Vintage Video: Meet John Doe (1941)

The screenplay, written by screenwriter Robert Riskin, was derived from a 1939 film treatment, titled The Life and Death of John Doe, written by Richard Connell and Robert Presnell (the recipients of the film's sole Academy Awards nomination for Best Original Story). The treatment was based upon Connell's 1922 Century Magazine story titled A Reputation (collected in Apes and Angels). With all-time persuasive performances by both Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper, this sobering film remains an important social commentary. Cooper won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Sergeant York (1941) in the same year. Stanwyck's role as a sassy journalist (similar to Jean Arthur's part in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)), was originally considered by actresses Ann Sheridan and Olivia de Havilland.

Mevio | October 27, 2007

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