The Senator Was Indiscreet Ending Explained: A bumbling, long-winded and crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen. Directed by George S. Kaufman, this 1947 comedy film stars William Powell (Senator Melvin G. Ashton), alongside Ella Raines as Poppy McNaughton, Peter Lind Hayes as Lew Gibson, Arleen Whelan as Valerie Shepherd. With a 6.2/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.

What Happens at the End of The Senator Was Indiscreet?

A bumbling, long-winded and crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen.

How Does William Powell (Senator Melvin G. Ashton)'s Story End?

  • William Powell: William Powell's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
  • Ella Raines (Poppy McNaughton): Ella Raines's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Peter Lind Hayes (Lew Gibson): Peter Lind Hayes's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Senator Was Indiscreet Mean?

The Senator Was Indiscreet's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving William Powell may feel rushed. George S. Kaufman's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.