Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore in "The Farmer's Daughter" (1947) - James Arness debut

Opening credits: The characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictional. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Swedish-American farmer's daughter Katrin "Katie" Holstrom (Loretta Young) leaves the family farm to attend nursing school in Capitol City. Barn painter Adolph Petree (Rhys Williams), who completed a job for Katie's father, offers her a ride, then steals her money along the way. Katie, refusing to ask her family for help, goes to work as a maid for political power broker Agatha Morley (Ethel Barrymore) and her son, U.S. Representative Glenn Morley (Joseph Cotten). She impresses Agatha and her loyal butler Joseph Clancey (Charles Bickford) with her refreshing, down-to-earth common sense. Glenn is impressed with her other charms.
Unexpected problems arise when the Morleys and the other leaders of their political party have to select a replacement for a deceased congressman; they choose the unscrupulous Anders J. Finley (Art Baker). Knowing the man's true background, Katie strongly disapproves. At a public meeting to introduce Finley, Katie asks him pointed and embarrassing questions. Leaders of the opposition party are impressed and offer to back Katie in the coming election. Katie accepts and reluctantly quits her job, much to Glenn's disappointment.
When Katie's campaign gains support (with some coaching from Glenn), Finley smears her reputation by bribing Petree to claim Katie spent the night with him when he gave her a ride. Katie, distraught, runs home. When Glenn learns the truth, he follows her and proposes.
Agatha and Joseph get Finley drunk and he reveals he is a member of an extreme nativist political group and that he bribed Petree, who is hidden away at his isolated lodge, to disparage Katie's reputation. Assisted by Katie's three burly brothers (James Arness, Lex Barker, Keith Andes), Glenn retrieves Petree from his goon guards, then forces him to confess over the radio. Agatha withdraws her party's support for Finley and endorses Katie, ensuring her election. In the final scene, Glenn carries Katie across the threshold of the United States House of Representatives.
A 1947 American Black & White comedy film directed by H.C. Potter, produced by Dore Schary, screenplay by Allen Rivkin and Laura Kerr, adapted from the 1937 Finnish play "Juurakon Hulda" (1937) by Hella Wuolijoki, using the pen name Juhani Tervapää (misspelled in the film's credits as Juhni Tervataa), cinematography by Milton R. Krasner, starring Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart, Rhys Williams, Harry Davenport, Tom Powers, William Harrigan, Harry Shannon, Keith Andes, Thurston Hall, Art Baker, and Don Beddoe. First credited appearance of Lex Barker. Screen debut appearance of James Arness.
Joseph Cotten was a native of Petersburg, Virginia. He had a southern accent.
The screen rights were initially bought by David O. Selznick. He intended to make it a vehicle for Ingrid Bergman. She declined the role, however. He tried to cast either Dorothy McGuire or Sonja Henie, but eventually sold the rights to RKO Radio Pictures. Because of rumors that Joseph Cotten and Ingrid Bergman were having an affair, Bergman was replaced by Loretta Young. Initially titling their film "Katie for Congress", RKO sought the more suggestive title "The Farmer's Daughter". However, they had to buy that title from Paramount Pictures, who owned The Farmer's Daughter (1940).
The film won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Loretta Young and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Charles Bickford. Young's Oscar win is one of the most stunning upsets in the history of the Academy Awards. It was the first time a comedy performance had garnered the award since Claudette Colbert's win for "It Happened One Night"(1934), and it was generally expected that Rosalind Russell would win for her Lavinia in the far more dramatic film version of Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra (1947), because Young is largely absent from the second half of the film, as her character, Katrin, becomes the off-screen linchpin in a complex political plot. Ironically, Young had far more screen footage in "The Bishop's Wife" (1947), released the same year, and a performance that many believe was far more worthy of the statuette.
Lux Radio Theater broadcast a sixty-minute radio adaptation of this movie in 1948 with Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten reprising their roles. In 1963, a television series based on the film was produced, starring Inger Stevens, Cathleen Nesbitt and William Windom.
This poignant story is dated, but still manages to be a fresh and charming comedy. The political satire is more restrained then what modern audiences are used to, but the topics haven't aged at all. Two parties with no obvious ideological differences engaged in partisan bickering and mudslinging while a small group of wealthy and powerful men decide who is going to run for office.

[@dalanmanbros8311]

I know this is naively idealistic, but this film should be mandatory viewing for ALL our current politicians, government and judicial leaders. Immediately!!!

[@carlpage9259]

Creepy Joe’s cousin?????😳

@@carlpage9259 What's the matter, Carl? Do you take issue with people learning a thing or two?

[@liz3424]

This is exactly what's going on in today's CURRENT politics with crooked Joe at the wheel. As the moral of the story goes though, liars and chartering sewer rats don't win the big picture. JESUS CHRIST AND TRUMP 2024🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@wildalbalass4867]

Hear hear.

[@MrPipvampire]

Yeah, Hunter would show her a good time in no time!

[@user-hl8qr8mx5h]

I am 80 yrs old and I love the old classic movies! No commercials! 😊😊😊😊

[@TeresaEliz]

I’m 65 and I love the old classic movies 🎥 ❤

[@FoggyStillness]

Simplicity, honesty, integrity and plain speaking, plus a generous helping of beauty and cuteness, make for a great movie. Thank you!

[@homegown1234]

There was a time when working at office during the late 60s was ideal. I had the best generation providing training and guidance to someone from the Boomer generation. I learned to work hard because that is how one gets promotions and guess what I did. Not that I expected a promotion but being a temp working with the Tax Assessor's Office I worked as a temp as a Clerk I, and so instead of waiting for customers I kept busy helping the staff in typing cards for the women in the office, updating the file cabinets to make it more efficient. I loved keeping busy so the day of work would go fast. Then one day an office personnel saw me and told me I got a small promotion and I got to move to the Building Division where I would be calculating improvement of rebuilding slabs or other form of additions. I loved it and it was thoroughly checked over. I loved it and follow through to be kind to other employees when they needed my help. Now a days people would say, "not my job." I never did say that because anything that I can learn is beneficial to me in the long run. I got promotions due to my diligence, creative ways and worked hard throughout the many government jobs from Public Works Personnel, Miami International Airport to my favorite PSD - or Police Safety Department where I got two increases due to my ability to help and supervise too. Those 11 years were filled with hope and incredible work which I provided to many office co-workers to make their work easier. I loved what I did. Got married and raised a family learned to raise a family, cooperate with the school system and volunteered to help the school even first and 2nd grade. Fixed and learned to quilt and provided help wherever I cold including car-pooling with my next-door neighbor to make things easy for both of us in AL. Life is good when one can return the favors to those school moms that made my life so rich and fulfilled so I volunteered to do parties for two of my children's room too. I never forgot how wonderful those mothers were when I didn't get Christmas presents or birthday parties, so I return the favor as a gift to these wonderful mothers of those early years of mine.

[@Lucy00682]

Love Ethel Barrymore, excellent portrayal as congressmans mother.

[@mischermer4767]

This film was and should be a rallying cry to the people to bring back the government that should be America, the Republic, and the Constitution.

[@cadillacdebois]

I wish they still made girls like Loretta Young.

[@winnepeterson6570]

What a wonderful movie!

[@Asterion67]

What a beautiful movie!!!! Thank you!

[@sally8234]

We've been fighting corrupt government since 1947. Seventy-five years later and it's 75 times worse. Now we're dealing with a corrupt Supreme Court. It's unbelievable. Decency and honesty is not a thing anymore in politics. They also should have named this movie something that reflected the actual content. I was completely surprised by the direction this movie took. Excellent!

[@marileehorn4507]

Politics has always been corrupt. It's all about money and power. The Supreme Court is about law and the constitution, not about pandering to the abortion. industry. There simply was no legal constitutional basis for RoevWade, even Justice Bader-Ginsburg knew that and said so. Voter ID would be a step towards making politics less corrupt.

[@peteylou3973]

Not all the Supreme Court is corrupt…..thankfully.

[@1ireneaustin]

you mean excellent UN propaganda and federal reserve lies.. banker lies,

[@TheBelrick]

@@peteylou3973 They shower you with warm pee on occasion to keep you warm to them.

[@TheBelrick]

Face it, humanity lost ww2 and have been suffering ever since.

[@maryannwright4394]

I wish that congress and their political powerhouse behind them would work together for Americans and Americas interest. Heartwarming movie

[@mrs.g.9816]

First time I ever saw this movie, and I loved it! So I put this one on my "Great Movies" playlist. I loved Loretta Young's and Ethel Barrymore's characters. It sure would be nice if someone with a pure heart and a real love for his/her fellow American citizens would successfully run for national office. (I can dream, can't I?)

[@charliesmith_]

🎯 Mrs.G, 'Snap!' *Loved* it - Isn't it just wonderful!! It's a 100% _keeper!!_ 💌🌸😊👏👏💫🌸x 🇬🇧

[@leeanncornell8305]

I love this movie.😊 Thank you for sharing. 🎉❤

[@ritaturner9906]

Love the old fashioned homes with fireplaces in the bedroom and he still had a water heater. Those are the best. Waking up and calling for breakfast in bed. That’s the life.

[@Flowerchild778]

For 20 years I had a fireplace in my bedroom. It was in a flood 😔

[@ritaturner9906]

@@Flowerchild778 I bet it was beautiful. The old houses who had fireplaces were always so nice. So sorry your home flooded.

[@TomTom-hj3nq]

What a wonderful innocent movie about politics...how it should be in times when it clearly isn't...people look deep into your hearts..and let your silent simple and true heart guide you....simple friendly goodness...and don't worry the outcome...from Munich Germany

[@anthonyreale1786]

Great movie wonderful cast.

[@greekveteran2715]

Great Classic movie!!!!

[@chicsartorial]

Goofy title - MARVELOUS movie, with an ALL STAR CAST ...Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Charles Bickford AND, as 3 brothers - Lex Barker, James Arness, and Keith Andes - who often played a wild crazed gunman in old WESTERNS, and was freaking great. ....AND A GREAT script ... A POLITICAL drama/ comedy... talk about a FORGOTTEN genre. Utterly extinct. An obvious statement about politics these days -- don't joke about it, lest you become extinct. A sad state of affairs, I say through clenched teeth.

[@Flowerchild778]

I never knew until recently that Peter Graves was brother to James Arness😮

[@chicsartorial]

@@Flowerchild778 Wow, that''s surprising. They don't seem to look alike. Maybe it's just me. Anyhow, luv them both. Thanks.

[@katbird5775]

​​@@chicsartorial Once I learned it, probably when I was a young teenager, many, many decades ago, I couldn't not see the resemblance, and their deep voices, too! Both so handsome and excellent actors!

[@homegown1234]

I love he phrase Ethel Barrymore calls bad politicians "Fat Boys." Interesting.

[@lenahallid4802]

Loretta Young said in Swedish:that was the worst that could happen.Good pronunciation.

[@kathyspeed1575]

I enjoyed this very much. I thought. I'd seen this before because I grew up watching all types of older movies. I'm 70 years old and I even watche

[@dorothyjane419]

I'm 82, this movie #great

[@guitarchick]

A living wage! Brilliant truth but still not reality.

[@ritaturner9906]

That built in chair for stairs was awesome. Amazing they had technology like that in 40s but I bet it was affordable to all who needed.

[@nativetxn1]

After a broken back from a car wreck in the 1950's I moved into a house that ha a stair lift similar to this one.

[@ritaturner9906]

@@nativetxn1 Raly, how cool. Was there any upcharge in price of house due to that chair? Seems like for a long time we got away from chairs for handicapped and people bought ranch style homes and built ramps and then the chairs came out again but are so expensive. And in the movie, the mother could walk but maybe she had bad knees and feet but that was a huge and beautiful staircase.

[@nativetxn1]

@@ritaturner9906The house was where my best friend in high school lived. I was in a private school not in my hometown and his parents asked me to move in because of the chairlift.

[@user-dh5cv6go1v]

Great flick, great acting, ahhh Ms. Young.😉 Interesting story line, nothing new under the sun but in this age the whistle blower usually is found dead by suicide of course. Tku for post.

[@diahann-carrolljohnson5317]

Absolutely lovely! Would watch again.

[@ritaturner9906]

This was a great movie. Although Katie only ran to clear her name and honor her father’s wishes. I don’t think it was ever her passion. Her passion was to become a nurse. I would have loved a part 2 where Katy finally got that nurse education.

[@desertodavid]

RitaTurner, what movie were you watching?? Katie did not run just to clear her name. She ran because of all the hypocrisy in the candidates... and then learned the hard way how politics really works. So her father told her to fight back... what she did, and won!

[@ritaturner9906]

@@desertodavid you are entitled to your own opinion. Everyone takes away something different from movies and books.

[@desertodavid]

@@ritaturner9906 Okayyy then. So you completely disregarded "my opinion"... maybe you just didn't understand it?

[@homegown1234]

I think she would have done well as a politician by her interest in knowing whom to vote for and to see how far she would go with the information she kept in her fingertips. Smart girl that got where she was supposed to be since she wanted to do the right thing in politics.

[@runeljungstrommer331]

"Gud välsigna dig!" swedish mamma😊

[@charliesmith_]

Wonderful Characters and Great Fun to watch. Thank You for sharing this genuinely delightful film. 😊👏 🇬🇧

[@jgsmile1331]

I like Loretta Young movies. Beautiful and talented and wholesome.

How refreshing!🤤

[@sedekiman824]

Integrity is seldom found today.

[@homegown1234]

Yes, but I sure love to see it in these movies and others back in the 40s when it was popular to be morally ethical and decent.

[@ritaturner9906]

Leaving home for first time, even when you want to or it’s exciting, heartbreaking leaving your parents and family. I did well but I returned 3 months later for a visit and when I left it hit me hard. I cried so hard. My mother never shed a tear. Maybe it’s just the way they filmed back then, but they have young Katie sitting so close to that older doctor. Katie should have waited for bus but I imagine $2.53 was quite a savings. If I were Katy, especially as he purposely wrecked his vehicle, I wouldn’t have paid his mechanic. She wasn’t driver. I would have gotten myself a room for night at another motel and took bus in morning. She should have still called police.

[@rivermoon6190]

If you had watched the whole film, the father didn’t let the painter drive his daughter. He let her have a lift with the local doctor to the bus stop (who Loretta was going to work for, when she had completed her nursing course)The painter deliberately followed Loretta’s and picked her up at the bus stop. Her father never knew about him.

@@rivermoon6190 Shame on that painter.

[@homegown1234]

How I hate men like that Otto taking advantage of Katie for a taking her money since he couldn't get anything else from her. What a bum! It 's a good thing her brothers beat the hell out of Otto to come clean with her reputation.

[@kathyspeed1575]

I even watched the old Gypsy Rose Lee show when I was young. Thanks for letting me see this!

[@FrankLowe1949]

This is so nice ❤❤❤

[@leticiarodriguez8241]

Gracias

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

Very enjoyable movie.

[@homegown1234]

Love when there was pride in those that worked hard as farmers and still love politics as the right thing to do to vote for the right candidates.

[@user-by3hx3jx1x]

😍 LOVED EVERY BIT OF THIS MOVIE🎉🎉🎉🥰

[@grandaabanag2751]

Lovely movie😊😊 second time watching😊😊😊

[@terriemartinez9989]

"Marshall Dillon", James Arness as a very young man. 😍 Drew Barrymore looks quite a lot like her Grandmother, Ethel Barrymore. Great movie. Should be viewed in High School Civics. 🕊️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸🎼

[@homegown1234]

Drew Barrymore comes from a well-established great family of good artists of talented actors. The famous chin that Drew Barrymore has is her family physical trade mark.

[@terriemartinez9989]

@@homegown1234 Her cheeks...lol

[@klaatupensacola8996]

One of my fave movies

[@diannemiller1895]

Didn't Loretta win Academy Award for this movie ? The movie itself should hav 🏆!! The story was wonderful ❤

[@hcombs0104]

Yes, she beat out Rosalind Russell, who everybody thought would win for Mourning Becomes Electra.

[@michelleeden2272]

Let's all go to Capital City!

[@revmiguel2000]

Those Swedish boys!

[@nativetxn1]

James Aurness later was billed as James Arness, Marshal Dillon from Gunsmoke. He also played The Thing from the 1950's movie of the same name.

[@vickileonard72]

This is one of my favorite shows 🤗

[@g.christelbecker6349]

rhat was fun, thank you!!!

[@nelsonandrade2925]

Amo demais o canal que me deixa muito feliz 😊 com os melhores filmes, obrigado pela postagem!

[@Savvynlady]

I used to watch this a lot when I was younger. I loved the idea of Loretta Young playing this young daughter(although she was over 30 in real life) and the guy who tried to tarnish her and took her money that should have went to nursing school was a real slime ball and I believe the mother saw it.But it's like a song I know from church. She went through bad but the Lord turned it into something good. In this case, it is true.

[@Lucy00682]

Great movie...too bad our government is represented by the character Finley and of course Finley is Washington swamp.

[@ritaturner9906]

Massive farm in those days. Did they always put house so close to barn and animals? I could see advantages and disadvantages. I think I’d want some distance.

[@sarahb2623]

You'd understand in wintertime! 😊

[@ritaturner9906]

@@sarahb2623 yah I’m sure the pros. 🥰

[@sm_makai]

@@sarahb2623 Especially in Minnesota!

[@homegown1234]

I would have checked that "Otto's reputation" instead of allowing that bum to paint their farm barns and other buildings.

[@ritaturner9906]

@@homegown1234 Right. It’s always a nice family giving someone or unknown a chance and then they get stabbed in the back. Like Elizabeth Smart’s family would hire homeless to work around house, although I also think it was cheap labor. But then that one guy is the one who came back and sadly kidnapped her.

[@glenrobinson916]

What a great story!!!

[@ritaturner9906]

I’ve never heard of Washington D.C. referred to as capital city.

[@Kas8588]

Capital City Washington Not In Washington D C That Was The City Where The School Was.

[@ritaturner9906]

@@Kas8588 The whole movie was centered around Capital City and I think her parents farm was in Virginia. But if you google it, capital city is referred to as Washington DC and the movie ends with her at the capital.

[@kathryncox7697]

Lovely! Great moral to story..

[@crochet99]

I loved this movie

[@juliesmith7669]

Amen to that

[@ritamatthews2942]

I love this movie. It's a shame all they make now is trash

[@luciagiuliano1361]

In lingua italiana grazie

[@monicalifornia_]

Clancy was the perfect straight man.

[@ritaturner9906]

Omg they were talking about living wage back then? I like the getting or giving. In 2024, we are getting and they aren’t giving for majority of people.

[@nativetxn1]

When I started work way back when, the minimum wage was $1.00/hour. After taxes I would take home $30 something. My rent was $40 per month and gasoline cost around $5.00 to fill my 26.5 gallon gas tank.

[@angied7857]

​@@nativetxn1and inflation has taken away all the money. The hidden tax.

[@jgsmile1331]

If only there was honesty in politics and the media now some but not much.

[@leticiarodriguez8241]

Por favor traducir al español latino o en españolme gusta mucho la película pero en inglés no entiendo

[@mattmitchell7350]

I looked her up and found out Clark Gable date R..A..P..E..D her, and a child was born. There is no doubt Judy was his kid.

[@patriciau6277]

I sat on one of USDAs unpaid volunteer boards for 18 years because I believed in what I was doing. I wish people’s today did the same.

[@homegown1234]

I love that they had rent a room board - was ideal for those seeking employment and not enough money so they wouldn't have to stay out in the streets.

[@ritaturner9906]

The way the party threw the painter out with all his garbage made up slander and not giving him any mind should be what bosses should do when employees want to tattle or talk behind back , or bring up fictitious concerns of coworkers. But instead, bosses listen and actually believe the lies. And then aren’t honest and don’t let employees know that someone came in to speak about them. Employee never given chance to defend themselves and the boss moves on believing these made up assumptions because of a coworker with a big ego or jealousy.

[@homegown1234]

It happened to me when I realized the office manager woman was a cheat and liar and ate my salads which I bought five for the week and she ate some of them because she was too damn lazy to bring from home. She was a pain in the butt by asking people going to lunch where they were going. It got so bad - they had to sneak through the back door. I sort of ask her in the beginning if she wanted something but realized she hated me so much. I stopped asking her if she wanted to get her lunch and decided to bring my own lunch salads which she paid me back by stealing my salads - NEVER again learn to stop being nice to shitty people. Why I prefer to eat by myself after that crap I went through with this awful woman. She took advantage of her position and would either be later or not show up due to helping her brother who had cancer but she should have discussed that with our boss that never listen to anyone despite her being a pain in the butt to everyone when they wanted to eat lunch outside without feeling committed to her to bring her lunch. I did her a favor hoping she be nice to the office instead she hated my guts.

[@ritaturner9906]

@@homegown1234 So sorry you went through that. Sounds awful. Those are the kind of toxic situations that give an employee work trauma. You feel helpless, need the job & income and no one willing to help. I feel sorry that she was dealing with family issues, but it’s not an excuse to treat people bad and I’m guessing she was like that before her brother took ill. How long did you endure that? Did she finally leave or did you leave? Now that I’m older, when I’m in a toxic situation, I no longer stay. I only stay as long as it takes me to find another position. Those people never change and always seem to have support of management. God Bless. I hope you are in a happier place.

[@ChrisAthanas]

Amazingly well crafted propaganda, expertly executed, you barely notice it.

[@yakky6052]

How lovely I if governments did have all the parties working together for the good of their people. Utopia.

[@coobay4786]

Looks familiar.

[@roberthilson6327]

Well yes the American's make cheesy movies, but that doesn't stop this one from being a great one.

[@glorybound7599]

Wilson was the beginning of the end of the American dream.

[@leticiarodriguez8241]

Por favor traducir al español latino

[@umbriago9575]

Would it be such a bad thing to show this movie instead of the next drag queen story hour in any school planning on having one? Make sure the parents see it too!

[@charliesmith_]

👏👏👏🎯 yes!!! 👍🇬🇧

[@5ivestring]

Back when I believed in our government

[@runeljungstrommer331]

Hallström, swedish immigrants

[@jgsmile1331]

MTG in congress is like Katie from the movie.

[@Kas8588]

There Is No Comparison Between The Two. MTG Is Not An Honest Person And Is In No Way Representing Al The People.

[@jgsmile1331]

@@Kas8588 your opinion. MTG is honest and loves this country. We support her.

[@lucaluca9704]

​@@jgsmile1331😂😂😂😂

[@petergarayt9634]

If only eh.

[@kah_lan]

It's the "Dear Americans...". It should be like that...Americans, and not of any color.

[@JohnPatco]

Future now is flushed, enjoy.

[@BigSky000]

If you care about democracy, vote for what you value. Vote Green Party, vote Jill Stein. It's time.

[@masada2828]

The Greens are Watermelons.

[@rickolson3114]

Lets keep in mind...this is Hollywood.

[@Kas8588]

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Is Another Movie Of How Things Should Work.

[@debraclarkbrown3264]

B

[@donna-1234]

MAGA thought they were getting a Katie, but got a Mr. Finley instead 🤪

[@coobay4786]

Donna sounds like you're just another puppet for the democratic party. I hope one day you'll actually think for yourself and cut those strings. But I doubt it. You might think about moving south to one of the banana republics. Their politics are a better fit for you.

[@rodrogers6895]

Really? We got: Energy independence High employment among blacks and Hispanics No new wars Low inflation Low mortgage rates. Compare that to Biden😂

[@ritaturner9906]

I feel like this reminds me of democratic establishment. Bernie was our Katy but they refused to support him and kept pushing for who the party wanted.

[@boga5014]

It's so '' Hollywood '' it made me vomit....Incredible cast made it bearable at best ... Loretta Young's fake swedish was bad....A much better Loretta Young movie is The Bishop's Wife.

[@lmcdonald1879]

its like trump 2024 all over again

[@colindyer4810]

One great movie

[@Asterion67]

What a beautiful movie!!!! Thank you!