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Meet John Doe (1941)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
3 May 1941 (USA) moreTagline:
ALL AMERICA WANTS TO MEET THE "MR. DEEDS" OF 1941! (original print media ad - all caps)Plot:
A man needing money agrees to impersonate a nonexistent person who said he'd be committing suicide as a protest, and a political movement begins. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. moreNewsDesk:
Red, White and Blues: Ten Bittersweet Patriotic Films(From IFC. 3 July 2008, 9:11 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Powerful, Involving Story - Maybe Capra's Best moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Gary Cooper | ... | Long John Willoughby - 'John Doe' | |
| Barbara Stanwyck | ... | Ann Mitchell | |
| Edward Arnold | ... | D. B. Norton | |
| Walter Brennan | ... | The Colonel | |
| Spring Byington | ... | Mrs. Mitchell | |
| James Gleason | ... | Henry Connell | |
| Gene Lockhart | ... | Mayor Lovett | |
| Rod La Rocque | ... | Ted Sheldon - Norton's Nephew | |
| Irving Bacon | ... | Beany | |
| Regis Toomey | ... | Bert Hansen - Soda Jerk | |
| J. Farrell MacDonald | ... | Sourpuss Smithers | |
| Warren Hymer | ... | Angelface - Bodyguard | |
| Harry Holman | ... | Mayor Hawkins | |
| Andrew Tombes | ... | Spencer of 'Daily Chronicle' | |
| Pierre Watkin | ... | Hammett - Political Boss |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
USA:122 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Frank Capra tested the film in different areas of the US with four different endings to determine which one to keep. In one, John Willoughby commits suicide. In another, Ann Mitchell persuades him not to leap from City Hall. Inspired by a letter signed "John Doe," Capra filmed a fifth and final ending in which Mitchell talks some sense into Willoughby and then faints into his arms. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When the Governor sits, the ear piece of his glasses changes position between shots. moreQuotes:
Henry Connel: Listen. If that guys lays an egg by getting something out of it, I'm getting a Jane Doe ready. moreMovie Connections:
Referenced in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: Meet John Doe (#4.14)" (1997) moreSoundtrack:
ODE TO JOY moreFAQ
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This was a very absorbing story and one of director Frank Capra's best efforts. There is some great acting in here, almost mesmerizing at times. The story is a typical Capra-esquire populist one in which the average man is elevated to high status, his worth and valued boosted in a cynical world.
Yes, it's a far-fetched story but it's fun to watch and has some powerful messages, leading with "Love thy neighbor." I was very impressed with Barbara Stanwyck's speech near the end, noting Jesus' words to that effect while pleading to Gary Cooper. By the way, having Cooper and Stanwyck as the leads isn't all bad, either! Adding actors like Walter Brennan, James Gleason and Spring Byington make it all the better.
Photography-wise, the film has an almost-eerie look to it in parts and is very interesting to view. I have yet to see this on DVD, but I plan to soon, I hope. Script- wise, it has a very good mixture of drama, comedy and romance. The story and the convincing actors all make it an involving experience and an emotional film.
As I said, I think this is one of Capra's best films, if not THE best.