FEVER IN THE BLOOD

US, 1961, 117 minutes, Black and white.
Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Angie Dickinson, Don Ameche, Ray Danton, Herbert Marshall.
Directed by Vincent Sherman.

Fever in the Blood was made at the beginning of the administration of John F. Kennedy. It was the beginning of a period of political films, explorations of political ambitions, deals, corruption. During the early 60s more ambitious films were made which included Advise and Consent, The Best Man, and a number of films with a nuclear holocaust theme.

This film was directed by veteran Vincent Sherman. Efrem Zimbalist Jnr and Angie Dickinson were both at the beginning of their careers. Don Ameche made a rare film appearance at this time as an unscrupulous senator. The supporting cast included Ray Danton and Herbert Marshall. The film is interesting in it portrait of the period, in its presentation of the tradition of manoeuvres in American politics and American justice - it was not successful in its time but it has the ingredients for interesting drama and melodrama.

1. Audience in politics, the law?

2. Black and white photography, Warner Bros. production values, the early 60s? The musical score, the cast?

3. The title, its relevance to politics and power?

4. 1960, the end of the period of Eisenhower and Nixon, the clash between Nixon and Kennedy? The beginning of the "Camelot Period"? Indications of the dark side of American politics?

5. The initial murder, the fact of the murder, the victim, the way the murder was used? Thornwall as victim? The trial, the murderer himself and his appearance in the witness stand? His character, lust and passion, brutality? His lies? His hearing of the new trial, his misinterpretation, fear, in the vehicle, speeding, the police, pursued and arrested?

6. Lee and Dan and their friendship, their host in the cabin, hunting? Dan assuming he was a good hunter? The fishing? The message about the death, Mickey and his arrival, the importance of the case for politics?

7. The race for governor: the candidates, the party background, the hopes, the deals? Alex Simon and his discussions with Dan, Dan's ambitions, Alex cutting across them? Lee and his hopes? Simon and his success in the Senate, his style? Illness? His relationship with Kathy, trying to win her love, ambitions for her? His role in the Senate, wanting to come home, the prestige of governor? His pressure on Dan and his supporters? The visit to the court, the attempt to bribe Lee in the gentlemanly way? Lee's reaction? His own reaction, enmity? His illness, the public denial? The press conference, his warding off blame, Kathy's reaction? His collapse, calling Kathy, calling Lee, the witness, the exoneration of Lee? Trying to do the honourable thing? Portrait of a complex politician?

8. Dan, his ambitions, the advice for taking on the trial, his antipathy towards Thornwell, the range of witnesses, Mickey and the insinuation about Thornwell's anger and attempt on his wife's life? His friendship with Lee, Lee as the presiding judge, their clashes and the court decisions? Antagonism towards Alex? Toughing things out, the deals? The justice of the case, his shifting stances? Winning the case? His wanting to do a deal with Lee? Lee's suspicions, the phone call to Mickey, the tape? His shrewdness public utterances and getting out of difficulties? Taking sides? Hurrying to the radio station, hitting the child? Present at the convention, not winning, being beaten? Publicly applauding Lee? A portrait of the ambitious politician overreaching himself?

9. The police and Mickey, helping Dan, being used, insinuating the information in the evidence, intimidated by Lee, making the phone call and it being recorded?

10. The sketch of the political bosses, reading the signs, advice to their candidates?

11. Lee and Efrem Zimbalist as a type, on holidays, honourable, his friend at the hunting lodge? His role as a judge? Memory of his wife, love towards Kathy and his honourable relationship with her? A discrete and just man? Presiding on the case, judging objections? Relationship with Dan? Allowing evidence? The discussions with Alex, the meal, the argument for a mistrial? His own dilemma about the mistrial? The deals, his decision to use the tape? Presenting at the court, changing his mind? The truth? Being blamed, Alex's death and the exoneration? Going to the convention, Public acclaim? The hopes of the ideal politician?

12. Kathy, her past love for Lee, his being married, marrying Alex, supporting trying to love him, Alex trying to win her love? Trying to do the right thing, the disgust with Alex and his press conference? Coming back to Lee?

13. Thornwell, the victim, exonerated in the trial?

14. The former governor, his relationship to the accused, testimony in court, his presence, observations, his attitude towards Lee, the discussion on the television? The reaction of the prosecution? His speech of acclaim at the convention?

15. The court proceedings, the defence lawyer and his arguments?

16. The early 60s, sense of period? American politics? Perennial issues in American politics?