All the King's Men

American actor Sean Penn takes to the big screen this weekend in the new film version of Robert Penn Warren's earthy classic of wild southern politics, "All The King's Men."

It's the story of a charismatic poor-man's hero, demagogue, and constitution-busing near-dictator based on the real-life story of Louisiana's legendary Depression-era governor, senator, populist-turned-tyrant, Huey Long.

They called him "Kingfish," and before an assassin's bullet killed him in 1935, he seized more control over an American state than any politician before or since.

In a time when the boundaries of the national constitution are being tested, this is a story that turns heads, again.

Hear about "All the King's Men" and the cautionary tale of Louisiana's Huey Long.

Guests:

Richard D. White, Jr., author of "Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long"

Scott Bowles, USA Today film critic

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst