Putney Swope

_“I just think Downey’s one of our great American directors.”_— Paul Thomas Anderson

“Funny, sophomoric, brilliant, obscene, disjointed, marvelous, unintelligible and relevant. If anybody tries to improve it, they should be sentenced.” — Vincent Canby, New York Times

Assuming he is incapable of winning, all of the members of a prestigious Madison Avenue advertising firm accidentally vote to appoint the company’s only black executive, Putney Swope, as chairman of the board. His unexpected win behind him, Swope changes the company’s name to “Truth and Soul Inc,” fires nearly all of its elderly white employees, and focuses solely on creating subversive, outlandish, and shocking campaigns. As the company is catapulted to new heights of success, Swope draws the ire of the U.S. President, who declares him and his renegade staff a threat to national security!

One of the masterpieces of late ‘60s counterculture cinema, Robert Downey Sr.’s (GREASER’S PALACE) PUTNEY SWOPE remains a 100% vital cinematic satire on race, politics and pop culture. Featuring a supporting performance from character actor Allen Garfield (NASHVILLE) alongside a cameo from Mel Brooks, this scathing surrealist comedy is now available in a stunning 4K restoration thanks to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Film Foundation, and we’re proud to present it on Alamo on Demand in partnership with Vinegar Syndrome.