THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER

US, 1947, 97 minutes, Black and white.
Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart, Rhys Williams, Harry Davenport, Tom Powers.
Directed by H. C. Potter.

The Farmer's Daughter is a pleasing piece of Americana. Well written and directed, with an ear for the American migrants, for the tones of American corruption and politics, for the optimism of the American dream, the film was very successful in 1947. With a strong cast led by Loretta Young, the film was credible. Loretta Young won the Oscar for Best Actress of the year.

The film is a David O. Selznick production, given his usual careful production values. Joseph Cotten and Ethel Barrymore and Charles Bickford were regulars in films made by Selznick at the time, for example Duel in the Sun, Portrait of Jennie.

The film is interesting in its reflections on the Roosevelt era, the Truman era and attitudes towards politics and honesty after World War Two. The film anticipates some of the political films of later decades.

Rhys Williams has a good role as a villain: James Arness, Lex Barker and Keith Andes can be seen in early roles as Loretta Young's brothers. Direction is by H. C. Potter who directed routinely entertaining films from Mr. Lucky to Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House to Three for the Show.

1. The classic status of the film: the production. the issues. Loretta Young's Oscar win? The television series later?

2. Selznick production: black and white photography, locations and studio, finesse, the stars, the score?

3. The film's screenplay based on a play? The transfer to the screen? Strength of character-drawing. situations. the strong verbal content of the film?

4. The American dream - the '30s and the Depression, the New Deal, Roosevelt's contribution? The implications of the war? Depression and war? American freedom, free speech, anti-fascism? Political opportunism and corruption? The possibilities of political say and freedom for all?

5. The title and its tone? A symbol of the American dream?

6. The initial focus on the farm, the farmer, the boys and their work, Katie and her going to nursing? Migrant families: strengths, values, cultural traditions, language and accent? The backbone of the land?

7. The importance of the Katie- Adolph episode? Adolph and his painting, drinking, giving Katie a lift, saving her money, costing her money, the night and the ambiguities, his leaving, her confrontation? His later use of it? The background of the organisation, his lies, opportunism, getting the money from Finley? His being re-taken by the brothers? His confession of the truth?

8. Loretta Young's strength and presence as Katie? An Oscar winning performance? At home, going to the city? Her getting a job? The initial encounters with Mr. Clancy, her plain talk, making good coffee, appreciation by the Morleys, her expressing her opinions on politics, her knowledge and background? Her dislike of Miss Thatcher? Her condemnation of Mr. Johnson? The family liking her, Mr. Clancy liking her? Her place in the family - getting Glenn his breakfast, the number of uniforms, the skating episode - and her looking after Glenn, massaging him? Her being persuaded to stay to look after Agatha? Her anticipation of Glenn's return, the cake, her fainting - by mistake? Her opposition to Finley's nomination? The establishing of an interesting and strong character?

9. Her going to the meeting, asking Finley the question, the newspaper reports, the opposition's interest? Her having to leave the house? Agatha confronting her as regards the political campaign? The Opposition proposing that she go to Congress? The tuition? The brothers getting rid of the tutor, Glenn giving help? The collage of the campaign and Katie's sincerity, the increasing percentage?

10. The breaking of the scandal, Agatha consenting, the political machine consenting? Glenn reacting and resigning? The lengths to prove the truth? Virginia Thatcher and her being beaten by publishing the scandal?

11. Glenn in himself, the family background, his mother and her strength, father and his role as a Senator (his portrait, values, the text of his speech rehearsed by Katie)? The love of politics? Attracted to Katie, falling in love, skating -the massage? Going to Europe? The argument? Helping her with her speech? His resignation for her? Going to the farm, the proposal, her father's reaction and judging him from his photo, his fighting for Katie, to get Adolph? His endorsing Katie? Their going to Congress together? A portrait of the upright American politician?

12. Ethel Barrymore’s strength and presence as Agatha? Her hold on party politics, the machine, on her son? The election, the joy of winning? The meetings, the nominations? Her bets with Joseph? Her agreeing to dirty fights? Her reaction to Finley? Getting him drunk and extracting the truth? Supporting Glenn? Going on radio to endorse Katie? Her response to Katie's recitation of her husband's speech? A strong American woman?

13. Mr. Clancy, his harshness, liking Katie, role in the house, the butler, the confidante? Devotion to the Senator? Devotion to Agatha? His bets? Coaching Katie? Calling out 'Fish for sale!' at the meeting? His final support of Katie?

14. The background of the politicians, their meetings, nominees, corruption? Journalists? The publishing of scandals?

15. Finley and his fascist organisation - and his bigotry as regards race, American-born, creed etc.? Agatha's denunciation of him and his being thrown out by Joseph?

16. Themes of American politics, freedoms, equality? The presentation of the finer standards of the American way of life?