Few directors can make a “message movie” that manages to be earnest without being insultingly preachy. When trying to impart a viewpoint, it is simply far too easy to fall back on melodrama and heavy-handed agendas. Some manage the trick, however. Among the very best was Frank Capra, the legendary Italian-American director of such films as Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and It's A Wonderful Life. His films were often laden with socio-political messages about the power of individuals with the integrity to stand up to the faceless working of the American political machine, or stories about how ordinary people impact one another in ways that often go unnoticed. The warm, decidedly human style of his films made them inviting and memorable, even when dealing with topics as dry as politics.

Such was the case with 1948's State Of The Union, a political drama with comedic overtones that touches on marriage, the cynical and selfish nature of Washington politics, and compromising your integrity to win elected office. 

While the title is an obvious reference to the Presidency of the United States - the office Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is seeking in the film - the union most important to this film is one far more simple and far more complex than elected office: Marriage. The play on words is a clever reference to the dual nature of the story. 

Matthews is seeking the Presidential nomination after being urged to run by Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury), a player in the newspaper business. She is more than a newspaper executive, however. Thorndyke is also Matthews' mistress. She thinks his “every man” spirit can lead to victory, and thus bring her closer to power. He is shrewd enough to know that he can't win the Presidential nomination without presenting himself as a happily married man, however, so his estranged wife, Mary (Katherine Hepburn), is brought back into the picture. Mary knows of her husband's affair, but she believes he would make a great president, not because she wants to be close to power, but because she thinks him a good and decent man. She plays the role of the faithful wife, and his bid to ascend the ranks of American politics begins. 

So, too, do their troubles, trials and tribulations. Matthews' morality first begins to heal wounds in his marriage, then worsens those wounds as politics begins to taint his ideals. His is a very Capraesque journey. 

With a fantastic cast and a dynamic script by Myles Connolly (adapted from a Russell Crouse play of the same name), State Of The Union is a relentlessly talky movie, funny, engaging, lively and full of energy. When Spencer Tracy has a monologue to make, he barrels forward full-tilt, chewing scenery like a man possessed. In the hands of another actor, several of his speeches would be overbearing and boring. Instead, this legend of the silver screen makes them his own. Wonderful stuff. The same holds true for the other members of the cast. Rather than showing the gravitas for which she is famous, Katherine Hepburn is spunky, peppy, and a sheer delight, trading rapid-fire lines with her cast-mates with such precision you'd swear these were black and white Gilmore Girls outtakes. She is witty and intelligent and sexy. It is Lansbury who takes on the role of a woman with gravitas, bringing poise, sophistication and ruthlessness to the Kay Thorndyke part. It's the film's standout performance, made all the more impressive because she was sharing the screen with one of the all time great pairings in Tracy and Hepburn. If you only know Lansbury from Murder She Wrote, get ready for a surprise. She's brilliant. 

The impressive cast is welcome, in part because they help keep you focused. State Of The Union demands your attention. The rapid-fire pace means missing a scene or two will leave you woefully behind on the story. Every scene is important. Every turn of the plot speaks to, emphasizes, and refocuses the viewer on the underlying themes of integrity and honesty. 

Matthews, you see, just wants to do the right thing. He speaks his mind, and he does so honestly. He is an older, bolder Mr. Smith, going to Washington to right wrongs and improve life for people. At least, that's how his political career begins. It is hardly shocking to see that Matthews is sucked into the uglier side of politics, altering his views, behavior and morals the closer he comes to victory. Where initially he speaks openly and honestly, as the movie wears on and he becomes entrenched in the political machine his pronouncements become increasingly empty and meaningless. While he loses his way, his estranged wife can only look on, distraught that this good man is changing. It's a classic build-'em'-up to knock-'em-down scenario, designed to teach the characters - and us - lessons in integrity. 

There is a lot to like here. As expected from a Capra film, the production values are outstanding, and the directing elegantly simple. It's not flashy, but is remarkably effective in getting its message across without beating you over the head with it. Though just a click over two hours, the story never drags, pushing forward at an agreeable pace. As mentioned above, the cast is uniformly excellent. Too bad this film was all but forgotten for many years, the least known Tracy/Hepburn pairing. Like Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, State Of The Union remains relevant to this very day, offering a timeless commentary on the nature of politics and the dangers of losing touch with your morals when getting too deeply involved, all while remaining entertaining throughout. 

Disc Presentation
Color me surprised. On the surface this appears to be a budget release, pushed out in order to finally get the film on the market. With sparse packaging and priced to buy, there was no reason to expect good quality. Looks can be deceiving, though. This is a fine print, much better than one would initially expect. The picture is crisp and clean, with lots of subtlety in the rich black and white picture. Things are bright when they need to be, and black when they need to be. Quite strong. The audio fares about as well. It's nothing special - it's an old mono track, after all - but it's always clear, punchy where it needs to be and understated where it needs to be. Solid. 

Disc Extras
Sadly, this is a painfully bare bones release. Considering the weight of the two stars in the legendary Tracy/Hepburn pairing, as well as the remarkable career of Frank Capra, it cannot be argued that there is little potential for bonus material. There couldn't BE any more potential. A retrospective on the Tracy/Hepburn pairing, a short piece on Capra, a commentary track by a film scholar. ANYTHING to compliment all the cinematic power here. It's easy to overlook a lack of extras when it comes to your average film, but we're talking about Frank Capra, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Very disappointing and a missed opportunity. 

The Bottom Line
With the talent on display here, it would have been really hard for State Of The Union to not be a winner. While it does not rise to the level of Capra's earlier Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, this film has a lot of heart, taking us on an entertaining ride while a man discovers what it means to maintain his integrity in the world of politics, and while a woman remembers why she believed in him in the first place. Recommended for fans of 1940s and 1950s cinema.