Christmas Movie Review: Day Twenty-Three

Meet John Doe (1941)

In this beautiful Frank Capra film, Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) has just lost her job as a reporter. After being told she can write one more column before leaving, she writes a fake letter from a 'John Doe', claiming that on Christmas Eve he will commit suicide as a protest to fallen society.
 As the story sky-rockets, the editor rehires Ann and as an effort to boost newspaper sales and protect the paper from fraud, they go in search of someone to take the role as 'John Doe'.
 Enter Long-John Willoughby (Gary Cooper), a retired baseball player-turned-hobo, who agrees to the job if they agree to pay for surgery for his injured arm, in hopes of returning to baseball.
 As people begin to listen, John appears on the radio, urging people to open their eyes and embrace their neighbors, toss aside their political bands, and to return to the common decency God wishes for every nation.
 The speeches (written by Ann) of 'goodwill' and 'Love Thy Neighbor' touch the American people, and soon 'John Doe Clubs' spring up all across the country.
 Unfortunately, greedy statesmen take advantage of the movement for their own political gain, and it looks like John, who has grown to believe in the things he's been told to say, is in danger of fraud, and even worse: being exposed as a liar to all the people who love him.

*suppressed squeals*

I loooooooove this movie. <33 

 It shows the good, bad, and ugly of life as only Frank Capra can do, and every time I sit down to watch it, I'm reminded of all the beautiful quotes that can apply to our nation today and forever. 

 I mean, It's Gary Cooper! His boyish humor, adorable smile and simple way of talking captures the hearts of many people, even today, and he embodies the American 'little man' in every sense. 

 I like how confused and conflicted he is, with all the deceit he has to do, and when he tries to do the right thing, my heart broke at the way he was treated. 

 Watching him stand up in front of thousands of people, trying to explain as things being thrown at him is almost too much for me. *sad sigh*

Barbara Stanwyck's performance is spotless. <3 

 You can just watch her eyes sparkle and light up as she listens to John's wise words. Ann didn't truly think about the consequences of her little lie, but her speech at the ending scene shows that she's sorry for what she did, and when she begs John to keep on trying.... Ah, it's just so moving. 

 And their relationship is so cute. *happy grins* 

The best part of this film is the end. 

 Ooh, my heart breaks seeing the hopelessness on John's face as he stands next to the rail, ready to jump. And I cry at Ann's desperate pleas... Oh, but I can't give too much away! 

 Just to prove at how inspirational it is, here are some random quotes: 

"I'm gonna talk about us — the average guys, the John Does. If anybody should ask you what the average John Doe is like, you couldn't tell him because he's a million and one things. He's Mr. Big and Mr. Small, he's simple and he's wise, he's inherently honest but he's got a streak of larceny in his heart. He seldom walks up to a public telephone without shovin' his finger into the slot to see if somebody left a nickel there. He's the man the ads are written for. He's the fella everybody sells things to. He's Joe Doakes, the world's greatest stooge and the world's greatest strength. Yes sir, yes sir, we're a great family, the John Does. We are the meek who are supposed to inherit the earth. You'll find us everywhere. We raise the crops, we dig the mines, work the factories, keep the books, fly the planes and drive the buses, and when the cop yells, 'Stand back there you,' he means us - the John Does. We've existed since time began. We built the pyramids. We saw Christ crucified, pulled the oars for Roman emperors, sailed the boats for Columbus, retreated from Moscow with Napoleon, and froze with Washington at Valley Forge. Yes sir, we've been in there dodging left hooks since before History began to walk. In our struggle for freedom, we've hit the canvas many a time, but we always bounced back because we're the people — and we're tough."

"Please don't give up. We'll start all over again. Just you and I. It isn't too late. The John Doe movement isn't dead yet. You see, John, it isn't dead or they wouldn't be here. It's alive in them. They kept it alive by being afraid. That's why they came up here. Oh, darling!...We can start clean now. Just you and I. It'll grow John, and it'll grow big because it'll be honest this time. Oh, John, if it's worth dying for, it's worth living for. Oh please, John...You wanna be honest, don't ya? Well, you don't have to die to keep the John Doe ideal alive. Someone already died for that once. The first John Doe. And he's kept that ideal alive for nearly 2,000 years. It was He who kept it alive in them. And He'll go on keeping it alive for ever and always — for every John Doe movement these men kill, a new one will be born. That's why those bells are ringing, John. They're calling to us, not to give up but to keep on fighting, to keep on pitching. Oh, don't you see darling? This is no time to give up."

"There you are, Norton. The people. Try and lick that!"

Content: 

Some drinking. A statue without clothes is shown for a brief moment. John's threat to attempt suicide may bother some. 

I just love all the characters in this film <3 

 Henry Connell's talk about loving the Star-Spangled Banner and about being lighthouses in a foggy world.... <3333 Oh, Frank Capra is the best film-maker. 

 I loved seeing Walter Brennan, and all the humor. 

Just take my word for it and give this movie a try! You won't be disappointed. 

My Review: Five Stars ✩✩✩✩✩ (I may even give it six)

Sorry about the delays! It's a busy time of year

                                                                                                           LaKaysha