Frank Capra State of the Union

(aka 'The World and His Wife')

Directed by Frank Capra
USA 1948

Ambitious political satire in which Tracy stars as Grant Matthews, a self-made millionaire manipulated into running for the White House by wily newspaper publisher Kay Thorndyke (Lansbury, playing twice her age and doing fine). Soon, of course, Matthews finds himself compromised by the demands of lobbyists and special interest groups. Putting Capra's sensible-shoes view of politics is Hepburn, cast against type as Mary Matthews, the voice of domestic reason. The role was originally intended for the softer, sweeter Claudette Colbert. And you can tell: 'Oh, that's silly,' she says, 'No woman could ever run for President. She'd have to admit she's over 35.'

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: April 30th, 1948

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DVD Review: Universal - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	2:02:20
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.8 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Universal Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: August 22nd, 2006 Keep Case Chapters: 28

Comments:

Reasonably full single-layered DVD with nothing but the two hour film and only two menu screens. This pragmatic release from Universal is progressive and looks quite acceptable. Greys and blacks are very strong and there are removable English subtitles. Audio was clear and consistent. There are no extras.

The film is as you would expect - a Capra fun-film with Tracy and Hepburn continuing their onscreen chemistry but Angela Lansbury seems to steal the show at times. A worthy viewing especially for fans - the price is set for easy purchase.