 "Found: A Transfer That Ain't Half Bad, Less Expensive Than Most" | 2009-12-24 |
| - Reviewed By salty vagrant at the gates from wisconsin nortwoodz |
Rented the Madacy transfer of this great classic from the library. The Madacy version is the one with the gold heading that says "Hollywood Classics" above a picture-in-picture of Cooper with his hand around Stanwyck's waist. Amazon has the date of release as 1998. The description of the movie found on the back cover is laughably misleading, (someone really put a lot of effort into that mumbo-jumbo, let me tell ya!) but I thought the picture and sound quality were quite decent, as good (or better, i.e. The Devil and Daniel Webster)as many Criterion releases of films from that period.
I read that this was the first independant film Capra did, and his last social commentary. The film was a decent commercial success but then they put the man out of business with extreme taxation. One could almost envision a scenario not unlike what the Walter Brennan character & co. pulled on the John Doe movement in the film being premeditated against Capra given his attempt to break from the almighty studios and do his own thing free of their restrictions.
Critiquing the film itself:
Yes, the film IS whimsy, but it's intentionally so. Many films are based on "what if...?" scenarios, Meet John Doe is based on the greatest of them all; what if we loved one another and focused on our similarities instead of all the petty differences that keep us apart? What if we no longer allowed our overlords to divide us by using politics to obscure the real issues? What if we simply ignored all the parasites who get fat from sucking our blood? Well? Pie in the sky, no doubt, but, perhaps you've thought such things once or twice yourself. What is underestimated about this film is how it shows many of the pragmatic and/or cynical counter-arguments against such thinking, giving the film a sturdier and more well-rounded base. It is an easy film (much like its creator) to denigrate because it wears its heart on its sleeve, and we pompous intellectuals are taught that to do so is childish and foolish. But am I wrong in thinking that this film shows the only way REAL change (not to be confused with the Obama, or any other political huckster's version)COULD work?
I recommend this movie (along with Capra's "You Can't Take It With You" to anyone who senses that there is something wrong with our social system but has a hard time not letting it all get them down. Especially those who believe in the message of Christ (not to be confused with religion).
On a related matter, I think everyone interested in the Tea Party movement or the motivations of such people as Glen Beck in steering such a movement, would do well to dig up this old treasure and watch it with friends or family. |
| |
 "A Parable on People and Politics" | 2009-08-19 |
| - Reviewed By Acute Observer from North Jersey Shore |
The film starts with a name change: "The New Bulletin" has streamlined news and is cleaning out the old staff by the new owner. [Relevant to today's world?] One reporter changes her column with a new story. Are politics the cause of rising unemployment? Does the film suggest `yes'? "Life can be beautiful." Can a newspaper create news to build circulation? Will people make a self-serving claim? They pick one who can pitch their line. The newspaper will build up a story on "John Doe". Is there a danger in owning things? The newspaper creates protest stories on various themes. It shows how a wealthy publisher can sway public opinion by controlling the news. [Is this old news?] The film tells about the effects of the Great Depression in a subtle way.
Can a writer find inspiration from an old diary? Will a competing newspaper try to expose this publicity stunt? What will John Doe say on live radio? A heckler is ejected. "We're the people." John Doe can't escape his fame. [The scenes are funny.] People form fan clubs all over the country. Should people show more concern to their neighbors? [The attitudes of that era are shown.] Will the "John Doe Clubs" become a big business? Can a multi-millionaire use them for political purposes? Could a new third party represent 90% of the voters? [No, but 55% is enough to win.] This film shows how candidates are manipulated to advance the interests of the super-rich. "It can't happen here?" Those who object will be dealt with harshly.
John Doe escapes to address the convention, but D. B. Norton's troopers and newspapers attempt to squash the movement. The crowd rejects their hero (the fickleness of public opinion). What the media prints as Truth is accepted by most people. A group travel up to the 14th floor to watch. A man drops a letter into a mail slot, then goes to the 14th floor. There is a confrontation. "Any idea worth dying for is worth living for." [Or is it the reverse?] Will the people triumph in the end?
This film asks some interesting questions as part of its story. It also tells about popular attitudes (as shown by Hollywood). "Daisy" makes a guest appearance earlier in this film.
|
| |
| "Meet John Doe" | 2009-08-09 |
| - Reviewed By Buffalo Bill from Tulsa, Ok |
A Frank Capra film of excellent quality and humanity. A fine story, a black & white film that takes me back to the 50's growing up withoout technicolor, and enjoying it!The film contains great actors & actresses. Made in the 1940's before my entrance into this world, you'll enjoy this classic movie.
I purchased a used copy at a low price and watch the film two or three times annually. Great entertainment from the Golden Age of filmmaking. |
| |
 "need sea-sickness pills to watch" | 2009-08-06 |
| - Reviewed By trillium from NY USA |
This was a terrible copy. The image moves up and down just enough so you need sea-sickness pills after a few minutes. Sound was terrible too. I suspect they called it "remastered" to try to escape the previous collection of bad reviews of the "enhanced" [...]
BTW, while waiting for delivery, I checked out a DVD from the local public library which was decent. Only the occasional jump. Decent sound too. [...] |
| |
| "Great piece of Americana" | 2009-08-03 |
| - Reviewed By promise from New Mexico |
I would love to go back to the time this film came out and see it with the eyes of the public then. It must have been really something. To us, it's an interesting piece of film history--we know what to expect when we see Capra's name and we can enjoy it in a different way.
I'm mostly a sucker for Capra's corn but I admit that I had a hard time during some of the more rousing messages. I tended to roll my eyes like the great Walter Brennan character, the bum, who just wants John to hit the road with him again and avoid all of this hullabaloo. What kept me interested was Gary Cooper. He is one of the best looking actors of all time, in my opinion, and his charm matches his good looks. He is very funny in the early parts, too. He is perfectly cast as a John Doe everyman type who appeals to the common man. I think if it had featured a less attractive actor I might have bailed out early on.
I love Barbara Stanwyk in her bad girl noir films. In this she is adequate but no match for Cooper. The rest of the cast is very good. Spring Byington brings her special sweetness to the role of Stanwyck's mother. Edward Arnold is always monumental.
The story is hard for us to relate to, realistically, but the sentiments are good and I found the ending surprisingly moving.
I think a lot of its value lies in the picture of how life was in those days. There's a lot of talk about the common man but yet in all of the shots of the masses, we don't see any Blacks or Latinos. When people talk about making friends with their neighbors, their neighbors are other White folks like they are. That's how it was in those days but it does sort of make the grandeur of the message a little.....dated. |
| |
| "Maybe Capra's Best Film; Where Is A Good Print?" | 2009-03-20 |
| - Reviewed By Craig Connell from Lockport, NY USA |
This was a very absorbing story and one of director Frank Capra's best efforts. There is some great acting in here, almost mesmerizing at times. The story is a typical Capra-esquire populist one in which the average man is elevated to high status, his worth and valued boosted in a cynical world.
Yes, it's a far-fetched story but it's fun to watch and has some powerful messages, leading with "Love thy neighbor." I was very impressed with Barbara Stanwyck's speech near the end, noting Jesus' words to that effect while pleading to Gary Cooper. By the way, having Cooper and Stanwyck as the leads isn't all bad, either! Adding actors like Walter Brennan, James Gleason and Spring Byington make it all the better.
Photography-wise, the film has an almost-eerie look to it in parts and is very interesting to view. Why this has never been put out DVD wotj a decemt tramsfer. I don't know.......and it's a crime. As far as I know there is NO good print available for fans of this great film. |
| |
International Available
