KISSES FOR MY PRESIDENT

US, 1964, 118 minutes, Black and white.
Fred Mac Murray, Polly Bergen, Eli Wallach, Arlene Dahl, Edward Andrews.
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.

Kisses for My President was released in the United States a month after the 1964 elections which led to Lyndon B. Johnson becoming president in his own right. This was a year or more after the assassination of President Kennedy. The atmosphere in the United States was one of transition from the 1950s to the changes in the 60s as well as the beginnings of war in Vietnam.

It might seem an unlikely time in American history to have a film about the first woman American president. However, in 2007-8 with the prospect of Hillary Clinton standing for election as president, the film has to topicality over forty years after its release.

Polly Bergen is a no-nonsense president. Fred Mac Murray enjoys himself as the First Gentleman – having to do all the typical First Lady functions, including meeting with all the women’s groups … There is interesting support from Eli Wallach and Arlene Dahl, one of the glamorous actresses from MGM in the 1940s. The film was directed by Curtis Bernhardt, better known for a lot of his dramas and melodramas at Warner Bros in the 1940s, with Bette Davis and other leading ladies including Conflict, Devotion, A Stolen Life. In the 1950s he made some colourful dramas including The Merry Widow, Miss Sadie Thompson, Beau Brummel and Interrupted Melody.

1. The quality of the film an an American comedy domestic and social comedy? The indication and tone of the title?

2. Black and white photography, the political and social mood of the sixties, Fred MacMurray? The presentation of Washington, politics? Musical background? How could the film be described as an old-fashioned style of American romantic and domestic comedy? Echoes of the thirties?

3. The reflection of the politics of the sixties, the belief in America, progress, the integrity of politicians, the condemnation of double-talk, the qualities of patriotism? How well were they conveyed, how realistically portrayed?

4. The film’s reflecting the attitudes of the sixties towards men and women? The role of women? How credible then, impact now?

5. The humour of the opening and the ambiguity about Lesley? Was Lesley a credible President, the explanation of her background and her experience, the way she was brought up? The details of her campaign, her shrewdness? The support of American women? How credible did the film make her by presenting her in office, confrontation with Senator Walsh, meetings, handling of personnel, her diplomacy, her grasp of situations? The importance of this an presenting a credible woman President?

6. The presentation of Lesley as a woman, wife and mother? The irony of seeing her in a man's role? Expectations for example at the White House and its setup for the President as a man?

7. The contrast with Thad and his expectations of being the First Man and not the First Lady? His not having a job and the irony of the functions of the President's Lady? The room, the office and the looking at the portraits? The two secretaries and the detailing of his programme? His giving up his job and the dullness that ensued?

8. How enjoyable was the irony of the interrelationship between men's and women's roles? People's expectations. audience expectations? The parody of the woman in the expected man's role? The man in the expected woman's role? How valid was the social comment?

9. The comedy with Valdez and the political comment? His background, his confrontation with Lesley, the backing of Senator Walsh and the later exposure during the Senate hearing? The comedy provided by his car sequences, the boat, the night club? The issues of American aid and American dictatorship, with Swiss bank accounts?

10. The presentation of Doris as the other woman? The social comment, her utilizing the opportunity and using Thad for her own purposes? As alternate President to his Vice President?

11. The political satire in the presentation of Senator Walsh, his harsh ideas, the implications of corruption?

12. The type of domestic comedy that audiences are familiar with, for example life in the White House, the yacht, the tour?

13. The emphasis on the breaking up of the family? The neglect of the children, the comment on the children bullying because of their rank?

14. How humorous was the ending? A possible cop-out of the issues? The point being made about men and women?

13. Does the film now seem dated? Has it a relevance for modern movements?