The Hucksters (1947)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Blistering performances.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Gable's a commanding presence and appears in about every scene. His ad-man character Victor Norman is none too likable, but that's the way it should be, given the shark tank he's swimming in. I found the first part rather tedious as Victor bounces around socially and professionally to no particular purpose. The second part, however, picks up noticeably as the plot thickens. Vic's a self-assured man looking to make big money in advertising, but has his own uncompromising ideas on what sells. Thus, he's either a man of principle capable of better values, or a mercenary man who will only reluctantly sell out. Which of the two wins out emerges as the plot's crux. Of course, being Gable he has to have an active love life, and that means deciding between the gentile Kay (Kerr) or the vibrant Jean (Gardner). Frankly, Kerr's given a basically one- dimensional role that doesn't hold much interest. I can see why she was afraid Gardner would steal the picture (IMDB). The movie's satirical part emerges with Greenstreet's portrayal of the caricatured soap kingpin Evan Evans. He presides over Beautee Soap's advertising interests like a gelatinous cretin, spitting on the table, tossing hats out the window, and dumping water on hapless underlings. It's here that the film makes a jolting statement about the industry, given Evans' unchallenged authority. At the same time, a reckoning between him and Gable's Norman shapes up as inevitable. All in all, the movie stands now as something of a curiosity, with lessons about commercialism that I expect still stand, whether radio, TV, or internet streaming.

"The Hucksters" is an unusual combination of film genres, each with its own subplot woven expertly into the film. Based on a novel of the same name by Frederic Wakeman, this film is a biting critique of the advertising world. It is also a story about a returning war veteran who has a new sense of ethics since his war experience. It's a story about a young English war widow of an American officer who settles in New York with her two young children. It's not a romance, but a deep love story between the two. It's a story about fresh starts for people after the war. It's about big business, workaholics, tyranny and fear. And, it's about discerning values in life. It's a drama, love story and comedy of unequal proportions that mesh perfectly.All of these things come together in a brilliant story and screenplay. The direction, editing and technical production are superb. And, I can't imagine a cast that would be any better, or even as excellent overall. The main supporting cast are all lead actors in their own right.The story takes place mostly in New York, with a short stint in California. The time is early 1946 – several months after the end of World War II. Clark Gable is Victor Norman who has just returned to civilian life after the war. He had served four years in the Army, the last several months in the occupation forces in Germany following the May 8 end of the war in Europe. We know he was a captain by his uniform that the hotel valet mistakenly had pressed along with his civilian suit. The time is further verified by a letter that is read later in the film.Adolph Menjou is Mr. Kimberly, the head of the ad agency Vic hopes will hire him, "so long as it pays $25,000 a year to begin, with a promise of more … much more." Kimberly, his number two man, Cooke (played by Richard Gaines) and the whole agency staff are nervous, worried, on edge and upset most of the time. They live in fear of the company's largest client, Evan Llewellyn Evans played masterfully by Sydney Greenstreet. I have to say that of all the roles Greenstreet played, I enjoyed and liked his characters for who and what they were. But his Evan Evans is such an unlikeable and disgusting character. What a performance he gives. Deborah Kerr made her American film debut in "The Hucksters," and she too was superb as the widow, Kay Dorrance. Kerr already had an impressive list of roles behind her in British films, so she wasn't unknown to American moviegoers. The rest of the cast are superb in their supporting roles. Edward Arnold is Dave Lash, Ava Gardner is Jean Ogilvie, Keenan Wynn is Buddy Hare, and Gloria Holden is Mrs. Kimberly. Several other players have fine small parts. This all sets the stage for the story. It all comes out clearly in the first few minutes of the film, along with some good humor. But to tell how the story plays out from there would take away from its enjoyment for those who haven't seen it the first time. Suffice to say that this is a superb movie with an interesting combination of plots; and with a cast that is sure to entertain and please any audience. The year 1947 was a very good year for movies, and a number of social issue films were up for Academy Awards, along with a range of other good movies. "Gentleman's Agreement," was an excellent film starring Gregory Peck and it won best picture. I can't understand how "The Hucksters" didn't even receive a single nomination. The novel was a best seller, and the movie was a blockbuster at the box office. I think the story, screenplay, directing and supporting role of Greenstreet were especially worthy and equal to the quality of the films that received nominations in those fields. There is also one other thing that sets this film apart as satire. Most such films are filled with humor, and often have good doses of sarcasm, ridicule and parody. The satire in "The Hucksters" is much more subtle. While the film has humor, its drama, love scenes and other aspects tend to level it off so that the satire doesn't overpower the film. One note about the advertising business and the media. A reviewer whose comments I always enjoy surmised that this film was dated because radio was on the verge of being displaced by TV. Well, even when TV became the dominant media a few years later, it too thrived on advertising. While the mediums differed, the "huckstering" still went on. Radio "huckstering" today is much more by local markets; but it still gets a shot of national ads too. No, the world of huckstering has probably never been stronger, more obvious, and, I add, more tedious than it is today. I wonder if there still are tyrants like Evan Evans who think they know advertising better than the working professionals.

This film is very well done. But I have to say that as it has the 1946 date, and came out in 1947, it was done before the big 'purge' that started in 1948. After that year, Hollywood felt it had to knuckle under to the new political agendas of our nation, and could no longer lightly or even comically criticize big business tycoon, Madison Avenue or the new 'religion' that held making money was all.The performances of all the stars, from Gable to Gardner, but especially Kerr are exceptional; every possible nuance of their responses to each other is made very clear, and yet one cannot know in the course of the film just where it will be going. Keenan Wynn's small role is incredibly well done. I'd never seen it till it appeared recently on TCM. Bravo to them for screening it.

Very underrated. Not well known. Not shown often. Actually, this is the first time I came across this gem. Loved it, loved Clark Gable, loved Deborah Kerr. Clark was just adorable when he was talking to the women he was attracted to. The twinkle in his eye and kiss on his lips as he spoke on the phone to the previous night's paramour in his first scene was priceless. I fell in love with him AGAIN! I never realized the vastness of his facial expressions before. He looked serious and business-like when he was dealing with his advertising cronies and looked charming, fun loving and caring when he was "off he clock". There was no one more elegant, classy and sexy as Deborah Kerr. Nominated for 6 Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Awards but never winning, remarkable. Ava Gardner always a sultry beauty, her quick, sharp dialog showed the high level of good script writing. The film showed the falseness, conniving and corrupt side of advertising vs. personal integrity, ethical behavior and morality. Good life lesson film of the time rings true today, for me at least. This has become a NEW personal favorite.