GIVE 'EM HELL, HARRY
US, 1975, 102 minutes, Colour.
James Whitmore.
Directed by Steve Binder.
Give 'Em Hell, Harry was a one-man stage show presenting the life and the work of President Harry Truman. It was a tour de force for veteran actor James Whitmore. The stage presentation has been adapted to the screen - showing the audience, hearing their applause, showing Whitmore on stage. The effect is quite credible. The skill in reminding us that it is a stage presentation on screen helps-us to accept it more. Whitmore is excellent in his impersonation. He has a capacity for acting, mimicry and mime. He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.
This film is an interesting blend of personal insights into Truman, the background of his family, rise to power. There are many observations on American internal politics and international policies. There is much humour in the film. Other films on presidents of the United States include Henry King's biography of Wilson with Alexander Knox and Sunrise At Campobello where Ralph Bellamy portrayed Roosevelt. Emilio de Antonio had a satiric portrait of Nixon prior to his presidency in Millhouse, A white comedy. The film reflects the anti-Nixon tone of the United States in the mid-'70s.
1. For whom was the film made? Impact for an American audience? Republicans, Democrats? Non-Americans? interest in Harry Truman, his life, personality, impact in American politics and history?
2. The quality of the film as filmed theatre? The contrast in theatrical and cinema presence? The bringing of theatre presence onto the screen? The highlighting of the stage, the stage effects? The theatre, the audience arriving, their being viewed at various times, applause? How well was this sustained? The quality of the performance, one man, the staging and the lighting? His imitations, miming?
3. The impact of the one-man show - James Whitmore and his presence, style? The quality of his impersonation, the need for timing and miming, his conversations? The intimate bond with the audience, talking to the audience and their response? How well did this work on screen?
4. The focus of the title, capturing an essence of Truman's approach? The screenplay and seeing Truman at work, his being revealed as a person, glimpses of his history, his home, family, career, the causes that he was Interested in? His wife, celebrities of the day? The issues of the day? The devices to reveal this - the monologue, imitation visits, phone calls, re-enactments?
5. How did Truman emerge as a person - his honesty, directness, qualities of perception, involvement in politics, causes and rights, a Democrat, humour? His love for the audience - serious tones, moralising, anecdotes, his grin?
6. Truman's place in American history - unexpected President, the end or World War Two, Hiroshima and the atomic bomb, Korea, home politics, Eisenhower as his successor? How well did the film present these Issues?
7. The various episodes in the film and their illustrating particular themes:
i) Family: the letter to Margaret and its contents? The picture of his home, moving, his presentation of Bess? The letter to the music critic -Margaret's piano, Truman's views?
ii) Internal policy: the themes of management and the unions, the strict and severe tone that he took initially? The financial life and too few having financial control? The speech to the Senate? His comments on Wall Street and greed? The background of elections, his being on the road? The background of the Ku Klux Klan, civil rights for blacks, Missouri, his election, the threats, his holding the meeting? Mc Carthy era and his comment on the big lie? Dewey and singing the song about him? The 1948 campaign and its issues and personalities? The polling booth re-enactment? His comments on having a liar in office and the anti-Nixon applause?
iii) International policies: Jacobsen and the establishment of Israel and his comments on how to handle the Middle East situation? The comments on the dropping of the atomic bomb, his comments on Japan, the irony of no apology for Pearl Harbour? The history of the White House?
iv) America and its place in the world: the history of the White House and his pride in it, his comment on various presidents e.g. Jefferson? The visit of Hoover and his respect for him, his comments on the Depression, on the need for food and commissioning Hoover to work for this? Thai memory of America in World War One? Macarthur and the confrontation with Truman? The background of Korea and American involvement? Marshall and Truman's respect for him? Eisenhower and his letters? American patriotism and the quotation from Tennyson's Locks ley Hall?
v) The personal insights into Truman: his manner, his smile? His egalitarian approach? Comments on health - and the comments on the American presidents e.g. Jefferson and migraine, Roosevelt and his polio? His own involvement in World War One and the officers in command, the strict approach, loyalties? His comments on beauty and ugliness? Locksley Hall and his patriotism as revealing himself? A rounded portrait of a President?
