Beau James
Beau James is a 1957 American drama film directed by Melville Shavelson and starring Bob Hope, Vera Miles, Paul Douglas and Alexis Smith. It is based on a non-fiction book of the same name by Gene Fowler. The film features Hope in a rare dramatic role as Jimmy Walker, the colorful but controversial Mayor of New York City from 1926–32. Plot
In 1925, New York's governor, Al Smith, persuades state senator James J. "Jimmy" Walker that the Democratic Party needs him to run for mayor of New York City. A concern on Jimmy's part is his estrangement from wife Allie, but he discovers that she is willing to go along with his political aims. Under the guidance of Chris Nolan, his political mentor, Jimmy wins the election in a landslide. He later learns, though, that Allie has no intention of renewing their relationship. She is simply satisfied to be the great city's first lady. A drunken Jimmy is found on a park bench by Betty Compton, who takes him home, not knowing who he is. She scolds him for his behavior upon learning Jimmy is the mayor, and a mutual attraction develops. He uses his political connections to help find her a job. Such favors and graft become a focal point in 1929's reelection campaign, when opponent Fiorello LaGuardia mocks the mayor publicly and questions the current administration's integrity. Jimmy also goes bankrupt as a result of the stock market crash, and Betty grows despondent over his inability or unwillingness to get Allie to consent to a divorce. Still popular with the public, Jimmy is reelected. He tries to bring Betty to his victory party, but it is against his colleagues' wishes. Tired of being hidden, Betty attempts suicide. She is hustled out of the country by Chris and impulsively marries a man who has been courting her. The charges against Jimmy lead fellow Democrats to believe he could hurt Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential hopes for 1932. Jimmy admits to having accepted bribes and favors, claiming all successful politicians do. His popularity erodes. Spectators at a Yankee Stadium baseball game boo him for the first time. Jimmy offers his resignation as mayor in a speech from the field. He decides to leave New York, whereupon Betty, after a quick divorce, intends to join him, married or not. Cast
 Bob Hope as James J. Walker
 Vera Miles as Betty Compton
 Paul Douglas as Chris Nolan
 Alexis Smith as Allie Walker
 Darren McGavin as Charley Hand
 Joe Mantell as Bernie Williams
 Horace McMahon as Prosecutor
 Richard Shannon as Dick Jackson
 Willis Bouchey as Arthur Julian
 Sid Melton as Sid Nash
 George Jessel as himself
 Walter Catlett as Al Smith
 Jack Benny as himself (uncredited)
 Jimmy Durante as himself (uncredited)
 Dick Nelson as Franklin D. Roosevelt (uncredited)
 Joe Turkel as Reporter (uncredited)

Production

Beau James was the second of two major dramatic roles Hope ever attempted in his long film career, the first being The Seven Little Foys released two years earlier. Beau James also marked his final film for Paramount Pictures, ending a 20-year association with the studio that began with Hope's breakthrough role in The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938). American prints of this film are narrated by Walter Winchell; in Britain, the film was narrated by Alistair Cooke. One of the more memorable lines is when Walker is asked at a baseball game about a personal conduct scandal and replies: "My comment, and you can quote me, is I hope the Yankees win." Although Walker was actually the 97th mayor of New York, in a scene with reporters after his election, Hope claims he was the 100th. The film includes cameo musical appearances by Jimmy Durante and Jack Benny as themselves. This was the final film of veteran comic actor Walter Catlett. Stock music from composers Elmer Bernstein, Nelson Riddle, David Rose and Victor Young is used throughout. See also
 List of American films of 1957

References

External links 
 
 

1957 films
1957 drama films
American biographical drama films
American political drama films
Films based on non-fiction books
Films directed by Melville Shavelson
Films set in 1925
Films set in 1929
Films set in 1932
Films set in New York City
Paramount Pictures films
1950s English-language films
1950s American films