The Great Man (1956)

Plot: A reporter preparing a eulogy for a beloved radio commentator, finds a despicable egomaniac beneath the public persona.

The "Great Man" is  sorta of a 2nd rate Citizen Kane.  A truth-seeking reporter (Jose Ferrer) finds that beloved, recently deceased, radio figure "Herb Fuller" - isn't the patriotic, likable, salt-of-the-earth guy we were lead to believe.  Like Andy Griffith in "A Face in the Crowd", Fuller is supposedly modeled on Arthur Godrey, a popular 1950s Radio/TV personality who seems to have scared the crap out of liberal intellectuals.  Reading between the film frames, it seems Liberals were afraid that some kind of smiley, "average joe" personality (aka Godfrey) could be used by "Big Business" to sell 1950s conservatism and capitalism to all the those 'yokels' in heartland.  Hence, the push back.

Viewed simply as a movie, "The Great Man"  has some good points.  The supporting cast is excellent. Kennan Wynn shines as Fuller's slimy "what's in it for me" agent,  Dean Jagger is good as the smooth amoral Radio Network President, and Julie London is extremely sexy as the extremely drunk, Widow Fuller.  Further, the script is full of good, cynical lines reminiscent of "Sweet Smell of Success".

However, "The Great Man" never really takes off.  Partly, its due to Jose Ferrer - who despite his great voice - is too wooden and lacking in charisma. But mostly its the predictable, and low budget story.  People talk about "Herb Fuller" but we never see him & we know from the start he's a bad apple.  As a result, the narrative lacks drive and suspense. Think 'Citizen Kane',  without the great photography or any dialog by Charles Foster Kane.

Summary:  "The Great Man" isn't great - but its a forgotten picture worth a watch - if only for the 50s atmosphere and the supporting actors. Rating **1/2