WUSA is a 1970 American drama film, directed by Stuart Rosenberg. It was written by Robert Stone, based on his novel A Hall of Mirrors. The story involves a radio station in New Orleans with the eponymous call sign which is apparently involved in a right-wing conspiracy. It culminates with a riot and stampede at a patriotic pep-rally when an assassin on a catwalk opens fire.
The cast included Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Perkins, Laurence Harvey, Cloris Leachman and Wayne Rogers.
Plot
Rheinhardt, a cynical drifter, gets a job as an announcer for right-wing radio station WUSA in New Orleans. Rheinhardt is content to parrot WUSA's reactionary editorial stance on the air, even if he does not agree with it. Rheinhardt finds his cynical detachment challenged by a lady friend, Geraldine, and by Rainey, a neighbor and troubled idealist who becomes aware of WUSA's sinister, hidden purpose. And when events start spinning out of control, even Rheinhardt finds he must take a stand.
Cast
- Paul Newman as Rheinhardt
- Joanne Woodward as Geraldine
- Anthony Perkins as Rainey
- Laurence Harvey as Farley
- Pat Hingle as Bingamon
- Don Gordon as Bogdanovich
- Michael Anderson, Jr. as Marvin
- Leigh French as Girl
- Bruce Cabot as King Wolyoe
- Cloris Leachman as Philomene
- Moses Gunn as Clotho
- Wayne Rogers as Minter
- Robert Quarry as Noonan
- Skip Young as Rep. Jimmy Snipe
- B.J. Mason as Roosevelt Berry
- Sahdji as Hollywood
- Geoffrey Edwards as Irving, Disc Jockey
- Hal Baylor as Shorty
- Clifton James as Speed, Sailor in Bar
- Tol Avery as Senator
- Paul Hampton as Rusty Fargo
- Jerry Catron as Sidewinder Bates
- Geraldine West as First Matron
- Lucille Benson as Second Matron
- Susan Batson as Teenage Girl
- Zara Cully as White Haired Woman
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- Percy Humphrey
- Willie Humphrey
- Jim Robinson
- Narvin Kimball
- Chester Zardis
- Dave Oxley
- Kristin Andersen as Playboy Bunny
- Jeff Barr as Man at Political Rally
- Jim Boles as Hot Dog Vendor
- Paul Bradley
- David Huddleston as Heavy Man
- Diane Ladd as Barmaid at Railroad Station
- Laird Stuart as Bobby
- Jesse Vint as Young Doctor
Reception
Anthony Perkins was nominated for best supporting actor of the year by the National Society of Film Critics.
Paul Newman called it "the most significant film I've ever made and the best."
Roger Greenspun of the New York Times said in his review: "If it were an ordinary bad movie (and it is a very bad movie), WUSA might, in spite of the distinguished names, and less distinguished presence, of its leading actors, be dismissed with no more than a nod to the tension between Rosenberg's ponderously emphatic direction, and Robert Stone's ponderously allusive screenplay. I suspect Stone wins out, for WUSA feels more like poor theater than poor moviemakingâ€"so, that it continually suggests a failed version of The Balcony, even though it strives to fall short of The Manchurian Candidate. ... Despite its obsession with collecting evidence, and its handy school of pseudo-documentary, WUSA fights unreal battles with an unseen enemy. Lacking either the grace of art of the vitality of guerrilla theater, it can offer only the coarsest nourishmentâ€"and only to the elaborately self-deceived."
References
External links
- WUSA at the Internet Movie Database
- WUSA at the TCM Movie Database