I would jump at the chance to see this one of kind look at American
Politics at the crossroads. Before the media age had turned political
campaigns into impersonal commercials, even the stars (in this case,
Kennedy and Humphrey) had to go out and press the flesh, hard.
While Kennedy is slicker and seems to have the more organized
machine behind him, he is still a saint of apprachability compared to
today's most folksie candidate. That's just how it was done before T.V.
had compleatly eaten us alive.
Some of the stuff with the affable, tireless Humphrey is
particuairly memorable. Speaking to a bunch of stone faced Wisconson
Farmers, his giddy style takes on a real comic poniency, he's like a
comic trying to loosen up Ed Gein.
Yet, you get from both candidates, yes, corny as it may sound,
they actually give a curse about the people they are talking to. If you
think that has all but vanished, as I do, you may find this film as
striking as I do. Some of the camera crew went on to "Don't Look Back"
and "Gimmie Shelter". 8 out of 10.