State of the Union

State of the Union

Year: 1948

Runtime: 124 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Capra

ComedyDramaPolitics and human rightsRiveting political and presidential dramaShow All…

When a powerful industrialist is persuaded to launch a bid for the presidency, he discovers the campaign comes at a steep personal price. To secure the nomination he must navigate treacherous political maneuvering while confronting painful compromises that strain his marriage and test his convictions.

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Timeline & Setting – State of the Union (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of State of the Union (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1948

The narrative unfolds during the 1948 U.S. presidential campaign, a period of postwar optimism and political realignment. Prime-time media and newspapers shape public opinion, turning elections into national events. The film explores how ambition collides with democratic ideals amid a rapidly changing media landscape.

Location

Wichita, Detroit, Matthews home, United States

Set during the late 1940s in the United States, the story moves through campaign stops in cities like Wichita and Detroit and culminates in a nationwide broadcast from the Matthews home. The campaigns and media networks touch political nerves across the country. The Matthews home becomes the launchpad for a televised fireside chat that tests the candidates’ integrity.

🗽 American politics 🕰️ Postwar era

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:25

Main Characters – State of the Union (1948)

Meet the key characters of State of the Union (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mary Matthews (Katharine Hepburn)

Grant Matthews's estranged wife who publicly supports him despite knowing parts of the truth. She embodies moral restraint and political pragmatism, torn between personal love and public consequences. Her awareness of the manipulation around her shapes the campaign’s emotional core.

🎭 Drama 💼 Political 🕊️ Morality

Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy)

An idealistic candidate who becomes increasingly consumed by the pursuit of the presidency and by the influence behind him. His evolution from hopeful reformer to a man who confesses his compromises drives the film’s moral tension. He ultimately withdraws, seeking to redeem his earlier promises.

🎭 Drama 🗳️ Politics 🛡️ Integrity

Kay Thorndyke (Angela Lansbury)

A powerful newspaper magnate who seeks the presidency through strategic manipulation and control of information. She operates as the unseen force behind the campaign, using media influence to steer events and suppress threats to her plan.

🏛️ Media 🧭 Power 🔎 Control

Jim Conover (Adolphe Menjou)

A seasoned Republican strategist who orchestrates the campaign’s dirty work. He justifies manipulation as a necessary evil in pursuit of victory, representing the dark pragmatic side of political campaigning.

🧠 Strategy 🗡️ Manipulation 🗳️ Politics

Spike McManus (Van Johnson)

The campaign manager who blends showmanship with backroom deals. He grows emotionally attached to Mary and shows genuine care amid the chaos, while also enabling the broader political machine’s calculations.

🤝 Campaign 💬 Communication 💔 Compromise

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:25

Major Themes – State of the Union (1948)

Explore the central themes of State of the Union (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗳️ Power and Integrity

Grant Matthews starts with idealistic appeal but gradually yields to backroom pressures and deal-making. The story probes whether political power can be pursued without compromising personal values. Matthews’s confession and withdrawal embody a confrontation between ambition and integrity.

📰 Media Influence

Kay Thorndyke leverages her newspaper empire to steer the nomination, showing how media can shape political outcomes. The floods of telegrams and orchestrated speeches reveal the ways information can be manufactured for political ends. The film critiques the collision of press power with democratic process.

💔 Love and Betrayal

The affair between Matthews and Thorndyke complicates the bid for the presidency, highlighting personal dreams twisting public duty. Mary’s discovery of the extent of manipulation tests her loyalties and moral stance. Relationships become as consequential as policy in the climactic reveal.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:25

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Unlock the Full Story of State of the Union

Don't stop at just watching — explore State of the Union in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what State of the Union is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

State of the Union Summary

Read a complete plot summary of State of the Union, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

State of the Union Summary

State of the Union Timeline

Track the full timeline of State of the Union with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

State of the Union Timeline

More About State of the Union

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More About State of the Union

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State of the Union (1948) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

State of the Union (1948) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

State of the Union (1948) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow