The life of Robert Kennedy

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 15

The life of Robert Kennedy

“Robert Kennedy and His Times,” a portrait of the life of the former Attorney General, United States Senator and Presidential candidate, screens as a three-part mini-series beginning on Two this evening at 7.30. The production stars Brad Davis in the title role, Veronica Cartwright as Ethel Kennedy, Cliff De Young as John F. Kennedy, G. D. Spradlin as Lyndon B. Johnson, George Grizzard as John Seigenthaler, Harris. Yulin as Senator Joseph McCarthy, Mitchell Ryan as Robert McNamara, Joe Pantoliano as Ray Cohn, Jeffrey Tambor as Pierre Salinger, and Jack Warden as Joseph Kennedy, sen. Co-starring are Jordan Charney as Arthur M.

Schlesinger, jun., Danna Hansen as Lady Bird Johnson, Mimi Kennedy as Pat Kennedy, Dean Santoro as Fred Dutton, Charle Bateman as army General Carey, Juanin Clay as Jacqueline Kennedy, Dorothy Fielding as Jean Kennedy, Belita Moreno as Angie Novello, James Read as Teddy Kennedy, Dennis Redfield as Walter Sheridan, Alan Rosenberg as Jack Newfield, Hansford Rowe as Ron McMasters and Trey Wilson as Jimmy Hoffa. Based on the definitive biography by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Arthur M. Schlesinger, jun., the panoramic drama, filmed in Los Angeles, Hyannis Port, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City, begins in 1946.

In Boston, Bobby, aged 21, is campaigning to elect his brother, John, to Congress. During the campaign, Bobby meets Ethel Shakel, a young woman whom he will eventually marry. The mini-series concludes with the fatal shooting of Kennedy in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, after he achieved victory in the California Democratic primary during his bid for the Presidency. He was 42. ■ The story portrays Kennedy’s personal and professional life, from his initial willingness to stand in the shadow of his older brother, John, and upon John’s death, to undertake family leadership. He went on to develop aspira-

tions and undergo political transformations that were to make him one of the most compelling figures of this time. The mini-series will show the traumatic era in which Bobby Kennedy matured. The events of those times were to alter the young Kennedy’s political idealogy into one of deepening sensitivity to the many social injustices. The drama portrays Kennedy as a romantic and an idealist, a man with an abiding love for family. His love and devotion to his wife, Ethel, and their children provided him with sustained support. But the story also illustrated that he was politically indecisive at times,

prone to impatience, and ambitious. The dramatisation attributes his quest to capture • high political office to his conviction that it was the crucial implement for redeeming those whom society had abused or disenfranchised. Brad Davis (Robert Kennedy) won acclaim for his starring role in the mini-series “Chiefs.” He also appeared in “A Rumour of War” and ‘Sybil”. Off Broadway, he starred in “Entertaining Mr Sloane,” and his motion picture credits include "Chariots of Fire,” “A Small Circle of Friends,” and “Midnight Express.” Veronica Cartwright (Ethel Kennedy) was re-

cently seen in the motion picture, “The Right Stuff.” Her other theatrical films include “Alien,” “Nightmares” and “Inserts”. Her television credits include “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.” Cliff De Young (John Kennedy) was seen in such films as “Harry and Tonto,” “The Hunger” and “Independence Day.” His many television appearances include “The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case” and “Sunshine” and the mini-series “Master of the Game.” Ned Beatty (J. Edgar Hoover) has appeared in many motion pictures including “Nashville,” “Deliverance,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Toy.” On television, Beatty was seen in “The Execution of Private Slovik,” “The Marcus-Nelson Murders” and “A Woman Called Golda.” Beatrice Straight (Rose Kennedy) was seen on Broadway in “The Heiress” and “Everything in the ’ Garden.” Her films include “Poltergeist” and her Oscar-winning ’ performance in “Network.” On television, Straight was was seen in “Beacon Hill” and “The Dain Curse.” Jeffrey Tambor (Pierre Salinger) was seen on Broadway in “Sly Fox.” His motion pictures include “Under Pressure,” “Mr Mom” and "... And Justice for All.” He has also been seen in such television series as “Hill Street Blues” and “Three’s Company.”Jack Warden (Joseph Kennedy, sen) appeared in such motion pictures as “Twelve Angry Men,” “Heaven Can Wait” and “Death on the Nile.” On television, Warden received an Emmy Award for his performance in “Brian’s Song.”