BEAU JAMES
US, 1957, 105 minutes, Colour.
Bob Hope, Vera Miles, Paul Douglas, Alexis Smith, Darren McGavin?, Joe Mantell, Horace McMahon?, George Jessell.
Directed by Melville Shavelson.
Beau James is a biography of the flamboyant mayor of New York, Jimmy Walker, who was mayor from 1926 to 1932. As a film made in the mid-50s, this is a rather sanitised portrait of the mayor. It is also sentimental but quite enjoyable.
Walker’s administration was opposed by James Seabury and Fiorello La Guardia who later became mayor of New York. There were issues of corruption, especially at the time of the Depression. Some said that Jimmy Walker himself was clean but stupid.
It is a surprise to see Bob Hope in the central role. While he brings his comic touch to the character, it is probably the most serious portrayal that Bob Hope did in a film. Vera Miles is Betty Compton with whom he had a relationship. Alexis Smith is his wife.
The film shows the workings of New York City – continuing in some of the traditions of corruption in New York (one thinks of the Scorsese treatment of the 19th century politics in New York City in Gangs of New York).
Jimmy Walker is supposed to have composed the lyrics to the song ‘I’ll Take Manhattan’. Direction is by Melville Shavelson, a popular director of entertaining films during the 50s and 60s with such examples as The Seven Little Foys (with Bob Hope as Eddie Foy), Houseboat, The Five Pennies with Danny Kaye, It Started in Naples with Clark Gable and Sophia Loren as well as On the Double (Danny Kaye), A New Kind of Love (Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward). He also directed a number of films for television during the 1970s.
1. How enjoyable a film? Bob Hope vehicle? Memoir of Jimmy Walker? The blend of these?
2. The importance of style, colour, the recreation of New York in the 20s and 30s? The atmosphere of New York at the time? The importance of Walter Winchell's commentary and memoir throughout? His final comments? The effect of the structure of the film as a memoir and glimpse of a man rather than a character study?
3. The emphasis on the New York opening, Jimmy Walker's songs and their repetition throughout the film, as a theme? The flavour of New York? the various places where Jimmy Walker went especially for baseball, St Patrick's day processions, Broadway etc? City Hall and the atmosphere of politics?
4. Bob Hope's characterisation of Jimmy Walker? The explanation of Walker's background pressure from his father, politics? The ambitions to be mayor of New York and what that meant in America at the time? The presentation of Walker as a stooge for the Democrats? the collage of the campaign? His reaction on actually receiving office? How did he remain a stooge, how did he break away? The criticisms by La Guardia in 1929 and their validity? Charlie's criticisms and Walker's confession at the end? The person of Allie and her support of politics, the failed marriage? her coldness towards him and yet her public support? her ever presence especially at Roosevelt's trial? The contrast with Betty, young, singing the song and Walker's reaction, her helping him home in his illness? Her being auditioned for the show and her reaction, the attack on Jimmy? Her response at the opening? Her decision to stay with him? His taking her out in public and the danger for his career? her realisation of this and her reaction? Her contriving of the scene between them and her going out, marriage and divorce? Allie walking away from him at the end with her comments on divorce and the church? Betty and her coming back to him? Did he love them both?
6. Walker as mayor, the good that he did, his stupidity, his going on holidays, not supervising things well, running a good show at the baseball? Appointing friends?
7. The portrayal of Chris Nolan and his support, his being the messenger boy from the politicians? Charlie and his straight talking, support, resignation, attack on his treatment of Roosevelt, his leading the applause at the end?
8. The portrait of Jimmy giving his jobs and administration to friends? Their seeming goodness, links with him, corruption? Deals? The importance of the exposure sequences?
9. The political future of Roosevelt? The crisis for Jimmy Walker and the St Patrick's Day procession? his personal feelings? The church? The various deals and his long speech defending himself? The consequences of Charlie's talk and his resignation at the baseball match?
10. The portrait of the aftermath? The return of Betty? His wandering and Walter Winchell's final comments?
11. A portrait of American personalities, types, dreams and hopes?
12. A glimpse of American politic& of the past? Comparisons with the present?
