Skip Content
U.S. Flag
  
  

The Russell Senate Office Building



Director Otto Preminger and Crew in the Senate Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building
Director Otto Preminger and Crew in the Senate Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building

The Senate Caucus Room is the institution's primary multipurpose room. This large space is decorated in the French classical style called ”Beaux-Arts.” The arched windows and elegant Corinthian columns are visible in the background of this scene behind the cameras.
Burgess Meredith in the Senate Caucus Room
Burgess Meredith in the Senate Caucus Room

Burgess Meredith portrayed Herbert Gelman, a former associate of Robert Leffingwell (Fonda), and an eyewitness to the nominee's alleged Communist ties.
Don Murray and Charles Laughton in the Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building
Don Murray and Charles Laughton in the Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building

Senators Brigham Anderson (Murray, left) and Seab Cooley (Laughton, right) discuss the nomination in the Caucus Room.
Don Murray, Henry Fonda, and Otto Preminger in the Senate Caucus Room, Russell Office Building
Don Murray, Henry Fonda, and Otto Preminger in the Senate Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building

This scene shows the action on both sides of the camera. Senator Brigham Anderson (Murray) sits across from the camera during filming, while Leffingwell (Fonda) and Otto Preminger observe from the right. In the background is one of the two large, carved, mahogany benches specifically built for the room in 1910.
Corridor, Russell Senate Office Building
Corridor, Russell Senate Office Building

Once the crew set up to film, it was nearly impossible to get through the corridors.
back to menu