Meet John Doe (1941) | |
| Director(s) | Frank Capra |
| Producer(s) | Frank Capra |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Christmas, Newspapers, Politics |
Featured Cast:
Meet John Doe Overview:
Meet John Doe (1941) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by Frank Capra and produced by Frank Capra.
The film was based on the short story A Reputation written by Richard Connell published in Century Magazine in Aug 1922.
SYNOPSIS
With Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), this is Capra's third Depression-era parable illustrating the decency of the common man triumphing over cynicism, big money influence, and power. A suicidal down-and-outer, "John Doe" (Cooper), is manipulated by an ambitious politician (Arnold) and a newspaper writer (Stanwyck) to appeal to the masses, only to discover too late the nature of the deception. Capra and frequent collaborator Riskin's ode to populism once again makes its points with well-drawn characters, wonderful performances, and a number of powerful scenes, including a giant rally in the rain where Cooper is denounced as a fraud.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1941 --- Ceremony Number 14 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Writing | Richard Connell, Robert Presnell | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper in “Meet John Doe”
By Stephen Reginald on Sep 16, 2021 From Classic Movie ManBarbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper in “Meet John Doe” Meet John Doe (1941) is a comedy-drama directed by Frank Capra and starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. The screenplay is by frequent Capra collaborator, Robert Riskin. The cinematography is by George Barnes (Rebecca) and the... Read full article
What?s Streaming in May on the CMH Channel at Best Classics Ever? Angel and the Badman, Meet John Doe and Cheating Blondes
By Annmarie Gatti on May 2, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub BlogOur May Picks on the Classic Movie Hub ChannelMay Birthdays and Mysterious Mayhem! Here we go? This month?s free streaming picks for our Classic Movie Hub Channel at Best Classics Ever (BCE) ? the mega streaming channel for classic movies and TV shows! That said, here are some of our May class... Read full article
Meet John Doe (1941, Frank Capra)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Jan 19, 2016 From The Stop ButtonThere’s something off with Meet John Doe. Director Capra can’t find a tone for the film, but he also can’t find a pace for it. He tries to find the tone, over and over, usually with excellently directed sequences, but he just throws up his hands as far as finding the pace. If Rober... Read full article
Meet John Doe (1941, Frank Capra)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Jan 19, 2016 From The Stop ButtonThere’s something off with Meet John Doe. Director Capra can’t find a tone for the film, but he also can’t find a pace for it. He tries to find the tone, over and over, usually with excellently directed sequences, but he just throws up his hands as far as finding the pace. If Rober... Read full article
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Quotes from
Mayor Hawkins: Why, Bert. I feel slighted. I'd like to join, but nobody asked me.
Sourpuss Smithers: I'm sorry, Mayor, but we voted that no politician could join.
Mrs. Hansen: Just the John Does of the neighborhood because you know how politicians are.
Long John Willoughby: Hey, stop worryin', Colonel, fifty bucks ain't gonna ruin me.
The Colonel: I've seen plenty of fellas start out with fifty bucks and wind up with a *bank* account!
Beany: Hey, what's wrong with a bank account, anyway?
The Colonel: And let me tell you, Long John, when you become a guy with a bank account, they gotcha! Yes sir, they gotcha!
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Facts about
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.
Frank Capra's first choice for the role of Ann Mitchell was Ann Sheridan. However, she was vetoed by Warner Bros. in a contract dispute.
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