Tonight's Movie: Advise and Consent (1962)

Otto Preminger's ADVISE AND CONSENT (1962), detailing political machinations surrounding the confirmation hearings for a nominee for Secretary of State, remains surprisingly relevant over four decades later.

While watching the film one couldn't help but think of the attempted character assassinations during the hearings of Clarence Thomas and John Bolton, among others.

The large ensemble cast includes pros such as Walter Pidgeon, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, and Gene Tierney. One wonders how many viewers at the time realized Peter Lawford's womanizing senator may have been based on his brother-in-law, President Kennedy. Most interesting of all, one wonders if Robert Byrd has modeled his Senate performance after Charles Laughton's Senator from South Carolina (grin).

The movie is available on a fine-looking DVD which includes a commentary track.