Kevin McCarthy and John Henry Faulk. Tracy received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination for repeating the role of Hockstader that he had originated on stage. Faulk was a Texas-based radio personality who was blacklisted during the 1950s and won a lawsuit that helped restore his reputation. Kevin McCarthy was a cousin of Eugene McCarthy, who became a presidential contender in 1968. Production It was Ebersol's only film and he does not speak. It was the first American film to feature the word homosexual. Reception Bosley Crowther's review of the film in The New York Times cited William R. Ebersol in the role of Governor John Merwin as one of those who "stand out in a cast that is notable for its authenticity". The film has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 5 reviews. Ben Cosgrove of Time said, "Considering how ruthless the film is in dissecting the amoral machinations employed in virtually any national political endeavor, The Best Man is remarkable not for its scorn or its misanthropy, but for the even-handedness of its vision." Critic John Simon described The Best Man as "impure hokum". See also List of American films of 1964 References External links The Best Man at TV Guide (cut and heavily revised version of 1987 write-up originally published in The Motion Picture Guide) 1964 films 1960s political drama films American black-and-white films American political drama films Films about elections Films about fictional presidents of the United States American films based on plays Films based on works by Gore Vidal Films directed by Franklin J. Schaffner Films set in 1964 Films set in Los Angeles Films with screenplays by Gore Vidal United Artists films United States presidential nominating conventions in fiction 1964 drama films 1960s English-language films 1960s American films