The Senator Was Indiscreet (1947) in Color — Starring William Powell & Ella Raines

The Senator Was Indiscreet (1947) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the wickedly funny political satire The Senator Was Indiscreet (1947) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by George S. Kaufman — the legendary Broadway playwright making his only directorial effort — this Universal-International production stars the incomparable William Powell as Senator Melvin G. Ashton, a charmingly dim-witted, spectacularly incompetent United States senator who has somehow survived decades in Washington through backslapping bonhomie, empty rhetoric, and the complete absence of any discernible talent, conviction, or intelligence. When Ashton decides to run for President — armed with a secret diary containing decades of embarrassing information about every powerful figure in Washington — the political establishment panics, and a hilarious, increasingly desperate campaign of containment begins. With sharp performances by Ella Raines and Peter Lind Hayes, this is one of the sharpest and funniest political comedies Hollywood ever produced. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

Senator Melvin G. Ashton (William Powell) has been a fixture of Washington life for decades. He is, by any objective measure, a complete mediocrity — a man whose legislative accomplishments are nonexistent, whose speeches are monuments to meaningless hot air, and whose primary political skill is an ability to glad-hand, back-slap, and tell jokes at fundraising dinners. He has survived politically because he threatens no one, offends no one, and has the good fortune to represent a state where nobody pays much attention to their senator.

But Ashton harbours a magnificent delusion: he believes he should be President. And he has, improbably, a weapon — a private diary he has kept for decades, recording the embarrassments, scandals, compromises, and hypocrisies of every major political figure in Washington. When Ashton’s cunning press agent Lew Gibson (Peter Lind Hayes) discovers the diary’s existence, he realises it is political dynamite. The mere threat of publication could force the party establishment to support Ashton’s presidential bid.

The Washington establishment — the party bosses, the power brokers, the rival senators, and the shadowy figures who actually run things — react with escalating alarm and increasingly comic desperation. The diary must be found and destroyed. But Ashton, cheerfully oblivious to the chaos he is causing, blunders through one absurd situation after another, protected by his own incompetence and the universal fear of what his diary contains. The arrival of an investigative reporter (Ella Raines) who is determined to get the real story adds romantic complications and genuine danger to the farce.

Cast & Crew

Director: George S. Kaufman
Stars: William Powell, in one of his finest comedy performances, creates a senator who is simultaneously infuriating and irresistible — a man so cheerfully, transparently mediocre that his very inadequacy becomes a kind of comic superpower. Powell’s legendary timing and urbane charm make Ashton’s delusions of grandeur hilariously endearing rather than contemptible. Ella Raines brings intelligence and wit to the reporter, and Peter Lind Hayes is sharp as the opportunistic press agent.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s Washington settings with era-accurate hues. The marble corridors of the Senate, the wood-panelled offices, the hotel suites where political deals are struck, and the elegant period costumes gain wonderful visual warmth through careful colour restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Released in 1947, The Senator Was Indiscreet was the only film directed by George S. Kaufman, the most celebrated Broadway playwright of his generation and co-author of such classics as You Can’t Take It with You and The Man Who Came to Dinner. The film’s savage satire of political mediocrity, empty rhetoric, and backroom dealing was considered so pointed that several real senators objected to its release. William Powell’s performance as the cheerfully incompetent senator remains one of the sharpest portrayals of political absurdity in American cinema. Through colorization, this brilliant political comedy is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — professionally restored frame-by-frame
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: 81 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play anywhere, keep forever
• Instant download: Yes — available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this really the only film George S. Kaufman directed?
A: Yes — the legendary Broadway playwright and wit, who shaped American comedy for three decades, directed this single film. His theatrical genius for timing, dialogue, and satirical observation translates brilliantly to the screen.

Q: Did real senators object to this film?
A: Yes — several senators were reportedly outraged by the film’s portrayal of political mediocrity and corruption, which they felt hit uncomfortably close to home.

Q: Is William Powell as funny as he is in The Thin Man?
A: Powell’s comic genius takes a different form here — instead of the sophisticated wit of Nick Charles, he creates a cheerfully oblivious fool whose very incompetence becomes hilariously dangerous. It is one of his finest comedic performances.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM protection?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free — you own it outright and can play it on any device forever.

Q: How do I receive the film after purchase?
A: You receive an instant download link immediately after payment. A backup copy of the link is also sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
• After the Thin Man (1936)
• My Man Godfrey (1936)
• Born Yesterday (1950)
• The Great McGinty (1940)