Meet John Doe
Seen it?1941 | 123 min | Drama, Comedy, Romance
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Quartet, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 3 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1941: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
As a parting shot, fired reporter Ann Mitchell prints a fake letter from unemployed "John Doe," who threatens suicide in protest of social ills. The paper is forced to rehire Ann and hires John Willoughby to impersonate "Doe." Ann and her bosses cynically milk the story for all it's worth, until the made-up "John Doe" philosophy starts a whole political movement.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 50K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Frank Capra
- Gary CooperLong John Willoughby
- Barbara StanwyckAnn Mitchell
- Edward ArnoldD.B. Norton
- Walter BrennanThe Colonel
- Spring ByingtonMme Mitchell
- James GleasonHenry Connell
- Gene LockhartMayor Lovett
- Rod La RocqueTed Sheldon
- Irving BaconBeany
- Regis ToomeyBert Hansen