In the early 1930s the only Tracy talked about was Lee. He had shot to Broadway fame in "The Front Page" and Hollywood, always on the lookout for new and different personalities, beckoned. From the start, no matter how small the role, he always stole the film until he was finally given the lead (after James Cagney walked out) in the hilarious "Blessed Event". Constance Cummings was also better than the parts she received and after the role of a loyal secretary to Edmund Lowe in "Attorney for the Defense", a role any ingénue could have played, she was given a more meaty part in "Washington Merry Go Round".
In this snappy expose of the real deal in Washington (I also liked this tons better than the remake "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" - why not, anything with Lee Tracy in it is just terrific), Tracy plays green horn Senator Button Brown who can trace his pedigree back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence but has also won his seat by the double dealing of Kellaher who expects him to perform as a puppet while the rest of them keep on robbing the coffers.
Tracy is allowed to give full vent to his fast talking and mesmerizing delivery - his Button is nobody's puppet but wants to make the country free and decent once again. As soon as he arrives he meets up with an old army buddy who shows him the real Washington - bread lines, a tent city filled with ex- servicemen holding out for a promised bonus that is not forth coming. He gives them a rousing speech telling them they have to get out and vote to rid the country of the corruption and vermin who gave him his free ticket to the Capital in the first place - the movie is worth it for that speech alone. But wait, there's more!!
Carl Tilden was a mentor of Button's who, having been an unwilling party to the graft and corruption around him, finally threatens to expose key lobbyist Norton (surprise, surprise it's Alan Dinehart!!) and his position as head of a big boot legging business. He commits suicide but not before he sends Button all the ammunition he needs to clean up Washington.
Constance Cummings is the "girl" but what a girl - she is Alice Wylie, grand-daughter of an elderly senator (Walter Connelley) whose eyes are finally opened when Button asks the insinuating question "why do you think you have always won at cards against Norton all these years when he holds all the aces!!". Cummings is the real surprise packet - after a cute meeting on a train, she takes Button in hand, becoming his secretary and is there when he gives his maiden speech - another Tracy kapow!! as he scathingly attacks one of the minor bills he is supposed to support. He makes a few big time enemies but the "little" senators give him a ringing endorsement. Alice is very sneering of the way he operates, telling him he will never get to the big time if he is going to make enemies of people like Norton - she doesn't realise what he is really like until a highly dramatic episode makes her see the light!!
If only people like Button/Tracy were around today I would vote for them in a flash!!
In this snappy expose of the real deal in Washington (I also liked this tons better than the remake "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" - why not, anything with Lee Tracy in it is just terrific), Tracy plays green horn Senator Button Brown who can trace his pedigree back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence but has also won his seat by the double dealing of Kellaher who expects him to perform as a puppet while the rest of them keep on robbing the coffers.
Tracy is allowed to give full vent to his fast talking and mesmerizing delivery - his Button is nobody's puppet but wants to make the country free and decent once again. As soon as he arrives he meets up with an old army buddy who shows him the real Washington - bread lines, a tent city filled with ex- servicemen holding out for a promised bonus that is not forth coming. He gives them a rousing speech telling them they have to get out and vote to rid the country of the corruption and vermin who gave him his free ticket to the Capital in the first place - the movie is worth it for that speech alone. But wait, there's more!!
Carl Tilden was a mentor of Button's who, having been an unwilling party to the graft and corruption around him, finally threatens to expose key lobbyist Norton (surprise, surprise it's Alan Dinehart!!) and his position as head of a big boot legging business. He commits suicide but not before he sends Button all the ammunition he needs to clean up Washington.
Constance Cummings is the "girl" but what a girl - she is Alice Wylie, grand-daughter of an elderly senator (Walter Connelley) whose eyes are finally opened when Button asks the insinuating question "why do you think you have always won at cards against Norton all these years when he holds all the aces!!". Cummings is the real surprise packet - after a cute meeting on a train, she takes Button in hand, becoming his secretary and is there when he gives his maiden speech - another Tracy kapow!! as he scathingly attacks one of the minor bills he is supposed to support. He makes a few big time enemies but the "little" senators give him a ringing endorsement. Alice is very sneering of the way he operates, telling him he will never get to the big time if he is going to make enemies of people like Norton - she doesn't realise what he is really like until a highly dramatic episode makes her see the light!!
If only people like Button/Tracy were around today I would vote for them in a flash!!