Kisses for My President
Encyclopedia
Kisses for My President is a 1964
comedy
directed by Curtis Bernhardt, starring Fred MacMurray
and Polly Bergen
. Leslie McCloud (Bergen) makes history when she is elected the first female President of the United States. However, her husband Thad McCloud (MacMurray) is less enthusiastic.
Immediately, the new President is too busy for her husband and family as she deals with a powerful opposition senator (Edward Andrews
), and a Central American dictator (Eli Wallach
}. Thad attempts to find something meaningful to do as the "first lady."
Much time is given to his chagrin at being assigned an ultra-feminine bedroom and office within the White House. It is clear that no one, especially Thad McCloud, has given any thought to how a President's husband might fit into the scheme of things.
Enter Doris Reid Weaver (Arlene Dahl
), Thad's former flame and now an international business woman. She wants Thad back -- and offers him a lucrative position in her company as bait.
Leslie has asked him to show visiting dictator Valdez around Washington, with disastrous results. To further complicate things, the first daughter is running around town with a very unsuitable boyfriend and using her position to get out of scrapes with the police. Son Peter has become a bully, using his Secret Service men for protection as he terrorizes everyone in his school -- including the principal.
The only solution, in 1964 of course, is for Leslie to discover that she is pregnant, and resign the presidency in order to devote herself full-time to her family.
1964 in film
The year 1964 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is released....
comedy
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Curtis Bernhardt, starring Fred MacMurray
Fred MacMurray
Frederick Martin "Fred" MacMurray was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a successful television series during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, from 1930 to the 1970s....
and Polly Bergen
Polly Bergen
Polly Bergen is an American actress, singer, and entrepreneur.-Career:Bergen appeared in many film roles, most notably in the original Cape Fear opposite Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum...
. Leslie McCloud (Bergen) makes history when she is elected the first female President of the United States. However, her husband Thad McCloud (MacMurray) is less enthusiastic.
Plot summary
The United States elects its first female President in the form of Leslie McCloud. She and her first gentleman, Thad, move into the White House with their daughter Gloria and son Peter.Immediately, the new President is too busy for her husband and family as she deals with a powerful opposition senator (Edward Andrews
Edward Andrews
Edward Andrews was an American actor, one of the most recognizable character actors on television and films between the 1950s and the 1980s...
), and a Central American dictator (Eli Wallach
Eli Wallach
Eli Herschel Wallach is an American film, television and stage actor, who gained fame in the late 1950s. For his performance in Baby Doll he won a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer and a Golden Globe nomination. One of his most famous roles is that of Tuco in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...
}. Thad attempts to find something meaningful to do as the "first lady."
Much time is given to his chagrin at being assigned an ultra-feminine bedroom and office within the White House. It is clear that no one, especially Thad McCloud, has given any thought to how a President's husband might fit into the scheme of things.
Enter Doris Reid Weaver (Arlene Dahl
Arlene Dahl
Arlene Carol Dahl is an American actress and former MGM contract star, who achieved notability during the 1950s. She is the mother of actor Lorenzo Lamas.-Early years:...
), Thad's former flame and now an international business woman. She wants Thad back -- and offers him a lucrative position in her company as bait.
Leslie has asked him to show visiting dictator Valdez around Washington, with disastrous results. To further complicate things, the first daughter is running around town with a very unsuitable boyfriend and using her position to get out of scrapes with the police. Son Peter has become a bully, using his Secret Service men for protection as he terrorizes everyone in his school -- including the principal.
The only solution, in 1964 of course, is for Leslie to discover that she is pregnant, and resign the presidency in order to devote herself full-time to her family.
Reaction
Bergen portrays a self-assured, in control, and intelligent woman who does not hesitate to stand up for herself or the office she holds. The New York Times review, however, called the film "corny".Cast
- Fred MacMurrayFred MacMurrayFrederick Martin "Fred" MacMurray was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a successful television series during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, from 1930 to the 1970s....
as Thad McCloud - Polly BergenPolly BergenPolly Bergen is an American actress, singer, and entrepreneur.-Career:Bergen appeared in many film roles, most notably in the original Cape Fear opposite Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum...
as U.S. President Leslie McCloud - Eli WallachEli WallachEli Herschel Wallach is an American film, television and stage actor, who gained fame in the late 1950s. For his performance in Baby Doll he won a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer and a Golden Globe nomination. One of his most famous roles is that of Tuco in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...
as Valdez - Arlene DahlArlene DahlArlene Carol Dahl is an American actress and former MGM contract star, who achieved notability during the 1950s. She is the mother of actor Lorenzo Lamas.-Early years:...
as Doris Reid Weaver - Edward AndrewsEdward AndrewsEdward Andrews was an American actor, one of the most recognizable character actors on television and films between the 1950s and the 1980s...
as Sen. Walsh - Donald May as Secret Service Agent John O'Connor
- Harry Holcombe as Vice President Bill Richards
- Ahna CapriAhna CapriAnna Marie Nanasi, better known by her professional name Ahna Capri was Budapest, Hungary-born American film and television actress best known for her role as Tania in the classic martial-arts movie Enter the Dragon.Capri started her career as a child actress, appearing on such series as Father...
as Gloria McCloud (as Anna Capri) - Ronnie DapoRonnie DapoRonnie Dapo is an American former child actor who appeared in supporting roles in such television series as ABC's Room for One More and CBS's The New Phil Silvers Show .-Acting career:...
as Peter McCloud - Richard St. John as Jackson
- Bill Walker as Joseph
- Adrienne Marden as Miss Higgins
- Wilbert G. Nuttycombe as Musician
- Norma VardenNorma VardenNorma Varden was an English actress with a long film career in Hollywood.Born in London, the daughter of a retired sea-captain, Varden was a child prodigy. She trained as a concert pianist in Paris and performed in England before deciding to take up acting...
as Miss Dinsendorff - Sig RumanSig RumanSig Ruman was a German-American actor known for his comic portrayals of pompous villains.-Life and career:...
as Russian Ambassator - John BannerJohn BannerJohn Banner , born Johann Banner, was an American film and television actor, who was born and died in Vienna, Austria....
as Soviet Ambassador - Jon LormerJon LormerJon Lormier was an American actor.Born as Jonathan Lormier, he appeared in three separate roles in Star Trek: The Original Series: as Dr...
as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - Eleanor AudleyEleanor AudleyEleanor Audley was an American actress who was a familiar radio and animation voice, in addition to her TV and film roles...
as Principal Osgood