Rating: 
Summary: OK Populist Drama
Review: "Meet John Doe" is an engaging populist drama with some elements of screwball comedy, but it lacks the resonance of director Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". Now Capra is not the most subtle of directors but he is really wearing his sentiments on his sleeve here. Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck are fine here but not outstanding. Walter Brennan is, well, Walter Brennan. The presence of Edward Arnold as the newspaper magnate with political ambitions telegraphs the ominous direction the film's story is going to go. I kept thinking that what if an actor with a little more subtlety who doesn't wear the black hat so prominently was cast instead, like say, Claude Rains. I also thought to myself while watching this how the Coen brothers were influenced to some degree by Capra in films like "The Hudsucker Proxy" or "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". This is a good film but not one of Capra's best.
Rating: 
Summary: Gary Cooper as the American Everyman in Capra's classic
Review: "Meet John Doe" is clearly the most political of director Frank Capra's "Capracorn" films, even more than "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" or "State of the Union." Newspaper columnist Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck in a rare "good girl role") is fired and prints a phony letter in her final column about a man who is going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve to protest the misery and corruption afflicting the county. The letter is signed "John Doe." The letter causes a sensation and it becomes necessary for Ann to produce "John Doe." She basically holds auditions and settles on Long John Willoughby (Gary Cooper), a starving bush league pitcher whose arms has gone bad. Ann continues to write article in the name of John Doe, calling on everyone to love their neighbor and the like. This only increases the fan mail and the best scene of the film she writes "John Doe" a speech to read on the radio, inspired by the words of her father. As "John" himself gets caught up in the speech and its response, Ann is totally enraptured by the moment. This all might be a giant con game, but Ann is a true believer. Then the powerful publishing magnate, D. B. Norton (Edward Arnold), throws his support behind the John Doe clubs because he wants them to hold a convention where "John" will nominate him as a third party candidate for the presidency. Obviously Norton is some sort of American fascist, and when "John" refuses to play along, Norton publicly exposes him to the mob. All that is left to "John" is to fulfill the original promise of the first letter and commit suicide on Christmas Eve. Cooper and Capra had enjoyed success before with "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," but this is the much better film. Cooper's performance in this 1940 film is certainly Oscar worthy, but his next film was "Sergeant York" and that was the film that won the actor his first Academy Award. Stanwyck's performance is just as good, proving she could do more than film noir bad girls. Like most of Capra's great works, including "It's A Wonderful Life," the mythic structure is clearly that of the crucifixion and resurrection (think about it). The symbolic "death" of John Doe is arguably the most painful in any of Capra's films and the character's "resurrection" is definitely the most believable. Capra originally had a darker ending than what was provided, but we all know that really would have gone against his grain. Again, the supporting cast for Capra's film is absolutely stellar, with Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan, James Gleason, Spring Byington, Gene Lockhart, and Steling Holloway all getting the most out of Robert Riskin's screenplay. "Meet John Doe" is definitely a classic Frank Capra film.
Rating: 
Summary: This film is too gooey
Review: "Meet John Doe" is an exercise in patience: How long till I get out of my seat and scream? Most people I know either love or like this film. I, however, believe that it has no originality and no uniqueness. The cast of this film is far too good to be in this film.
Rating:
Summary: Gary Cooper as the American Everyman in Capra's classic
Review: "Meet John Doe" is clearly the most political of director Frank Capra's "Capracorn" films, even more than "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" or "State of the Union." Newspaper columnist Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck in a rare "good girl role") is fired and prints a phony letter in her final column about a man who is going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve to protest the misery and corruption afflicting the county. The letter is signed "John Doe." The letter causes a sensation and it becomes necessary for Ann to produce "John Doe." She basically holds auditions and settles on Long John Willoughby (Gary Cooper), a starving bush league pitcher whose arms has gone bad. Ann continues to write article in the name of John Doe, calling on everyone to love their neighbor and the like. This only increases the fan mail and the best scene of the film she writes "John Doe" a speech to read on the radio, inspired by the words of her father. As "John" himself gets caught up in the speech and its response, Ann is totally enraptured by the moment. This all might be a giant con game, but Ann is a true believer. Then the powerful publishing magnate, D. B. Norton (Edward Arnold), throws his support behind the John Doe clubs because he wants them to hold a convention where "John" will nominate him as a third party candidate for the presidency. Obviously Norton is some sort of American fascist, and when "John" refuses to play along, Norton publicly exposes him to the mob. All that is left to "John" is to fulfill the original promise of the first letter and commit suicide on Christmas Eve. Cooper and Capra had enjoyed success before with "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," but this is the much better film. Cooper's performance in this 1940 film is certainly Oscar worthy, but his next film was "Sergeant York" and that was the film that won the actor his first Academy Award. Stanwyck's performance is just as good, proving she could do more than film noir bad girls. Like most of Capra's great works, including "It's A Wonderful Life," the mythic structure is clearly that of the crucifixion and resurrection (think about it). The symbolic "death" of John Doe is arguably the most painful in any of Capra's films and the character's "resurrection" is definitely the most believable. Capra originally had a darker ending than what was provided, but we all know that really would have gone against his grain. Again, the supporting cast for Capra's film is absolutely stellar, with Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan, James Gleason, Spring Byington, Gene Lockhart, and Steling Holloway all getting the most out of Robert Riskin's screenplay. "Meet John Doe" is definitely a classic Frank Capra film.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy Handed...
Review: A typical social comentary from Mr. Capra. In its essence this movie is the same story as "Mr. Deeds goes to Town". Ethical issues are bent too steeply toward a political message. It is, nonetheless, a very well told story. Look for the nuances in rhetoric: different characters embody forces in society. Overall it seems a bit too heavy handed.
Rating:
Summary: A.K.A. LONG JOHN WILLOUGHBY
Review: Angered because she has been fired, newspaper columnist, Ann Mitchell (Stanwyck) fabricates and has printed in her final column a phoney letter signed by "John Doe", in which the writer announces that he is going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve as a protest against all the misery, hypocrisy and corruption which exist in the country...........MEET JOHN DOE made its timely appearance in 1941; it warned, in an entertaining way, of the dangers of Fascism. Down and out, Coop is picked by Stanwyck and he's promoted into a massive newspaper publicity stunt. Under Stanwyck's guidance, he becomes JOHN DOE, the people's mouthpiece, championing the cause of decency and fair play in a country pickled in misery, corruption and hypocrisy. Besides Cooper and Stanwyck doing their usual excellent work, Edward Arnold scores as the power-crazed newspaper editor and James Gleason is zesty as the paper's no-nonsense managing editor. Capra's direction is brilliant; he really knew how to take the little man and picture him in all his simplicity, with all his ambitions, desires, heartaches, and laughter. The acting, too, is brilliant. In a role which seems tailor made for Cooper, he gives a terrific performance (some say he deserved his Oscar for this rather than for Sergeant York (I personally disagree!) Stanwyck is lovely here as the lively columnist; she too, gives a great performance. Despite its slightly disappointing ending, the rest of the supporting cast shine through: Walter Brennan, Regis Toomey, Gene Lockhart (father of June) and Spring (December Bride) Byington.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film
Review: Barbara Stanwyck plays a reporter who, on the verge of being fired, writes an anonymous letter about a John Doe who's fed up with how the world is and wants to kill himself by jumping off a public building. Gary Cooper is hired to BE John Doe and help the newspaper continue it's circulation. From here, it's atypical Capra, if you familiar with his movies. Capra uses a lot of the same actors in secondary roles throughout his movies and this is no exception. Even though this DVD is sold at a low price, the quality and sound are both good.
Rating:
Summary: "Meet John Doe" A classic film and an everlasting message
Review: Frank Capra had much to say in this film. Always having a touch of idealism, Capra had been strongly affected by the 1930's. The depression was much more than bread lines and executives jumping out of windows. It was a time when people were stressed to the limit and "wars" between striking workers and and powerful corporations broke out creating a period of American history that we usually try to avoid mentioning. This film cries out for another way of dealing with such issues. John Doe simply asks for people to try to get along with the other fellow. Gary Cooper is wonderful in the roll of "John Doe" Barbara Stanwick, James Gleason, Ed Arnold are all perfectly cast as well. This is on of those great films that every generation needs to see. Unfortunately, the quality of this DVD could have been better but isn't so bad either, so I rate this DVD with a blazing five stars. R.A.M.
Rating:
Summary: Cooper as John Doe-Two American Originals
Review: Gary Cooper shines in his brilliant portrayal of Long John Willoughby (aka John Doe). I got teary-eyed watching him stand in front of hundreds of people in the rain and tell them to keep looking out for the underdog and stand against all evils. I tell you, nobody can cut right to your heart and you love him right back for it. See this film...you'll love it! We need more John Does and Gary Coopers in this country. With God's help, we'll find one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ughh!
Review: Great movie but terrible presentation! Stay away from anything Madacy puts out on DVD. Definitely could have been better, sound and picture-wise. You definitely get what you pay for....
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