From ugly illustrations of back-room spittoon politics to wild illuminations of howling political mobs, it catches the dim but dreadful aspect of ignorance and greed when played upon by theatrics, eloquence and bluff. It visions the vulgar spellbinders and political hypocrites for what they are and it looks on extreme provincialism with a candid and pessimistic eye.

The rise and fall of a backwoods political messiah, and the mark, he left on the American scene, is given graphic celluloid treatment in “All the King’s Men.” It is a picture to stir talk and controversy, factors that won’t hurt its chances, but regardless of its boxoffice fate, it is a film that vividly impresses, with dramatic sureness the chicanery of politics as have been practiced in the past and may crop up again.