A popular but naive country singer is elected governor of a southern state and, once in office, decides to dismantle the corrupt political machine that got him elected. Director Daniel Mann's 1961 political drama stars Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, Wilfred Hyde-White, Martin Balsam, Ralph Meeker, Connie Sawyer, William Walker, Ray Teal, Larry Gates and Kathryn Card.
Acting
Susan Hayward devours this role like it's her last meal
Costume
Hayward's governor's wife wardrobe is camp perfection
Director
Daniel Mann
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during JFK's presidency, this rode the wave of political idealism before cynicism took over. The casting of Dean Martin—Rat Pack cool guy—as earnest reformer is genuinely unhinged.
Susan Hayward replaced Elizabeth Taylor, who dropped out for Cleopatra. The film tanked so hard it's basically buried.
US
