John F. Kennedy rallies the crowd in PRIMARY

Later this month, we’re releasing The Kennedy Films of Robert Drew & Associates, a collection of landmark achievements in documentary filmmaking. The first in the set is Primary, which documents the 1960 presidential primary in Wisconsin and was shot on a camera engineered specifically by Drew and his team to allow for sync-sound recording, a feature that made the entire genre of cinema verité possible.

In one of the most famous shots in all of documentary history, Albert Maysles’s camera follows JFK into Milwaukee’s American Serb Hall (host tonight to a post-primary party for Republican candidate Ted Cruz). The scene documents the palpably intense level of adulation that Kennedy had already managed to attract, and which would carry him later that year to the highest office in the country.

[Psergiorivera]

That bird's eye view is something I've never seen before. Brilliant idea to follow right behind him as he makes his way thru the crowd. Astonishing.

[peterfranks]

His was a natural flow of charisma, charm and linguistic abilities that set him apart. Never seen before or since.

[williamlawson]

He was the man I understand why he was loved so much its because he had a special connection with people and and he had looks, brains, and money.I admire he a lot.

[williamlawson]

He was magic on and off camera my favorite president

[jmichaelhetu]

This movie is one of my favorites in the Criterion Collection. Thanks for putting up this clip!

[nobad]

What a time to be alive. The Mad Men era in real life.

[jamespevec]

their response was so organic! I wish I was there 🙂

[First_Houser]

Wow the way of filming is great! As if i would follow right after him and Jackie ❤

[seanramsdell]

This film is on the National Film Registry.

[vestibulate]

There seemed to be no physical barrier of protection, no bodyguards- nothing to prevent an opportunistic attempt on his life. And at the time this observation would have appeared completely out of place. Incidentally, the crowd is singing a specialty version of Van Heusen and Cahn's "High Hopes" with lyrics adapted for the Kennedy campaign. The Chicago Outfit aka Mafia had been enlisted by Joseph P. Kennedy to perform certain tasks on behalf of his son's drive to the White House. One such undertaking was to send gangland representatives into West Virginia during the primary season. Since the Outfit controlled the jukebox industry in the U.S., it proved no difficult task to persuade each tavern and restaurant owner in the state to feature Frank Sinatra's recording of the tune on constant rotation. People heard it wherever they went and were well able to sing chorus and verse when it came time to attend these rallies.

[ciroalb]

look how the public were dressed then vs. now

[thebatcave]

He was was it..u can't buy in or sell it..he was total package.

[wolfman-nzor]

What a great leader proud to call him president.

[vincentlussier]

With more than a thousand people there he was the most important and popular man there. The impact he had on people was enormous. No president like that will ever be seen again !

[Bro-inzq]

Uno de los mejores planos que vi en mi vida.

[BennyMcGhee]

All the men are wearing coats and ties. I'm 41 and have never owned a suit in my life. I can't help but feel just a little low class watching this, but as the son of a preacher, I always equated dress clothes with church, which i hated having to attend three times a week. I also became phobic of public gatherings like this, even if it might result in my shaking hands with a presidential candidate, although in 2018, with the help of a THC edible, I attended a "Weird Al" Yankovic concert and had the pleasure of shaking his hand. No one at that show was wearing a coat and tie, Praise Christ.

[ezraleslie]

America ne'er were america, to me.

[folarinadejube]

Only dignified people like ds should occupy d White House. Not someone who openly call fellow citizens idiot, crazy and can't even relate well with d press.