Meet John Doe

Meet John Doe

 Cast: Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
, Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
, Walter Brennan
Walter Brennan
, Edward Arnold
Edward Arnold
, James Gleason
James Gleason
Meet John Doe

Meet John Doe

 Cast: Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
, Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
, Walter Brennan
Walter Brennan
, Edward Arnold
Edward Arnold
, James Gleason
James Gleason

DVD

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Overview

The first of director Frank Capra's independent productions (in partnership with Robert Riskin), Meet John Doe begins with the end of reporter Ann Mitchell's (Barbara Stanwyck) job. Fired as part of a downsizing move, she ends her last column with an imaginary letter written by "John Doe." Angered at the ill treatment of America's little people, the fabricated Doe announces that he's going to jump off City Hall on Christmas Eve. When the phony letter goes to press, it causes a public sensation. Seeking to secure her job, Mitchell talks her managing editor (James Gleason) into playing up the John Doe letter for all it's worth; but to ward off accusations from rival papers that the letter was bogus, they decide to hire someone to pose as John Doe: a ballplayer-turned-hobo (Gary Cooper), who'll do anything for three squares and a place to sleep. "John Doe" and his traveling companion The Colonel (Walter Brennan) are ensconced in a luxury hotel while Mitchell continues churning out chunks of John Doe philosophy. When newspaper publisher D.B. Norton (Edward Arnold), a fascistic type with presidential aspirations, decides to use Doe as his ticket to the White House, he puts Doe on the radio to deliver inspirational speeches to the masses -- ghost-written by Mitchell, who, it is implied, has become the publisher's mistress. The central message of the Doe speeches is "Love Thy Neighbor," though, conceived in cynicism, the speeches strike so responsive a chord with the public that John Doe clubs pop up all over the country. Believing he is working for the good of America, Cooper agrees to front the National John Doe Movement -- until he discovers that Norton plans to exploit Doe in order to create a third political party and impose a virtual dictatorship on the country. The last of Capra's "social statement" films, Meet John Doe posted a profit, although Capra and Riskin were forced to dissolve their corporation due to excessive taxes.

Product Details

Release Date: 07/09/2015
UPC: 0644827166626
Original Release: 1941
Source: Reel Vault
Language: English
Sales rank: 41,516

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Gary Cooper Long John Willoughby, John Doe
Barbara Stanwyck Ann Mitchell
Walter Brennan The Colonel
Edward Arnold D.B. Norton
James Gleason Henry Connell
Spring Byington Mrs. Mitchell
Gene Lockhart Mayor Lovett
Rod La Rocque Ted Sheldon
Irving Bacon Beany
Regis Toomey Bert Hansen
Warren Hymer Angelface
Aldrich Bowker Pop Dwyer
Ann Doran Mrs. Hansen
Sterling Holloway Dan
Madge Crane Mrs. Brewster
J. Farrell MacDonald Sourpuss Smithers
Pat Flaherty Mike
Carlotta Jelm Ann's Sister
Tina Thayer Ann's Sister
Bennie Bartlett Red, the Office Boy
Sarah Edwards Mrs. Hawkins
Stanley Andrews Weston
Andrew Tombes Spencer
Pierre Watkin Hammett
Garry Owen Sign Painter
Charles Wilson Charlie Dawson,Man in Diner / Man in Radio Station Audience
Gene Morgan Mug,Bit Part
Cyril Thornton Butler
Edward Earle Radio MC
M.J. Frankovich Radio Announcer
Harry Holman Mayor Hawkins
Bess Flowers Newspaper Secretary
Emma Tansey Mrs. Delaney
Mitchell Lewis Bennett
Billy Curtis Midget
Johnny Fern Midget
Vernon Dent Man
Vaughan Glaser Governor
Selmer Jackson Radio Announcers at Convention
Knox Manning Radio Announcers at Convention
John B. Hughes Radio Announcers at Convention
Lucia Carroll Herself,Bit Part
James McNamara Sheriff
Frank Austin Grubbel
Edward Keane Relief Administrator
Lafe McKee Mr. Delaney
Edward McWade Joe, Newsman
Guy Usher Bixler
Walter Soderling Barrington
John Hamilton Jim, Governor's Associate
William Forrest Governor's Associate
Charles K. French Fired Reporter
Edward Hearn Mayor's Secretary
Hank Mann Ed, a Photographer
James Millican Photographer
Harry Davenport Ex-owner of Bulletin
Paul Everton GOP Man
Forrester Harvey Bum
Mary Benoit Secretary
Mildred Coles Secretary
Eddie Kane Tycoon
Melvin Lang Foreign Dignitary
Alphonse Martell Foreign Dignitary
Wyndham Standing Democrat
Edwin Stanley Democrat
Isabelle La Mal Chamber of Commerce Member
Alfred Hall Chamber of Commerce Member,Bit Part
George Melford Chamber of Commerce Member,Actor
Henry Roquemore Chamber of Commerce Member
John Ince Doctor
Gail Newbray Telephone Operator
Earl Bunn Policeman
Edmund Cobb Policeman
Jack Cheatham Policeman
Lew Davis Electrician
Howard Chase Electrician
Floyd Criswell Electrician
Carl Ekberg Reporter
Frank Fanning Reporter
Eddie Fetherston Reporter
Walter Finden Photographer
Jack Gardner Photographer
William Gould Sergeant
Kenneth Harlan Publicity Man
Richard Kipling Police Commissioner
Frank Meredith Guard
Jack Mower Guard
Cliff Saum Guard
Don Turner Guard
Forbes Murray Legislator
Maris Wrixon Autograph Hound
Susan Peters Autograph Hound
Frank Mayo Attendant
Wedgewood Nowell Bit Part
Evelyn Barlowe Bit Part
Fritzi Brunette Bit Part
Florence Lawler Bit Part
Evelyn Dockson Bit Part
Ethel Gilstrom Bit Part
Claire Meade Bit Part
Mrs. Wilfred North Bit Part
Elsa Peterson Bit Part
Sada Simmons Bit Part
Bessie Wade Bit Part
Lillian West Bit Part
Mack Gray Bit Part
Jay Guedillio Bit Part
James Harrison Bit Part
Max Hoffman Jr. Bit Part
Frank Jaquet Police Desk Sergeant
Charles McAvoy Bit Part
Larry McGrath Bit Part
Joe McGuinn Bit Part
Tom McGuire Bit Part
Frank Moran Bit Part,Bit Part
George Pembroke Bit Part
Bob Perry Delegate
Edward Peil Sr. Actor
Hal Price Bit Part,Bit Part
Don Roberts Bit Part
Thomas W. Ross Bit Part
Bernard Wheeler Bit Part
Ed Williams Bit Part,Bit Part,Actor
Max Blum Bit Part
Sidney Bracey Club Member
Glen Cavender Bit Part
Inez Gay Bit Part
Bess Meyers Actor
Sally Sage Bit Part
Eddie Graham Tall Autograph Hound
Stuart Holmes Bit Part
Al Lloyd Bit Part
Paul Panzer Bit Part
Jack Richardson Man in Diner
Leo White Bit Part
Charles Trowbridge Bit Part
Fredrik Vogeding Bit Part
Jack Wise Delegate
Margaret Crane Mrs. Brewster
Eddie Fetherstone Reporter
Dimitri Tiomkin Composer

Technical Credits
Frank Capra Director,Producer
Richard Connell Screenwriter
Robert R. Presnell Sr. Screenwriter
Jack Cosgrove Special Effects
Robert Riskin Screenwriter
C.A. Riggs Sound/Sound Designer
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