Doe Is Worth Meeting (1941) G
It seems we have reviewed a number of Frank Capra classics in recent times in our What You Missed section. The unifying theme of these movies is always about the little guy, up against the big machine, be it in the form of Government with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, or the media and legal system, as with Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.
In Capra’s 1941 masterpiece, Meet John Doe, he teams with Gary Cooper once again, and takes on Big Business, and Politics, in such a disarmingly close-to-the-bone manner, that it blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
Media magnate, D.B. Norton - or maybe it's Rupert Murdoch - buys and then decides to revamp a major New York newspaper, the fictional New York Sentinel. Part of the revamp by the new hard-nosed Chief Editor means out with Ann Mitchell, and her fluffy advice column. Distraught at her sacking, Mitchell writes one last column, based on a letter she has received from the fictional 'John Doe'.
In the letter, Doe outlines all of society's ills - political corruption, business shylockry, the sad plight of the average man. Doe is so distraught by these issues that he declares he is going to commit suicide by jumping from the top of City Hall on Christmas Eve. Of course, the letter is a fake, but it is run on the front page of the paper, and causes an enormous stir when it hits newsstands.
With other media outlets claiming the letter to be a fake, and simply a platform for Norton to begin exerting political influence, the editors are faced with the option of admitting the trickery, or, as Mitchell so eloquently points out, taking the fake to the next level.
The Editor agrees to give Mitchell a bit more rope, and it is decided to go find this John Doe, and trot him out for all to see, and prove his bona fides.
Mitchell, with her job now secured, a pay rise, and a $1000 bonus, begins holding auditions for the role of John Doe. After an exhausting day of interviewing every two-bit panhandler from Brooklyn to Buffalo, in walks John Willoughby (Cooper). Handsome, tall, a failed minor-league pitcher, with a homespun feel about him, Mitchell decides he is the perfect catch.
Willoughby happily becomes Doe, with $50 in his pocket, and a full stomach for him and his vagabond sidekick, 'The Colonel', and a suite at a fancy hotel.
Naturally, John Doe's reality whips up enormous public interest. With a daily article by Doe, ghost-written by Mitchell, the paper's sales are booming. In a desire to take the message of Doe nationally, Mitchell suggests to Norton that a weekly radio program be produced featuring a speech from Doe on one of Norton's radio stations - again we see the Murdoch comparison.
Willoughby is by this time caught up in the hype of the Doe movement, and begins to believe the message, and believe that despite the deception, he represents the average man, a group which has long since had true representation. But a rival paper infiltrates the high security and gets to Doe prior to his first speech, slipping him a revised text that owns up to the fakery.
In a crisis of conscience, Doe ends up reading the original speech written for him by Mitchell, and the rival paper is thwarted.
Soon enough, John Doe clubs start springing up all over the country, with average Americans flocking to them, and hailing John Doe as the voice of the American people. A convention in New York is organized, and Doe is presented with the speech to be read, announcing D.B. Norton’s decision to run for The Presidency, as the champion of all John Does.
It is at this point that Mitchell realizes the full portent of her actions, and Willoughby sees the nefarious manipulation that is occurring.
On the stage of the convention, Willoughby begins to confess the whole truth, and just before unveiling Norton as the brains behind it all, is pushed off the stage, for Norton to take up the spin on the truth. In uproar, the crowd pelts Willoughby with anything they can get their hands on, and he finds himself back under a bridge with the Colonel that night, only this time with a fancy suit.
As with all Capra films, the ultimate resolution of the movie is positive. Norton gets his just desserts, and Willoughby and Mitchell find love. Even the crotchety old Colonel is happy, despite his assimilation with the Heel-lots.
In all, the movie is a stirring reminder of what we, the people, notionally have - power. That as a body, we can achieve such wonderful things. We can indeed change the world, but must believe in our cause, and fight for it to the end. It's the common theme of so many of Capra's great works. And, by the way, the uniting influence of Audience Alliance!
While less moving and inspirational for me than Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Meet John Doe has many redeeming virtues. Cooper is delightful as the hokey Doe. His plain delivery of his dialogue is sparse, yet full of life. Barbara Stanwyck as Ann Mitchell is a work of art, with Edward Arnold as D.B. Norton a brilliant villain, and Walter Brennan as the Colonel, a perfect foil for Cooper, and essential to much of the conflict.
But, I believe this is more of an adult movie. Not too sure that the kids, other than older teens would find it engaging enough. Whilst there is plenty happening on the screen, it is not necessarily the action the young 'ens might be used to, so potentially a tad boring.
Of course, you could always set them up in the other room with the X-Box and enjoy this happily on your own. I can think of far worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
By Brett Stringer
