Product Code Database
Beau James is a 1957 American drama film directed by Melville Shavelson and starring Bob Hope, Vera Miles, Paul Douglas and Alexis Smith. It is based on a non-fiction book of the same name by Gene Fowler. The film features Hope in a rare dramatic role as Jimmy Walker, the colorful but controversial Mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932.
Under the guidance of Chris Nolan, his political mentor, Jimmy wins the election in a landslide. He later learns, though, that Allie has no intention of renewing their relationship. She is simply satisfied to be the great city's first lady.
A drunken Jimmy is found on a park bench by Betty Compton, who takes him home, not knowing who he is. She scolds him for his behavior upon learning Jimmy is the mayor, and a mutual attraction develops. He uses his political connections to help find her a job.
Such favors and graft become a focal point in 1929's reelection campaign, when opponent Fiorello LaGuardia mocks the mayor publicly and questions the current administration's integrity. Jimmy also goes bankrupt as a result of the stock market crash, and Betty grows despondent over his inability or unwillingness to get Allie to consent to a divorce.
Still popular with the public, Jimmy is reelected. He tries to bring Betty to his victory party, but it is against his colleagues' wishes. Tired of being hidden, Betty attempts suicide. She is hustled out of the country by Chris and impulsively marries a man who has been courting her.
The charges against Jimmy lead fellow Democrats to believe he could hurt Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential hopes for 1932. Jimmy admits to having accepted bribes and favors, claiming all successful politicians do. His popularity erodes. Spectators at a Yankee Stadium baseball game boo him for the first time. Jimmy offers his resignation as mayor in a speech from the field. He decides to leave New York, whereupon Betty, after a quick divorce, intends to join him, married or not.
One of the more memorable lines is when Walker is asked at a baseball game about a personal conduct scandal and replies: "My comment, and you can quote me, is I hope the Yankees win." Although Walker was actually the 97th mayor of New York, in a scene with reporters after his election, Hope claims he was the 100th.
The film includes cameo musical appearances by Jimmy Durante and Jack Benny as themselves. This was the final film of veteran comic actor Walter Catlett. Stock music from composers Elmer Bernstein, Nelson Riddle, David Rose and Victor Young is used throughout.
|
|
