Dad. Want to hear our radio speech?
Mom just helped. What's the idea of this getup?
Our band. It's on the show. Whose idea was that?
Yours, Grant. Oh. Oh, Hello, Mary.
Keep out from underfoot, don't be getting in people's hair.
Mary, I want you to know I realize this is not going to be too easy for you.
And you're nice to do it for me, and I appreciate it.
Nonsense, Grant, I hope it's everything you want it to be.
Oh, I almost forgot. These are for tonight.
I didn't think he even remembered.
Remembered the what? Oh, the anniversary.
My error.
Larraņagas. It's the only kind Jim Conover smokes.
Is she here? Yeah.
Where is she? In the library.
Well, here we go.
You know something, Spike? What?
To quote your friend Conover, I'd give my right arm up to here for a drink.
Oh, no, Mary, please. Not tonight.
If there's one thing we don't want, it's too much frankness.
All right, Spike. I'll be good.
Hey, Mom, you look swell.
Thank you.
Oh, my carpet.
Now, I'd like to propose a toast.
To the lovely lady who picked Grant out of the pile in the first place.
Thank you, Jim.
Hello, Mary. It was nice of you to ask me.
Hello, Kay. You're just in time for a cocktail. Thank you.
You're looking very pretty tonight.
Mary is going to be the best-looking first lady we've ever had.
Let's get a nice picture there. Shall we?
I'm sorry I wasn't here to welcome you.
Face this way. This is the first broadcast my children...
Big smile, that's right. Shoot it.
That's good.
...broadcast my children have ever been on. They're very excited.
Mary, Bill Hardy.
Mr. Hardy the labor man.
How do you do? Nobody told me not to dress.
I am glad you did dress. Men are much too lazy today about dress.
Ed Lauterback. The farm expert.
How do you do? Your husband talks well but you're prettier.
Thank you very much Mrs. Draper, Mrs. Matthews.
Mrs. Matthews, you should be seen more in public with your children.
Foreigners like children.
Doesn't everybody?
Grace, let's not get started on politics right away.
You're in for a very bad evening.
No, politics is new to me, but I'm very interested.
You've got the "very" in the wrong place, Mary. Interested but very new.
Jim means I haven't...
Thank you. He means I haven't lost my amateur standing.
You're learning, I hope. That's a dangerous hope.
You politicians have stayed professionals
only because the voters have remained amateurs.
Anybody home?
Hello, Judge. I am Spike MacManus, remember me?
Indeed I do. It's a great pleasure seeing you again, sir.
This is Mrs. Alexandar. How do you do?
Mrs. Matthews, Judge and Mrs. Alexandar.
An honor to be here, Mrs. Matthews.
It's my duty to sentence your husband to four years in the White House.
And I think I can safely promise the votes of at least five Southern states.
In the election? I said "Southern states", ma'am.
In the Republican Party, we count only in the convention,
which reminds me: when I was a small boy...
Well, I'll see you later, Judge.
It has been a pleasure seeing you again.
Who is he?
He is a newspaper man, a friend of my husband's.
Bourbon for you, sir? You read my mind.
I bet he can't read my mind.
Sazerac, I believe.
Lulubelle, your reputation is getting too well-known.
You know how to make a Sazerac? I think so.
If he only thinks so, Jeff, you better make that Sazerac.
Yes, indeed, sugar pie.
That's my job.
I'm especially glad you were able to come tonight, Mrs. Alexandar.
Won't everyone sit down?
I'm afraid we women are going to be outnumbered.
When I go out with the Judge's Republican friends,
I am always outnumbered.
I make it a point to tell my hostess right off
that while Jeff's a Republican, I am a Democrat.
But you can speak freely.
You Republicans can't say anything about the Administration
mean enough for us Democrats down South.
Would you like a little martini?
Mmm-mmm.
Just an idea.
Hello, Grant. Where've you been?
Hello, everybody. I am sorry, I am late.
You been rehearsing your speeches? Hello, Bill.
Nobody told me not to dress. On you it looks good.
Well, Judge. Grant?
You're not going to drink that thing, are you?
You're in the program, you know. Mary, you should know...
Grant, this is Mrs. Alexandar.
Hello, Mrs. Alexandar. Mr. Matthews.
Handsome, isn't he?
You're the first good reason I've ever seen for voting Republican.
I told your wife I was a Democrat.
I understand they're a necessary evil.
Well, you know us Southerners, we vote Democratic down home
but we've got an awfully good Republican record in Congress.
One minute to go.
Is Sam Parrish here yet? No.
Why isn't he? What's the matter? Can't you do your job?
Something's got to be said about the South tonight.
You take Richmond... Do I have to take it again?
Jeff? Yes.
This is the best Sazerac I've ever had.
Fix me another one, honey, right away. All right.
Hello, Kay. Ready to go?
Destination White House. Yeah, well, we can hope, can't we?
How many people listening tonight? Between 15 and 20 million.
Is that all? Well, it's enough.
Stand by, everybody. Twenty seconds.
Tell them 20 seconds.
Twenty seconds.
All right, everybody. Now on your toes. Nothing must go wrong.
Good luck, Grant. Thank you.
Good luck, Grant.
Hold it. Five seconds.
Ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to history.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a paid political broadcast.
Paid for, not by any political group or organization,
but by thousands of public spirited citizens
who have taken this method of insuring that their voice,
the voice of the people shall be heard.
Jeff, honey, if I've got to listen to speeches,
you better fix me another Sazerac right away.
Yes, honey.
...in factories, in schools.
Voicing his opinions of the problems besetting our nation
and frankly outlining his ideas of how they should be met.
No politician, this, selling a bill of goods,
no candidate for any office,
instead a private citizen fulfilling what he saw as the duty of a citizen.
The result: a stirring demonstration of democracy in action.
All over the country spontaneously, unsponsored,
hundreds of Matthews for President Clubs sprang up overnight.
And tonight, in more than 400 American cities,
men and women are gathered together in the American way in halls, tents,
town squares, in their own homes...
Where's Grant Matthews?
Where's our next president?
Who are you?
They have contributed their dimes and their dollars
to pay for this telecast.
This is their program. This is, in truth, the voice...
Where's your speech? Right here.
Relax, fella. All you gotta worry about is a third term.
Where's Mary? She's in the library.
Hello, everybody! Sam.
Late as usual.
Mary. Sam.
I could eat you with a spoon.
Nobody told me not to dress. Isn't that what you're after, Bill?
Put evening clothes on labor and let the rest of us go without.
Gosh, no. Don't give me anything.
I have been celebrating all afternoon.
Great gosh Almighty. Do we have to listen to Ed Lauterback?
That's better. Hello, Miss Thorndyke.
Where did you get to that night in Detroit?
I looked all over the banquet hall for you.
I didn't go to the banquet.
I thought that's why you were in Detroit, to hear Grant's speech.
Were you in Detroit when we were there, Kay?
You must've seen her, Mary. She was on her way up to your suite.
I'd just left you, remember?
No, I didn't see Kay in Detroit.
You must've dropped in to talk to Grant about his speech on big business.
Well, what Grant said about big business that night was all right.
Especially about high tariff, eh, Bill? Yeah.
So you changed Grant in Detroit?
Sam, did you get that finance report I sent you?
Yes, and it's a rotten job.
You let me handle money matters from now on.
Hello, Judge. You drinking with both hands now?
Hello, Sam. These are for Lulubelle.
Sam, you're on. How am I doing?
I am so hungry for some good Republican talk I brought you two.
Jeff, you're an angel.
I'll take one of those, Judge.
Mary, what are you doing with that?
If we're going to have a high tariff, I might as well get a little high myself.
For Pete's sake, those are liquid dynamite.
Too bad I didn't have some in Detroit.
Jim, there's something I want...
Jeff, darling, make me another one right away.
Yes, honey. Would you make another one for me, too?
Yes, sugar. I mean, ma'am.
My, my. They're very strong, aren't they?
Surely.
What's in them? I don't know.
You've been drinking these for years and you've no idea what's in them?
Never bothered to ask, but it makes you feel good. That's all I know.
I do hope Mr. Matthews is including those paragraphs
I gave him about the Italians.
Their vote is so important.
If you favor Italy, won't that loose you the Abyssinian vote?
There are about 17 Abyssinians in the United States.
And only three of them vote.
Good. Then we don't need to worry about justice for the Abyssinians.
Abyssinia? That's up north, isn't it?
Where did those come from?
Mary, remember you have to go on the air.
If this weren't my house, I could tell her some place she has to go to, too.
Of course, in this election, the Polish vote will be the most important.
I thought the Poles voted in Poland.
We are talking about Polish-Americans.
Can you be both?
More power to you, honey.
Thank you. They are full of it, aren't they?
Surely.
For Grant Matthews has long known and loved
the clean, rich smell of fresh turned Earth.
His hands have labored in the soil.
And helped it bear rich fruit.
Grant Matthews, like another great Republican, Abraham Lincoln,
is of the earth and of the people.
He has not forgotten either.
He knows that a prosperous and protective and productive agriculture...
All right, Mrs. Draper, here's your big moment.
We're ready.
Anyway, for president.
Mary, have a heart. You've to be ready.
You're gonna miss Grant on the air.
I am different from Grant. I'd rather be tight than be president.
You're on a spot. You have to be ready to do some quick thinking.
Don't worry about me. I'm a very thick quinker.
Oh, brother.
Honey, you got twisted up on that one. I did?
Sure. I didn't.
What did I say? You said "thick quinker".
I think I presented the farmers' case if I do say so.
Indeed. Who can speak for the farmer better than you, Mr. Lauterback.
Thank you, Mrs. Matthews. Not at all.
Who else could make hay in the Capitol lobby?
I thought it was funny, too. Oh, my dear.
I haven't enjoyed myself so much since Huey Long died.
What's the matter, honey?
Oh, Lulubelle, I don't know what's the matter with me.
I don't want to do any more.
I just want him...
Kay, you better get in this.
Bill's holding a pistol at my head.
What do you mean? He's welching.
I am not welching.
You want me to go on that radio to support Matthews?
Certainly. Then I name the labor members
of the National Labor Board.
Grant made no such deal.
Jim and I did. We did not. You misunderstood me.
I said you could veto the appointments.
You're next, Mr. Hardy. Not till I get this settled, get Matthews.
Never mind Matthews.
You can't have that. Labor as a whole must make those appointments.
If I support Matthews, I am labor as a whole as far as he is concerned.
If Hardy gets what he wants, then I name Agriculture.
Hold on, I've got a stake here.
Butt out, Parrish. We don't need kibitzers. Kibitzers?
I am raising the money here, and money still talks.
Hardy, one minute to go.
You better get Matthews in here. Hold it, Spike.
You wouldn't be here if you could've made a better deal anywhere else
and you're staying until the end of the ride.
When the time comes, I'll take care of the details.
I want to hear that from Matthews. He's the candidate.
As far as you're concerned, I'm the candidate. You'll do as I say.
So help me, I'll break you in my newspapers.
Twenty seconds.
Make up your mind.
All right.
I'll go. I'll go.
As for the rest of you, you'll stick to your bargains.
Grant's not to be bothered. If you've any problems, come to me.
I'll say one thing for you, Kay.
You have the courage of your convictions.
You've had a wonderful evening, wise-cracking, clowning,
but now, you've got to get a grip on yourself.
Get some black coffee.
In a few minutes, you have to introduce your husband to the country.
Mom!
Come on in. The man said we make our speeches next.
He said not to be nervous. I'm not nervous, Mom. Are you?
Judge, your big moment. Okay.
Relatives listening. Grandpappy staying up to hear.
Put the children to bed. They're not making any speech.
But Mommy? What are you talking about?
Wait a minute.
Great gosh Almighty, Mary.
They're not going on.
Mary, what's the matter? What's happened here?
And I am not going on either. What?
I am not tight, Kay. Not anymore.
Not after watching you vultures picking at Grant's dead body.
And if that wasn't enough to sober me up, the sight of my children did.
Mary... I am not going on. I can't.
To millions of people I am suppose to say
I know my husband to be honest, uncompromising, fearless.
I could've said that once and meant it, but not anymore.
Not after he met up with you, Jim Conover, and you, and you, and you,
and you, Kay Thorndyke.
You and your mad ambition.
Catering to his conceit, dealing and double-dealing.
You were going to make a big man of him, weren't you?
You couldn't see that he was a big man.
You killed him.
That won't be Grant Matthews those people hear tonight.
It'll be a shadow, a ghost, a stooge mouthing words that aren't yours,
thoughts that aren't your own.
You've killed Grant Matthews, and he's a party to his own murder.
Well, I won't be.
You wanted a cause, you've got one.
A cause of lies, fear, and corruption.
Hallelujah.
There goes the ball game.
She's gone crazy!
She called us a lot of crooks.
What did you expect her to say? It's the truth.
What do you mean... We don't have to kid ourselves, do we?
She has the right to say what she thinks. That's how I want her to be.
I'm going after the nomination.
That's what we've all been working for.
Where's Mary? The kids are on next.
The kids aren't going on. Neither is Mary.
Tell that quartet to sing again. Come on, sit down here.
You're going on in Mary's place. One of the kids is sick.
You're a friend of the family. Emergency.
You've stepped in to read Mary's speech.
Change the word... here.
Don't let Kay take your place now. Leave me alone, Spike.
You love Grant Matthews. That big mug is your whole life.
You know you do.
If you don't get in there now, you're going to lose him.
Spike? Spike?
Mary, take it from a guy who knows his horseflesh.
Grant Matthews loves you. Deep down, he loves you.
He's just run into a blind spot, that's all.
Spike MacManus.
Kay's being stupid.
She's trying to put Grant into the White House.
The one place she can't follow him.
And you, you're trying to keep him out of it.
Out where the hunting is open, out where Kay can grab him.
Be smart, Mary.
If Grant is elected, you'll be the first lady in more ways than one.
Are you going to throw that out of the window?
It's too late, Spike.
Okay, Mary.
I had the idea you were still in love with him.
Looks like the old MacManus crystal ball finally cracked.
All right, read it.
Like any mother, Mrs. Matthews thinks a sick child
more important than any broadcast.
She's remaining upstairs with her daughter.
Her speech will be read by a friend and neighbor.
This is what Mary Matthews wanted to say.
Great, every woman in America will be bawling.
Grant, you follow me. Give it everything you've got.
Does anybody listen to me?
Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Grant Matthews.
"This is Mary Matthews.
"I am prejudiced in my husband's favor naturally.
"Though I know he has his faults.
"He likes the morning paper all to himself at breakfast
"and a toothache becomes a world crisis.
"I guess he's much like all husbands in that."
She's marvelous, Grant.
"But all in all, he's quite a man, Grant Matthews.
"A good father and a good husband,
"but I see in him more than that.
"I see a man who is honest, uncompromising,
"fearless, a man of great vision and enormous courage."
Mary? "Above all, my Grant...
Mary, stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
What happened to you? What changed you?
I thought you were going to stay honest.
we'll resume from the Matthews' home...
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Grant Matthews.
I am sorry to interrupt but I can't take any more of this.
Don't you shut me off. I am paying for these broadcasts.
Don't cut him off. Give him a chance. It'll cost me my job.
Ladies and gentlemen,
that speech you just heard Mrs. Matthews make,
she doesn't believe a word of it.
When she told you I was a good husband,
a man of courage and the rest of that tripe,
the words were choking in her throat.
A few minutes ago, she told me what she really thought of me.
She called me a coward
and said that I had sold out my ideals to a gang of corrupt politicians,
and she was right.
Then she was telling me the truth. Stop him.
I have as much right to run for president as a gutter rat.
Cut him off! Cut him off!
Let him talk!
That squealing you hear, that's from the politicians.
Those fearless patriots you heard supporting me on the air tonight.
Now, they are hurt.
They are hollering. They are trying to shut me up.
And I don't blame them.
You can't call me corrupt and get away with it.
Your dirty company union fake.
Give me that microphone! There it is. Go on. Take it.
Tell them how you bragged you could deliver those 700,000 union votes of your men
if I made you the big shot of labor.
Go on, your men will be interested to hear that.
Tell them I was sucker enough to believe that you could deliver any votes.
Wait until I get through with your plants.
You won't do a thing to my plants.
Put him on the front page, boys.
Are there any of the rest of you characters
who'd like to use this microphone to speak a little truth into it?
You any better than they are?
A man just stepped up and asked me
if I was any better than the rest of them.
No, I am not. As a matter of fact, I am worse than they are.
They're after all they can grab. They're one-way guys.
But not me.
I was going to play both ends against the middle.
I sold out to them, but get this straight,
I am no lamb led to the slaughter.
I ran to it.
I had the right idea when I started to talk to you people of America.
The idea that you voters, you farmers, you businessmen, you working men,
you ordinary citizens of whatever party
are not the selfish scum that venal politicians make you out to be.
I thought I could speak my piece straight out and forward.
I thought I could tell you that this country of ours is young. It's not old.
That we've just begun to grow.
That all we need is courage.
And from out of that courage will come a greatness greater than we ever dreamed.
I wanted to tell you that we Americans are the hope of the world.
And the secret of our great plenty is freedom.
And we've got to share that secret and that plenty
with the other nations of the world.
And I wanted to tell you that we face a great problem.
Because when people are cold and hungry and scared,
they gather together in panicky herds,
ready to be led by communists and fascists
who promise them bread for freedom
and deliver neither.
Those are the things I wanted to say you.
But I lost faith in you.
I lost faith in myself.
I was afraid I wouldn't become president.
I forgot that the one thing you've got to do is speak your piece no matter what.
So with the help of this gang of parasites,
I convinced myself that the way to be elected was to play down
to your lowest common denominator instead of up to your highest.
To cater to the hatred of every class and race.
To appeal to the worst in you, not the best in you.
I used my wife, my kids, my friends.
My whole campaign was a fraud.
This is no simple fireside broadcast
paid for by your dollars and dimes.
This is an elaborately staged professional affair.
I have spent $200,000 in exploitation and publicity
on "Matthews for President" campaigns.
I thought I could hijack the Republican nomination.
I became an Al Capone of politics, but I forgot one thing.
I forgot how quickly the Americans
smell out the double dealers and the crooks.
My wife knew,
and I knew tonight.
When I attended a meeting right here in Greatwood.
They were all my friends there.
People who had known me for years and liked me.
But they didn't like me anymore.
They were on to me.
They knew I was a phony.
Well, I guess that's the story, ladies and gentlemen.
And it certainly isn't one I am proud of.
I am the guy who screamed
for a warrior's courage
to face the simple private battles of everyday life.
I am the guy they meant when they said,
"Physician, heal thyself."
And so, here and now I withdraw
as a candidate for any office,
not because I am honest, but because I am dishonest.
I want to apologize
to all the good, sincere people
who put their faith in me.
And
I want to
apologize to my wife.
Grant.
This is where I came in.
About that job, Kay,
still win or lose?
Then I lose, Jim.
I saw a man on the cover of Newsweek that I think you and I...
Mr. Matthews, Republican headquarters called.
They want to know if this means you're out of politics.
No, I am just getting into politics.
I am going to the Republican Convention
and I am going to the Democratic Convention.
I am going to open doors, break down windows, let in fresh air.
I am going after every candidate who compromises
and I am going after every lazy voter who doesn't vote.
Take that gosh darn microphone. Maizie!
Fired? Fired.
Hired? Hired.
Matthews is our man!