Winchell

– The true story of the influential and controversial columnist, Walter Winchell...

Type:
Movie
Rating:
6.70 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 45 Minutes
Release Year:
1998
Winchell (1998)

The true story of the influential and controversial columnist, Walter Winchell.

Story Timeline:
Producing Country:
USA

Winchell (1998) - Trailer

Release Date:

21 Nov 1998

Language:

English

MPAA Content-Rating:
R – Restricted

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writer:

Herman Klurfeld (book), Scott Abbott (teleplay)

Main Actors:

Stanley Tucci, Glenne Headly, Paul Giamatti, Christopher Plummer

Plot:

Biopic of the controversial muckraking journalist Walter Winchell. After spending 12 years in vaudeville, Winchell began writing a column in the New York Mirror. Part gossip, part half-truths, the reporting focused on well-known or prominent individuals and their dalliances. Winchell grew in popularity, particularly when he started his weekly Sunday night radio show. His reporting became more political in the late 1930s when he railed against Hitler. His star began to fall in the 1950s when Josephine Baker was refused service at the Stork Club and Winchell allegedly refused to do anything about it. The end came with his support of Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his own rabid anti-communism. Following McCarthy's style, Winchell accused anyone who stood in his way of being a communist. Soon, he found himself facing lawsuits, a failed attempt at a television show and eventually, the cancellation of his radio show.

Awards:

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 15 nominations.

Production:

HBO Video

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
83%