Putney Swope

1969, dir Robert Downey Sr. w/Arnold Johnson, Stan Gottlieb, Allen Garfield, 84 min, DCP 

An unforgettable late-’60s counterculture masterpiece, Robert Downey Sr.’s PUTNEY SWOPE remains a vital provocation on race, pop culture and America. Putney Swope, the only African-American exec at his ad firm, is unexpectedly elected its president and turns the industry on its ear through a series of outrageous, taboo-busting TV commercials (strewn throughout the film like comedic landmines.) As Swope becomes the Generalissimo of Madison Avenue, Downey takes no prisoners and skewers the entire political spectrum. Essential viewing – especially in this new restoration by The Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation with funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation! – AGFA