The Hucksters

1947

1h 55m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

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Drama

Romance

Comedy

A World War II veteran wants to return to advertising on his own terms, but finds it difficult to be successful and maintain his integrity.

Directors

Jack Conway

Writers

George Wells(adaptation by)

Frederic Wakeman(novel by)

Luther Davis(screenplay by)

Stars

Clark Gable

Deborah Kerr

Sydney Greenstreet

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Victor Albee Norman

Kay Dorrance

Evan Llewellyn Evans

Mr. Kimberly

Jean Ogilvie

Buddy Hare

David 'Dave' Lash

Mr. Glass, Valet

Cooke

Max Herman

Georgie Gaver

Michael Michaelson

Mrs. Kimberly

Betty - Switchboard Operator

Kathryn Card

Miss Regina Kennedy

Lillian Bronson

Miss Hammer - Secretary

Vera Marshe

Gloria, West Coast Secretary

Ralph Bunker

Allison

Directors

Jack Conway

Writers

George Wells(adaptation by)

Frederic Wakeman(novel by)

Luther Davis(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Clark Gable ("Victor Norman") returns from WWII to rekindle his career in advertising. His cunning plan involves the glamorous war widow Deborah Kerr ("Kay"), nervous old ad agency boss "Mr. Kimberly" (Adoplhe Menjou), some considerable perspicacity and a whole load of soap. The latter element is provided by the wonderfully odious "Evan Llewellyn Evans" (Sydney Greenstreet,) the shrewd, but ghastly, owner of the most popular brand of beauty soap for whom Gable engages Kerr to star in an advertisement. Much to everyone's surprise, the entrepreneur rather likes the end product and "Norman" looks like his new, highly paid, career is set fair. Meantime, he has completely fallen for "Kay", but his methods of courtship lack, shall we say, finesse or style! Will he get the big job and/or the girl? Does he even want the big job an/or the girl? Wakeman's novel sets up the shallowness of the advertising industry for a good kicking: it's manipulation of those it considers the "sheep" (i.e us) to buy whatever rehashed nonsense they choose to offer us, is presented in a frequently quite comical - certainly quite cynical - fashion, with Greenstreet superb as the thoroughly unpleasant boss surrounded by his band of acolytes calling out "check" when he seeks their nominal agreement for his decisions. Jack Conway let's the star own the film - the dialogue is quickly delivered; and there is the merest hint of chemistry between him and his new to Hollywood co-star, who could have been doing with a little more substance to her part. Edward Arnold chips in well too, and there is an early outing for keenan Wynn as "Buddy Hare"- the kind of comic that has me reaching for my shotgun! It's a bit on the long side, the story runs out of steam a bit - but its still well worth watching.

Geronimo196707 Jul, 2022