This is a charming movie with the American can-do spirit common in American movies of the 40s -- but more subtle: (no tap dancing, no fireworks). Not just flag-waving, though, it brings up some good points -- showing that movies that had glamourous stars could still have some food for thought, too. Loretta's comments about the precious gift the ability to vote is, is still relevant today.
....softly, softly, catchy monkey...
I am glad Ingrid Bergmman turned it down.
shareNeat movie but it was a little bit like Ms. Smith Goes To Capital City for me.
shareI agree. It was a lovely movie and so funny and full of thing to say. Interesting that it was produced by a Democrat (Dory Schary) and starred the very Conservative Loretta Young. They apparently loved to debate and respected each other very much. I am also very partial to The Bishop's Wife and Come to the Stable, but Loretta sure deserved her Oscar for this one. In a long career, it is one of her true great roles. She re-did the role, to a certain extent, in her tv show, playing a character called Inga. They were cute episodes. Both Ingrid Bergman and Olivia De Havilland turned down the role. Both would have been great, but had so many great roles. Loretta made a lot of movies, but was rarely cast in really great roles, so I am glad she got to make this one. Also if you can ever see it, it was remade in the early 60s on tv with Lee Remick and she is also very good in the part.
shareI thought I was going to HATE this when I saw it, but immediatly saw it again. What a wonderful movie, and Loretta deserved the Oscar. She and Cotten were marvelous together. When she was announced as the Oscar winner she, and everybody else, were taken aback. Everybody thought Roz Russell was going to win. Loretta had a HUGE, ungainly, but gorgeous dress, and could barely make her way on stage, and looked completely shocked. The whole audience was cheering, She finally said "at long last," and the whole audience began weeping. What a story, but a good and sincere one, as she'd been in movies FOREVER.
shareI absolutely love this movie and one of my favorite things (of many) is when one of the actors actually uses double talk in his speech at the political meeting.
shareYes, delightful. this is not a masterpiece but I enjoyed it so much so many times.
share"Yes, delightful. this is not a masterpiece but I enjoyed it so much so many times."
Can we agree it's CLOSE to a masterpiece? With TWO acting nominations by performers who held their own with screen greats Joseph Cotten and Ethel Barrymore and even a few scenes that included James ("Gunsmoke") Arness as one of Loretta Young's onscreen brothers, in his screen debut.
Loved Thurston Hall's turn as the blowhard Congressman and was actually a little sorry the character had to die in order to make it possible for Katie's rise in the political arena. I'm a huge fan of the old Foghorn Leghorn cartoons and I can see a lot of Hall in Foghorn's characterization.
Charles Bickford has never been more likeable than as the crusty, no-nonsense but loyal family butler who, in one scene, casts a stern glance at Katie when she, in girlish curiosity, takes a ride on the stairway's lift chair but, when the embarrassed young woman takes her leave, can't help himself from chuckling!
It was good to see Ethel Barrymore in a meaty role during the twilight of her career and life.
There isn't a single false note to the "can-do" message of the film which, in many ways, hasn't aged a day. It's sympathetic to traditionally liberal causes and issues, yet portrays decent and admirable right-wing characters as well. It idealizes an America that can work despite (if not BECAUSE OF) partisan differences when political leaders and the public whom they represent work together for the causes and needs on which they CAN agree.
The dialogue and characterizations were sparkling and all rang true with me. Many pictures made today cannot boast such accomplishments but find their bottom line in derivitive and lowest common denominator fare; and I'll be the first to admit that even I am able to watch and enjoy a lot of those inferior productions; but I know film greats and masterpieces when I see them and if this movie isn't among them, it comes pretty darn close!
Agreed, better movies have been made, but you can't ask for much better than "The Farmer's Daughter." "Delightful," indeed.
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It is a delight, and I have seen it many times over the years. After the initial viewings, it appears to be more clearly a bit of a civics lesson from the high-minded producer, Dore Schary, but at least he never forgot to keep the audience entertained! The cast really couldn't be improved upon, and I, for one, am very happy that Loretta Young was the Best Actress winner that year. She and Joseph Cotton have a very pleasant chemistry as well.
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