In another "pull out the stops" performance, the fantastic Susan Hayward takes no prisoners as a roadhouse "escort girl" who ends up as the wife of her "pick-up", none other than a candidate for the governor of an unmentioned Southern state. Played by the dashing Dean Martin, this charming politician isn't above singing a song at a campaign to get votes, and he's also not above telling adviser Martin Balsam to butt out of his personal life when Balsam tells him to get rid of his floozie when he is about to go off with Hayward "to discuss" his political goals. Fortunately for him, Hayward doesn't go off on Balsam at that time, but when Martin suddenly proposes to Hayward, she sees the opportunity to gain some respectability as well as find the type of love that's never been offered to her before in her life. Hayward is initially polite but quickly stands up to the man with the power behind Martin's candidacy (Wilfred Hyde White) who obviously sees this as a blockade in Martin's political future which would block things White wants to gain from Martin being elected.
Obviously, Martin is elected, but not without some scandal, and as the new governor's wife, Hayward quickly stands up to some of the political and businesswomen's wives (among them Kathryn Card of "I Love Lucy" who gets a good put down from Hayward), and when Martin is injured in a not quite accidental bombing of his car, Hayward steps in as Lieutenant Governor to fulfill the promises of Martin's campaign. She further standing up to White who begrudgingly comes to respect her, but it is apparent that White's involvement in Martin's "accident" was quite intended to keep Martin under his thumb and do as he demands. This is a very compelling political drama along the lines of "Advise and Consent" and "The Best Man" which shows the power of the woman behind the throne, an analogy of what some of our first ladies could possibly have been like behind their famous fudge, yellow roses, anti-drug campaigns, ball gowns and re-decorating plans.
It is obvious that the love between Martin and Hayward's characters are real, so she gets quodos for not using him. Hayward gets some terrifically acidic lines and delivers them as if she was biting into a steak, bone and all. She is unafraid to stand up to even the most powerful and dangerous of men, confronting those with vigor who do her man wrong. Hayward's character shows that it is often women from the bottom of the barrel who climb higher and faster and get more done than those who start at the top. A great supporting cast includes Frank Maxwell (as a loyal adviser to Martin whom White pushes out to fulfill his goals), Larry Gates and Ralph Meeker. Wonderfully directed by Daniel Mann, this is political soap opera at its most riveting.
Obviously, Martin is elected, but not without some scandal, and as the new governor's wife, Hayward quickly stands up to some of the political and businesswomen's wives (among them Kathryn Card of "I Love Lucy" who gets a good put down from Hayward), and when Martin is injured in a not quite accidental bombing of his car, Hayward steps in as Lieutenant Governor to fulfill the promises of Martin's campaign. She further standing up to White who begrudgingly comes to respect her, but it is apparent that White's involvement in Martin's "accident" was quite intended to keep Martin under his thumb and do as he demands. This is a very compelling political drama along the lines of "Advise and Consent" and "The Best Man" which shows the power of the woman behind the throne, an analogy of what some of our first ladies could possibly have been like behind their famous fudge, yellow roses, anti-drug campaigns, ball gowns and re-decorating plans.
It is obvious that the love between Martin and Hayward's characters are real, so she gets quodos for not using him. Hayward gets some terrifically acidic lines and delivers them as if she was biting into a steak, bone and all. She is unafraid to stand up to even the most powerful and dangerous of men, confronting those with vigor who do her man wrong. Hayward's character shows that it is often women from the bottom of the barrel who climb higher and faster and get more done than those who start at the top. A great supporting cast includes Frank Maxwell (as a loyal adviser to Martin whom White pushes out to fulfill his goals), Larry Gates and Ralph Meeker. Wonderfully directed by Daniel Mann, this is political soap opera at its most riveting.