Meet John Doe (1941)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Richard Connell (story) and
Robert Presnell Sr. (story) ...

Release Date:

3 May 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Reporter | Publisher | Media | Unemployment

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Frank Capra's 'Meet John Doe' (USA) (complete title)
John Doe, Dynamite (UK)

Runtime:

USA:122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:Btl | Brazil:14

Company:

Frank Capra Productions

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Governor sits, the ear piece of his glasses changes position between shots.

Quotes:

Henry Connel: Listen. If that guys lays an egg by getting something out of it, I'm getting a Jane Doe ready.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: Meet John Doe (#4.14)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

ODE TO JOY

Powerful, Involving Story - Maybe Capra's Best

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.