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Ada

1961, Movie, NR, 109 mins

Ada: Review

Here is an improbable tale, one that takes the noble prostitute myth to Olympian heights, and, defying all belief, has dynamic Hayward, a professional whore who has reformed, marry a newly-elected state governor, happy-go-lucky Martin. Balsam, his press agent, and Hyde-White, his mentor and chief advisor, are enemies of Hayward early on, cautioning Martin that her background might hurt his chances with the electorate (to say the least). Being a man of principle, he ignores them and goes on to govern with her at his side. Then, like some medieval drama, the film slices into various intrigues against Martin, all spawned by the power hungry Hyde-White, who forces the lieutenant governor to resign. When Martin refuses to follow his dictates, Hyde-White arranges for the governor's official car to have a near-fatal accident in which Martin is almost killed. Hayward takes over the reins of government, unleashing a series of reform bills which her husband had set in motion. Hyde-White and crooked police chief Meeker try to block her actions by publicizing a tape recording containing the ecstatic outpourings of one of Hayward's former assignations. Before the state capitol crashes in on her, Martin recovers and stands by her through the cruel publicity, thereby defeating their detractors. The viewer is hard put to accept such fairy tales and one wonders which state of the union would accept such an impossible couple to rule its destiny, and tolerate such shenanigans. For the sleepless, the mindless and those who have never cast their vote for anyone. Song: "May the Lord Bless You Real Good," (Warren Robert, Wally Fowler, sung by Martin). leave a comment