"Politics" is a good comedy and drama that stars Marie Dressler and Polly Moran. They are friends, Hattie Burns and Ivy Higgins, the latter having moved in to share lodging in Hattie's home. A fine supporting cast include Roscoe Ates as Ivy's husband, Peter; Karen Morley as Hattie's daughter, Myrtle; and William Bakewell as Myrtle's boyfriend, Benny Emerson.
Ivy and Peter go at one another all the time, and Hattie's a good-hearted soul who tries to keep peace among them. Ivy is active in the women's league and thinks she'll be a bigwig in politics one day. But, after a shooting at a speakeasy that kills the daughter of a friend, Hattie goes to a political rally for Mayor Tom Collins. He's a consummate glad-hander and pleasing talker who says all the right things. But when Hattie asks a question that leads to the connection between the mayor and the speakeasy owner, Hattie speaks her peace.
Another woman jumps on the opportunity to declare Hattie their candidate for mayor. Well, there's a little more to the story, including balking by the men and then the women turning the tables on them. But the new candidate for mayor promises to clean up the corruption in the city. The humor is mostly light, but it's a decent film that comes out with a good ending for all but the crooks and speakeasy
In the end, Hattie makes good on her promise and makes Ivy the new commissioner of garbage. Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Ivy Higgins, "Oh, put that foot where it belongs." Peter Higgins, "If I did, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a month."
Ivy Higgins, "It's those foreigners that come over here and ruin our city." Hattie Burns, "Is it?" Ivy, "Mm hmm." Hattie, "Well if it hadn't been for a foreigner named Columbus you'd never of met Peter." Ivy, "Well, I'd be better off if Columbus had stayed at home."
Ivy Higgins, "That the kind of a mayor we want - somebody who won't take anything."
Ivy Higgins, "Oh, Hattie, stop that. Do you wanna sit in the mayor's seat with red eyes?" Hattie Burns, "Can't I blubber if I'm happy?"
