I love the layers of "reality" in this movie. This is a great, heartfelt speech. Yet it's ghostwritten by an ambitious opportunist and delivered by a co-opted homeless man who's trapped in a publicity machine. And YET, deep down they both really believe every word of it. Very mature, very complex. And yet it's dismissed by people who don't understand it as corny idealism.
Socialism at it's finest. ;) Makes me reflect on the Union busting going on right now by the 'D.B. Coopers' and the 'Henry Potter's"of the world, trying to squeeze the average John Doe out of his or her fair share of the American dream. The top 2% who control 98% of the wealth in the US also tend to either own or influence what we see or don't see on TV or read in our daily news. In troubled times like these, we could sure use another Frank Capra!
The John Doe Clubs are the Tea Party groups today. The elected politicians are still being excluded, by any of them that are worthwhile. And the powerful are still trying to co-opt, defame, or destroy John Doe and his clubs.
Yes, I've seen this too from the beginning of the Tea Party movement, and thought of the John Doe Clubs long before the Tea Party found any water to brew their tea bags in. But I'm not prepared to make distinctions or arguments tonight other than the fact that John Doe found out early on that he was being used by American Fascism in the form of D. B. Norton.
It's not the same name as "Koch Brothers," but change a few names and initials and you have D.B. Norton all over again.
Only because it's populist silliness in many respects.
But each day that goes by, I say to myself, "Populism? Maybe not such a bad thing after all. As long as I keep it away from D. B. Norton and his progeny."
I agree in that regard, but, I also agree with the film's "message." Where I feel it sort of fails is, it provides a lopsided presentation of the issue. Still a very good movie, I think, and I sometimes prefer it to "It's a Wonderful Life."
To most of you, your neighbor is a stranger, a guy with a barking dog and a high fence around him. Now you can't be a stranger to any guy who's on your own team. So tear down the fence that separates you, tear down the fence and you'll tear down a lot of hates and prejudices. Tear down all the fences in the country and you'll really have teamwork.
Long John Willoughby "John Doe," played by Gary Cooper in the movie, Meet john Doe
I love the layers of "reality" in this movie. This is a great, heartfelt speech. Yet it's ghostwritten by an ambitious opportunist and delivered by a co-opted homeless man who's trapped in a publicity machine. And YET, deep down they both really believe every word of it. Very mature, very complex. And yet it's dismissed by people who don't understand it as corny idealism.
jsharp1701 2 weeks ago
oh oh and they go thats John Doe
alszemez 2 weeks ago
rick ross brought me here
extragoodwill 2 months ago
Socialism at it's finest. ;) Makes me reflect on the Union busting going on right now by the 'D.B. Coopers' and the 'Henry Potter's"of the world, trying to squeeze the average John Doe out of his or her fair share of the American dream. The top 2% who control 98% of the wealth in the US also tend to either own or influence what we see or don't see on TV or read in our daily news. In troubled times like these, we could sure use another Frank Capra!
themanof1000voices 11 months ago
As pertinent today as it was then.
The John Doe Clubs are the Tea Party groups today. The elected politicians are still being excluded, by any of them that are worthwhile. And the powerful are still trying to co-opt, defame, or destroy John Doe and his clubs.
5hr3w3d 1 year ago
@5hr3w3d
Yes, I've seen this too from the beginning of the Tea Party movement, and thought of the John Doe Clubs long before the Tea Party found any water to brew their tea bags in. But I'm not prepared to make distinctions or arguments tonight other than the fact that John Doe found out early on that he was being used by American Fascism in the form of D. B. Norton.
It's not the same name as "Koch Brothers," but change a few names and initials and you have D.B. Norton all over again.
grabit1 1 year ago
Some great performances in this movie and the director, well, it's 2009and we are still talkin about him.
jnmklo9 2 years ago
Capra and John Ford (who were each others best friend) we will always talk about.
Whatever their flaws, they are America's Filmmakers. Going far beyond our popular culture, and delving into who and what we are, for better or worse.
grabit1 2 years ago
I cried during the speech. What a great film.
MadScout 2 years ago
Walter Brennan is adorable in this movie. I love how he and Long John pal around, esp. when they play their doohickies(sp?)
"Jumping off buildings. Why, you couldn't improve the world if the buildings jumped on you!!"--PRICELESS.
xocolatl3409 4 years ago 3
And maybe the ending wasn't so imperfect after all.
grabit1 4 years ago 4
I think it might have been Frank Capra's greatest achievement and his most mature movie. Less than perfect ending notwithstanding.
But then, I'll probably watch MR. SMITH or WONDERFUL LIFE tomorrow and change my mind back.
But seriously, as problematic as this movie was, let's ask why we still watch it.
grabit1 4 years ago
What's problematic about it? I prefer it to "It's a Wonderful Life."
Commando303X 3 years ago 2
Only because it's populist silliness in many respects.
But each day that goes by, I say to myself, "Populism? Maybe not such a bad thing after all. As long as I keep it away from D. B. Norton and his progeny."
grabit1 3 years ago
I agree in that regard, but, I also agree with the film's "message." Where I feel it sort of fails is, it provides a lopsided presentation of the issue. Still a very good movie, I think, and I sometimes prefer it to "It's a Wonderful Life."
Commando303X 3 years ago
You're right, but we get a lopsided presentation from the D. B. Nortons and the Karl Roves of this generation. So I don't mind so much.
grabit1 3 years ago
The source for a very famous quotation:
To most of you, your neighbor is a stranger, a guy with a barking dog and a high fence around him. Now you can't be a stranger to any guy who's on your own team. So tear down the fence that separates you, tear down the fence and you'll tear down a lot of hates and prejudices. Tear down all the fences in the country and you'll really have teamwork.
Long John Willoughby "John Doe," played by Gary Cooper in the movie, Meet john Doe
gwailly 4 years ago
Here's to all the little punks!
RubyTuesday717 4 years ago
Who can't drink to that?
grabit1 3 years ago 2
i like this film
smartman43 4 years ago
my favorite movie of all time
songe55 5 years ago 3
mine too! I own it and watch it at least twice a year!
igifford 4 years ago
Besides, it has Stanwyck and Cooper. All the more reason to treasure it.
grabit1 2 years ago
this is a great speech
smartman43 5 years ago
nice
joseinTokyo 5 years ago