State of the Union

Released Apr 30, 1948

2h 4m

Comedy

Drama

List

80%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Aircraft tycoon Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is goaded into running for president by his politically ambitious longtime girlfriend, newspaper publisher Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury). At the suggestion of unscrupulous campaign manager Spike McManus (Van Johnson), Matthews reunites with his long-estranged wife, Mary (Katharine Hepburn), for the sake of appearances. But when the idealistic Mary learns of Kay's behind-the-scenes role, it throws the entire campaign into turmoil.

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Dan Callahan

Slant Magazine

The shock of State of the Union, Capra's last movie in a political vein, is its technical sloppiness.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 23, 2006

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

It's a pleasure to watch because of the talent on display-and, this is me so let's be real, because its climactic scene is about the joys of public self-abasement.

Mar 3, 2019

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

sassy, sparky, hilarious

Rated: 4/5

Apr 20, 2008

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2005

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

So-so political comedy reflects lesser work by all.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 2, 2005

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Audience Member

especially during this time in our nation's history everyone should watch this movie and listen very very carefully. It draws quite a few parallels to what is actually happening here in the u.s. today. It gives us a clear indication of the paths we should all, as Americans, be seeking today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best comedy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

ashley h

State of the Union is an excellent film. It is about an industrialist is urged to run for President. Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, and Angela Lansbury give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. Frank Capra did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of humor and drama. State of the Union is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

GOP and Dem Debates? Done! This State of the Union is more fun. Hepburn, Tracy, Lansbury, Van Johnson, and Adolphe Menjou directed by Frank Capra.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

not the best hepburn/tracy pairing but not the worse either

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

s r

One that should be more popular. A gradual build up to a fantastic climax. Inspirational.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Frank Capra

Director

Spencer Tracy

Grant Matthews

Katharine Hepburn

Mary Matthews

Angela Lansbury

Kay Thorndyke

Van Johnson

"Spike" McManus

Adolphe Menjou

Jim Conover

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Synopsis

Aircraft tycoon Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is goaded into running for president by his politically ambitious longtime girlfriend, newspaper publisher Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury). At the suggestion of unscrupulous campaign manager Spike McManus (Van Johnson), Matthews reunites with his long-estranged wife, Mary (Katharine Hepburn), for the sake of appearances. But when the idealistic Mary learns of Kay's behind-the-scenes role, it throws the entire campaign into turmoil.

Director: Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra
Screenwriter: Anthony Veiller, Myles Connolly
Production Co: Liberty Films
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 30, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Runtime: 2h 4m

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