Putney Swope
Directed by Robert Downey Sr.
After the CEO croaks during a boardroom meeting at a Madison Avenue ad agency, members trying to sabotage each other's chance of winning the top spot each vote for the token black guy, thereby electing Putney Swope. Swope swoops into action, firing them all and replacing them with armed radicals, soul brothers, and sexy red-hot mamas. Re-naming the agency "Truth and Soul," Putney sets about revolutionizing the corporate world of advertising, banning the marketing of products such as cigarettes, alcohol and violent toys. The agency produces raucous, kooky TV spots - offensive, humorous, and, at first, wildly successful. But can "Truth and Soul" last in advertising and within Putney himself? This film by Robert Downey Sr. stars Stan Gottlieb, Allen Garfield and Arnold Johnson.
After the CEO croaks during a boardroom meeting , members trying to sabotage each other's chance of winning the top spot each vote for the token black guy, thereby electing Putney Swope. Starring Stan Gottlieb, Allen Garfield and Arnold Johnson.
Cast: Stan Gottlieb, Allen Garfield, Archie Russell, Bert Lawrence, Arnold Johnson
Member Reviews
Mindblowing. Clever, astute, surprising, and very subversive. The film is of its time, but still feels very relevant and prescient, unfortunately.
While it's clear this is meant to be a surreal sendup of the corrupting influence of corporate culture that doesn't care who it offends, the degree of both racism and outrageous sexism the sophomoric script boasts makes it a period piece worth skipping. More than a bit nauseating.