Slattery's People
Slattery's People is a 1964-1965 American television series about local politics starring Richard Crenna as title character James Slattery, a state legislator, co-starring Ed Asner and Tol Avery, and featuring Carroll O'Connor and Warren Oates in a couple of episodes each. James E. Moser was executive producer. The program, telecast on CBS, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Slattery's People is mainly notable for having been one of the few American television series spotlighting the travails of local politicians, a topic that other programs of the period mainly avoided. Many television critics highly praised the series. Many politicians also approved of the program. U.S. Representative James C. Corman said in a Congressional Record statement on September 30, 1964, “I am pleased that they have taken the high road to show a legislator’s life, and have not pandered to sensationalism or unreality to stimulate an audience following.” Moser's script for the pilot was printed as an appendix in Teleplay; an introduction to television writing by Coles Trapnell. Television composer Nathan Scott wrote the theme music for Slattery's People.
Insights
Plot Summary
The series follows James Slattery, a junior senator from California, as he navigates the complex and often morally ambiguous world of politics. Each episode typically presents a new dilemma or crisis that Slattery must confront, often forcing him to make difficult choices that test his ideals and integrity. The show delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by a politician striving to do good in a system rife with compromise and corruption.
Critical Reception
Slattery's People was critically acclaimed during its initial run for its intelligent and mature portrayal of political life, earning praise for its writing and performances. While it achieved a devoted following, its challenging themes and focus on complex moral issues limited its broad audience appeal, leading to a relatively short but impactful run. It is often cited as one of the more sophisticated and realistic depictions of American politics on television during its era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its realistic and often gritty depiction of the political landscape.
- Applauded for strong performances, particularly from lead Richard Crenna.
- Noted for tackling complex moral and ethical dilemmas faced by politicians.
Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available in a summarized format for this historical program.
Fun Fact
The series was notable for its intelligent and often cynical portrayal of politics, which was quite progressive for television in the mid-1960s, and it tackled controversial topics for the time.
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