The Farmer's Daughter (1947)

Although this film is not as famous, it reminds me a lot of the general patriotic theme that you find in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", and while James Stewart's performance in that film was a blockbuster, Loretta Young's performance here earned her an Oscar.The story is simple. Swedish country girl living in the Midwest travels to the big city. Gets somewhat taken advantage of, but land with her feet on the ground. Scores a job as a maid in a politician's home (Joseph Cotton, a member of the House Of Representatives), whose mother (Ethel Barrymore) is a party leader. Boy falls in love with girl. Girl runs for Congress herself. Blackmailer steps forward. The mother and son do what's wright. Girl wins seat in Congress...and a husband. Illogical? Yes. But charmingly so, and again, there's that Capracornish patriotism, though Frank Capra had nothing to do with this film.Loretta Young is excellent here, particular in a role which would have been easy to play over the top. But she played it square, and that leads to the success of the film. Joseph Cotton is excellent as the Congressman...in fact, now that I think of it, a very underrated actor. Ethel Barrymore is superb...but, then, wasn't she always? Charles Bickford -- not always high on my list of supporting character actors -- is perfect here...believable as the butler who is a real part of a powerful family. The only disappointment here is Harry Davenport, one of my favorite character actors...who is on screen less than 2 minutes. Interestingly, James Arness plays one of Young's brothers, but he is listed as James Aurness (note the spelling; his real family name).The only other time I saw this film was years ago on the late show...I remember a scratchy print that I thought was pretty stupid. So I am glad to see this again to correct my opinion. A classic that is well worth watching, and perhaps buying for your DVD shelf.

Even as far back as 1947 the progressive left agenda is inserted: social justice and Woodrow Wilson...too bad it didn't make an impact when I first watched this movie in 1947...good movie but insinuations not subtle...Enjoyed Miss Barrymore, grande dame of both stage and screen...Ms. Young was terrific, as was the supporting staff,ie, the butler...even then the corruption of this city was and is known...makes an impact of the danger of one party in power too long...the attention to detail in the props, the costuming is outstanding...the patronizing tone, the attempt to shut down debate are all too reminiscent of present times...if we neglect the errors of the past it is too easy to repeat our mistakes...surprised this movie is not required for film studies to pour over for relevance.

Farmer's Daughter, The (1947) *** (out of 4) Loretta Young won an Oscar for her performance of a Swedish maid who goes to work for a Senator (Joseph Cotten) but then ends up running against his party for a seat in Congress. This film really is two separate movies with the first half being a romantic comedy and the second half being a political drama. The first half is decent but nothing special, although Cotten really steals this half with his comic timing. The second half belongs to Young who really goes powerhouse with her political speeches and hopes for the country. I think the film should have paid more attention to the political side of things because it made for some nice drama while the love story is very predictable. Cotten and Young have wonderful chemistry together but the supporting cast is just as good. Ethyl Barrymore and Charles Bickford nearly steal the film Rhys Williams, Harry Davenport and Tom Powers adding nice support. The film has Frank Capra written all over it and I'm sure he would have made more out of the overall film but for what's here there's plenty to enjoy.

Perhaps this is Loretta Young's best film ever, and best performance ever. This attractive B/W classic satire stars Joseph Cotten as her handsome politico boss, Ethel Barrymore as his understanding mother, and an outstanding cast who support their political and romantic involvements. But Katie Holstrom does not begin this film as a candidate nor anyone's fiancée; she begins it on a farm with her large family with a plan to go to school as a nurse in the big city.What happens next is she leaves, and within one day has been bilked of her savings. The need for a job drives her to seek employment as housemaid to a Congressman, Glenn Morley, played by Cotten, and his mother. Ethel Barrymore. Under the house major-domo Charles Bickford, she proves herself to be possessed of charm, common sense, lively intelligence and honesty--qualities which please well when they are not exasperating her employers, unused to such qualities in a world of politicians. Katrin and Glenn find themselves attracted, despite his having a fiancée (Rose Hobart). But when the party's candidate for Congress has to be dumped, it is Katie who somehow gets chosen to run, and wins. The film's climax is Katie's victory, the ending is the romantic pair's arrival in Washington. The values of this award- winning films are not hidden ones. Milton S. Krasner, cinematography, sets by Darrell Silvers and Harley Miller , Edith Head's costumes and many more contribute to the overall effect. The lighting throughout is like a sunny outdoors; and the actors are outstanding. Along with the leads, the director, H.C. Potter, featured Harry Shannon and Anna Q. Nilsson as Katie's parents, Lex Barker, James Arness and Keith Andes as her brawny brothers, Art Baker, Rhys Williams, William Harrigan, Tom Powers, Thurston Hall and many others. The script by Allen Rivin and Laura Kerr adapts Juhani Tervapää's delightful play seamlessly to the screen. The film's pace is interestingly steady and unhurried, its dialogue good or better at all points. The theme of the plot it to be true to oneself; and the story develops this in terms of a time when an individual could be offered as a candidate on the basis of his/her attributes, not of inherited millions. As refreshing as a summer breeze, and often as delightful. This is a classic of anti- Establishment thinking that is only occasionally political at all. Dservedly popular achievement.