Rheinhardt, a cynical drifter, gets a job as an announcer for right-wing radio station WUSA in New Orleans. Rheinhardt is content to parrot WUSA's reactionary editorial stance on the air, even if he doesn't agree with it. Rheinhardt finds his cynical detachment challenged by a lady friend, Geraldine, and by Rainey, a neighbour and troubled idealist who becomes aware of WUSA's sinister, hidden purpose. And when events start spinning out of control, even Rheinhardt finds he must take a stand.
Acting
Newman's oily charm curdling into self-loathing.
Direction
Rosenberg lets scenes breathe until they suffocate.
Writing
Robert Stone's novel adapted with venom intact.
Director
Stuart Rosenberg
Paul Newman
Rheinhardt
Joanne Woodward
Geraldine
Anthony Perkins
Rainey
Laurence Harvey
Farley
Don Gordon
Bogdanovich
Pat Hingle
Bingamon
Bruce Cabot
King Wolyoe
Cloris Leachman
Philomene
Jerry Catron
Sidewinder Bates
Jim Boles
Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)
Michael Anderson Jr.
Marvin
Leigh French
Girl
Moses Gunn
Clotho
Wayne Rogers
Minter
Robert Quarry
Noonan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Newman hated the final cut so much he tried to buy and destroy it. The studio said no.
Released months after Kent State, audiences weren't ready to watch themselves. It bombed; history made it haunt.
US
