The Farmer's Daughter (1947)

Director:

H.C. Potter

Writers:

Hella Wuolijoki (play)
Allen Rivkin (writer) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

A Gal Who Really Goes To Town !

Plot:

Katie Holstrom leaves the farm to become a nurse, but is sidetracked into domestic service, romance, and politics.

Plot Keywords:

Politics | Congressman | Farmers Daughter | Beautiful Woman | Election

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Loretta Young	...	Katrin Holstrom
Joseph Cotten	...	Glenn Morley
Ethel Barrymore	...	Agatha Morley
Charles Bickford	...	Joseph Clancy
Rose Hobart	...	Virginia Thatcher
Rhys Williams	...	Adolph Petree
Harry Davenport	...	Agatha's Doctor
Tom Powers	...	Hy Nordick
William Harrigan	...	Ward Hughes
Lex Barker	...	Olaf Holstrom
Harry Shannon	...	Mr. Holstrom
Keith Andes	...	Sven Holstrom
Thurston Hall	...	Wilbur Johnson
Art Baker	...	Anders Finley
Don Beddoe	...	Round-faced Campaign Reporter

Also Known As:

Katie for Congress (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Swedish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:S | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Ebell Theater - 4401 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Dore Schary Productions

Trivia:

On a cold day, Katrin prepares a drink called glogg for Glenn. Glogg is usually made from claret, aquavit, sugar, cloves, cardamom, orange peel, and raisins. It is ignited before being served.

Quotes:

Glenn Morley: She doesn't know anything about politics. How can she, I ask you, be expected to give of such things as the minimum wage bill, the full employment bill, the Missouri Valley, the Columbia Valley authorities amendments, the permanent MBPC, atomic bomb control, poll tax, national... , well a hundred other things.
Katrin Holstrom: Can you?
Glenn Morley: That's beside the point. I am already a congressman.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Golden Girls: Questions and Answers (#7.17)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Row, Row, Row

Poignant story

Not having seen the movie before, it was a complete surprise to watch it on cable the other night. This film shows that little, if nothing, ever changes in the world of politics. In fact, it could well be compared to this year's presidential contest. The only thing that has changed from the time where this film was done is that in order to win an election in this country, the candidate must be independently wealthy, or have benefactors that are willing to put up the money in exchange of favors down the line, or not be able to run at all.

H. C. Potter's film shows us a slice of what on the surface was an ideal time in America during the 40s, but deep down, this film speaks a lot of what was wrong then, in a subtle way.

Young Katrin Holstrom arrives in Capital City wanting to be a nurse. She has to change plans because when she arrives in the city, she has no money because an unscrupulous man had swindled her out of it. She begins working as a maid at the Morley's mansion. They are the local big name in politics. Mrs. Morley makes candidates, or destroys them. Her own son, Glenn is a Congressman.

All this atmosphere contributes to the growth of Katrin, or Katie, as she is called. She takes an interest in politics and she shows that she can speak and ask the right questions the candidates don't want to answer. The movie shows the dirty side of campaigns, in general, as is the case of with what's happening in 2004 in America.

Loretta Young was perfect as Katrin Halstrom. In this film she out charms everyone that she comes in contact with. Joseph Cotten is as effective as she always was in whatever he appeared in. Ethel Barrymore is Agatha, the rich woman behind the political machine. Charles Bickford is also excellent as Joseph, the butler.

Most movies from that period are sadly dated, but this one keeps the ideals of democracy in check. Bravo to Dory Schary for bringing this movie to the screen.