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BOB HOPE PRESENTS THE CHRYSLER THEATRE: THE CANDIDATE (TV)

Summary

One in this filmed dramatic anthology series. In this program, a campaign manager, Parker Hite, awakens from a fitful sleep and learns that his candidate, Robert Cowley, has not yet arrived at the hotel. Parker calls his wife, Eleanor, fretting that he cannot "lose another one," though she questions if he even truly believes in Cowley's leadership abilities. Later, Parker continues searching for the candidate and tries to secure a last-minute newspaper interview for him, hoping that a flattering profile will sway a few more voters. Cowley's wife Joan then calls and explains that their 14-year-old daughter Martha has had a horseback riding accident, though Parker deduces that something else is amiss with the girl when Joan adds that she has summoned a psychiatrist. Frustrated, Parker prepares to meet with a group of delegates, aware that he still does not know Cowley's stance on certain budgetary issues, including the funding for certain water projects.

Despite his doubts, and the candidate's ongoing absence, Parker enthusiastically praises Cowley to the delegates, urging secretary Carol to keep quiet about Martha's troubles. He stalls for him when the delegates demand to meet Cowley in person, refusing to commit to supporting him without a face-to-face talk, and Parker quickly contacts Cowley's pollster Stuart Landsman, asking him to use "the machine" to determine how Martha's incident might impact voter numbers. He talks with a few more visitors, including a reporter who questions him about his involvement with Claude Anderson, a former presidential candidate who suffered an infamously painful defeat, though Parker defends him as an honorable public servant. He talks with Eleanor again, admitting that he is "drowning," and she reminds him to contact their son, D.J. Later, Parker visits Joan and learns that Cowley intends to stay by Martha's side despite his many scheduled caucus appearances, and press secretary Paul Carrington spars with Parker as he reminds him that his candidacy is "not a business." Joan makes her resentments plain, implying that Cowley is an unrepentant philanderer, and Parker frets over Cowley's still-unclear political positions as Paul attempts to rework his latest speech, wondering how he can "use" Joan and Martha to their political advantage.

Dr. Bross emerges and suggests that Martha should be hospitalized, intimating that she has suffered a nervous breakdown, and Stuart admits that polls have shown that having a mentally unwell daughter "hurts the image" of Cowley as a responsible father. Paul castigates Parker for being an unsuitable campaign manager, citing Anderson's "disastrous" loss, and declares that Cowley will do the right thing and remain by his daughter's side no matter what. Furious, Parker quits his position on the spot, stating that Cowley cannot win the nomination without his assistance. Back at the hotel, he tells his colleagues that they must "close up shop," as there is no point continuing their work without Cowley himself, and he angrily sends the impatient delegates away. When he calls Eleanor again, she informs him that he has forgotten to contact their son and has been neglecting the family in favor of his work for many years, hinting that she is finally through with his unreliable ways. Parker assures her that he has finally quit, however, and she notes that he has been "going through the motions" with no real passion for the work ever since Anderson's loss. Paul apologizes and urges Parker not to resign, announcing that Cowley is finally ready to get back to work, but Parker declares that he has no faith in Cowley as a candidate and cannot in good conscience endorse him, not even for a salary raise. He explains that he wishes to "feel again" and, after bantering with the switchboard girl, departs. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: December 6, 1963 8:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:47:11
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: B:73242
  • GENRE: Drama
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Politics; Campaign management
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1963-1967
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Dick Berg … Producer
  • Ron Roth … Associate Producer
  • Stuart Rosenberg … Director
  • Karl Miller … Writer
  • Eugene Burdick … Based on the story by
  • Benny Carter … Music by
  • Johnny Williams (see also: John Williams) … Theme Music by
  • Milton Berle … Cast, Parker Hite
  • Robert Webber … Cast, Stuart Landsman
  • J.D. Cannon … Cast, Paul Carrington
  • Dina Merrill … Cast, Joan Cowley
  • Ruth Rowan … Cast, Eleanor Hite
  • Hope Holiday … Cast, Carol Burlingame
  • Simon Scott … Cast, Dr. Bross
  • John McLiam … Cast, Owen Flynn
  • James Flavin … Cast, Shea
  • Blair Davies … Cast, Vanderveer
  • Isabelle Cooley … Cast, The 2nd Operator
  • Bernard Fein … Cast, Sid Marks
  • Jay Adler … Cast, John Menschner
  • Charles J. Conrad … Cast, Collins
  • Davis Roberts … Cast, Ben Atkinson
  • Peter Hobbs … Cast, Teacher
  • John Francis … Cast, The Waiter