Politics | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Charles Reisner |
Screenplay by | Wells Root Robert E. Hopkins |
Story by | Zelda Sears Malcolm Stuart Boylan |
Starring | Marie Dressler Polly Moran Roscoe Ates |
Cinematography | Clyde De Vinna |
Edited by | William S. Gray |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Politics is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Charles Reisner and written by Wells Root and Robert E. Hopkins. The film stars Marie Dressler, Polly Moran, Roscoe Ates, Karen Morley, and William Bakewell. It was released on July 25, 1931 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. [1] [2]
Crime runs rampant in Lake City and the corrupt mayor is running for another term of office. It appears as though he will win until the disgusted women of the town back homebody Hattie Burns to run against him.
Hattie and her grown daughter Myrtle share a house with married Ivy and Peter Higgins;and Hattie finds herself cast as peacemaker between the couple more than once. Myrtle is dating handsome Benny Emerson, who presents her with an engagement ring. But dropping into a speakeasy to make a phone call,somebody tries to kill Benny and a popular local girl,Daisy Evans, is killed by a stray bullet. Myrtle hides a wounded Benny in the attic of their house and doesn't tell her Mother.
At a town meeting, Hattie finds the Mayor's statements on the shooting to be unsatisfactory. Her female friends start a grass roots campaign to run her for Mayor. Hattie is doubtful about this until the local crime boss,Jim Curango, visits her home and tries to sweet talk her into not running. She evicts him as "gently" as possible.
The men of the community are worked up that their wives are so involved in politics that they are neglecting the housework.The women up the stakes by going on complete strike against the men. After 5 days, the men are exhausted from attempting to do all the unfamiliar chores, and give in. Peter is the only holdout.Attempting to move into a hotel, he goes to the attic for his suitcases and discovers Benny. He returns with the police, and Myrtle has to confess to her Mother. The 'scandal" briefly threatens to ruin Hattie's chances of winning---but the local police have rounded up the real killer and sweated a confession out of him.The Police Chief announces Hattie should get full credit for helping to crack t he case, and all the police will be voting for her.
Hattie does become Mayor.And her first duty is to preside over the marraige of her daughter and Benny.