State of the Union (1948): Cast & Plot
State of the Union is a 1948 comedy drama directed by Frank Capra, starring Angela Lansbury as Kay Thorndyke, Lewis Stone and Spencer Tracy. It runs 2 hours 4 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 4m (124 min)
- Director
- Frank Capra
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Liberty Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is State of the Union About?
The premise of State of the Union without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When a powerful industrialist is persuaded to launch a bid for the presidency, he discovers the campaign comes at a steep personal price. To secure the nomination he must navigate treacherous political maneuvering while confronting painful compromises that strain his marriage and test his convictions.
State of the Union Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- presidential campaign
- republican party
- dysfunctional marriage
- television broadcast
- extramarital affair
- idealism
- campaign manager
- manipulative woman
- newspaper owner
- whistleblower
- president of the united states
- american democracy
+38 more Show fewer
- american politics
- american media
- politician
- industrialist
- husband wife relationship
- politics
- speech
- political corruption
- housekeeper
- airplane
- the white house washington d.c.
- reference to henry clay
- reference to bob hope
- reference to jack benny
- reference to harold stassen
- reference to abraham lincoln
- reference to al capone
- romantic rivalry
- democratic party
- listening in on a telephone call
- reference to harry s. truman
- italian accent
- sleeping on the floor
- drink
- drinking
- drunkenness
- newspaper editor
- hotel room
- bare chested man
- based on a stage play
- reference to the taft hartely act
- satire comedy
- phone booth
- actress recreates her stage role
- tracy and hepburn
- tracy and johnson
- president
- political drama
State of the Union Cast & Characters
Angela Lansbury leads the cast as Kay Thorndyke, with Lewis Stone as Sam Thorndyke and Spencer Tracy as Grant Matthews. Directed by Frank Capra; 32 actors are credited in all.
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Director Frank Capra
-
Angela Lansbury as Kay Thorndyke -
Lewis Stone as Sam Thorndyke -
Spencer Tracy as Grant Matthews - Georgie Nokes as Grant Matthews Jr.
Also Starring in State of the Union
· 28 more- Patti Brady Joyce Matthews
- Adolphe Menjou Jim Conover
- Van Johnson Spike McManus
- Katharine Hepburn Mary Matthews
- Irving Bacon Buck Swenson
- Roger Moore Photographer (uncredited)
- Margaret Hamilton Norah
- Arthur O'Connell First Reporter
- Charles Lane Blink Moran
- Stanley Andrews Senator (uncredited)
- Frank Mayo City Official
- Charles Sherlock Photographer (uncredited)
- Carl Switzer Bellboy
- Eddie Kane Television Prompter (uncredited)
- Herschel Graham Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)
- Dave Willock Pilot (uncredited)
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Joe Gilbert Newsreel Cameraman (uncredited)
- Tom Fadden Waiter
- Raymond Walburn Judge Alexander
- Charles Dingle Bill Nolard Hardy
- Eve Whitney Secretary
- Tor Johnson Wrestler
- Jerry Schumacher Newsreel Cameraman
- Harry Anderson Photographer (uncredited)
- Howard Smith Sam I. Parrish
- Maidel Turner Lulubelle Alexander
- Tom Pedi Barber
- Ellen Ross Secretary
More from Frank Capra
More films directed by Frank Capra, best-rated first: It's a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Rendezvous in Space.
State of the Union Plot Summary
What happens in State of the Union from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Kay Thorndyke, Angela Lansbury, a Republican newspaper magnate who inherits a vast empire from her father Sam Thorndyke, [Lewis Stone], envisions using the power of the press to install her lover Grant Matthews, Spencer Tracy, as president, with herself as the power behind the throne. The plan centers on steering the 1948 Republican National Convention toward a compromise dark horse candidate, rather than nominating heavyweight figures like Dewey or Taft, so that the party can claim a fresh, populist direction while Kay quietly controls the levers that move the pieces.
Full summary
The whole story of State of the Union, scene by scene
State of the Union Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Critics' Picks - NYTimes.com - Critics' Picks: 'State of the Union'
How Well Do You Know State of the Union?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Grant Matthews, the presidential candidate?
Cars in State of the Union
2 cars on screen: the 1946 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the unknown.
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1946 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role -
unknown Minor role
State of the Union Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “El estado de la Unión” and “Der beste Mann”.
- Also known as
-
- El estado de la Unión
- Der beste Mann
- L'enjeu
- Lo stato dell'unione
- Um Filho do Povo
- Frank Capra's State of the Union
- Sua Esposa e o Mundo
- I valet och kvalet
- 联邦一州
- 스테이트 오브 더 유니언
Seen State of the Union?
Movies Like State of the Union
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including State of the Union, The American President and The Best Man.
State of the Union FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of State of the Union, each answered in a sentence.
How long is State of the Union?
State of the Union runs 2 hours 4 minutes (124 minutes).
When was State of the Union released?
State of the Union was released on April 30, 1948.
Who directed State of the Union?
State of the Union was directed by Frank Capra.
More films by Frank Capra Who is in the cast of State of the Union?
State of the Union stars Angela Lansbury as Kay Thorndyke, Lewis Stone as Sam Thorndyke and Spencer Tracy as Grant Matthews, among 32 credited actors.
Does State of the Union have a post-credit scene?
No. State of the Union has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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