Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Robert Penn Warren, All the King's Men is a "roman a clef" inspired by the career of Louisiana governor Huey Long. Broderick Crawford won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Willie Stark, a backwoods Southern lawyer who wins the hearts of his constituents by bucking the corrupt state government. Journalist John Ireland is impressed by Willie's seeming sincerity, and aids Stark on the road to political power. Once he's reached the governor's mansion, however, Willie proves himself to be as dishonest and despotic as the crooks whom he's replaced. He also cheats shamelessly on his wife with both campaign manager Mercedes McCambridge (another Oscar winner) and with Joanne Dru, the sister of idealistic doctor Sheppard Strudwick. Fiercely protective of his power, Willie organizes a fascistic police force and arranges for "accidents" to befall those who oppose him; even so, he retains the love of the voters by lowering the poverty level, improving the school system, and financing building projects. Even when Willie all but orchestrates the suicide of Dru's uncle, a highly respected judge (Raymond Greenleaf), those closest to him are unable to escape his power and the charismatic hold he has over people. It looks as though the White House is the next step in Willie's career after he beats an attempt to impeach him--but he is done in by one of the people he's stepped on. As his life slowly ebbs away, Stark moans "It coulda been....whole world...Willie Stark." Stockton, California stands in for the unnamed state capitol where most of the film's action occurs. In addition to its Oscars for Crawford and McCambridge, All The King's Men won the "best picture" prize. Warren's novel would later be adapted into a stage play, a TV special, and even an opera.