Ma femme est un grand homme

Perhaps this is Loretta Young's best film ever, and best performance ever. This attractive B/W classic satire stars Joseph Cotten as her handsome politico boss, Ethel Barrymore as his understanding mother, and an outstanding cast who support their political and romantic involvements. But Katie Holstrom does not begin this film as a candidate nor anyone's fiancée; she begins it on a farm with her large family with a plan to go to school as a nurse in the big city.What happens next is she leaves, and within one day has been bilked of her savings. The need for a job drives her to seek employment as housemaid to a Congressman, Glenn Morley, played by Cotten, and his mother. Ethel Barrymore. Under the house major-domo Charles Bickford, she proves herself to be possessed of charm, common sense, lively intelligence and honesty--qualities which please well when they are not exasperating her employers, unused to such qualities in a world of politicians. Katrin and Glenn find themselves attracted, despite his having a fiancée (Rose Hobart). But when the party's candidate for Congress has to be dumped, it is Katie who somehow gets chosen to run, and wins. The film's climax is Katie's victory, the ending is the romantic pair's arrival in Washington. The values of this award- winning films are not hidden ones. Milton S. Krasner, cinematography, sets by Darrell Silvers and Harley Miller , Edith Head's costumes and many more contribute to the overall effect. The lighting throughout is like a sunny outdoors; and the actors are outstanding. Along with the leads, the director, H.C. Potter, featured Harry Shannon and Anna Q. Nilsson as Katie's parents, Lex Barker, James Arness and Keith Andes as her brawny brothers, Art Baker, Rhys Williams, William Harrigan, Tom Powers, Thurston Hall and many others. The script by Allen Rivin and Laura Kerr adapts Juhani Tervapää's delightful play seamlessly to the screen. The film's pace is interestingly steady and unhurried, its dialogue good or better at all points. The theme of the plot it to be true to oneself; and the story develops this in terms of a time when an individual could be offered as a candidate on the basis of his/her attributes, not of inherited millions. As refreshing as a summer breeze, and often as delightful. This is a classic of anti- Establishment thinking that is only occasionally political at all. Dservedly popular achievement.

Not having seen the movie before, it was a complete surprise to watch it on cable the other night. This film shows that little, if nothing, ever changes in the world of politics. In fact, it could well be compared to this year's presidential contest. The only thing that has changed from the time where this film was done is that in order to win an election in this country, the candidate must be independently wealthy, or have benefactors that are willing to put up the money in exchange of favors down the line, or not be able to run at all.

H. C. Potter's film shows us a slice of what on the surface was an ideal time in America during the 40s, but deep down, this film speaks a lot of what was wrong then, in a subtle way.

Young Katrin Holstrom arrives in Capital City wanting to be a nurse. She has to change plans because when she arrives in the city, she has no money because an unscrupulous man had swindled her out of it. She begins working as a maid at the Morley's mansion. They are the local big name in politics. Mrs. Morley makes candidates, or destroys them. Her own son, Glenn is a Congressman.

All this atmosphere contributes to the growth of Katrin, or Katie, as she is called. She takes an interest in politics and she shows that she can speak and ask the right questions the candidates don't want to answer. The movie shows the dirty side of campaigns, in general, as is the case of with what's happening in 2004 in America.

Loretta Young was perfect as Katrin Halstrom. In this film she out charms everyone that she comes in contact with. Joseph Cotten is as effective as she always was in whatever he appeared in. Ethel Barrymore is Agatha, the rich woman behind the political machine. Charles Bickford is also excellent as Joseph, the butler.

Most movies from that period are sadly dated, but this one keeps the ideals of democracy in check. Bravo to Dory Schary for bringing this movie to the screen.

Loretta Young's Oscar-winning performance in "The Farmer's Daughter" was a major upset in 1947. All the so called experts had predicted that Rosalind Russell would win for "Mourning Becomes Electra." Ms. Young had some hefty competition besides Russell. We had Susan Hayward for "Smash-up: The Story of A Woman," and Dorothy McGuire, for the Oscar winning film, "Gentleman's Agreement"

Nonetheless, Loretta is to be congratulated for her authentic Swedish accent as a maid who works for a Congressman and by the end is elected to that high office herself.

We see corruption in politics;unfortunately, not something unusual even for these times. What makes it somewhat scary is the bigotry that is introduced along with the corruption.

With fine support by Ethel Barrymore, Joseph Cotten and Charles Bickford, "The Farmer's Daughter" is a wonderful movie.

Brilliantly written social comedy drama about a farmer's daughter who ends up in the employ of a congressman, and then ends up running for office herself. Loretta Young was at the height of her powers as the country girl and Joseph Cotten is the congressman. As I have never cottoned to Cotten, I will say nothing about his performance other than I wish someone else -- anyone else -- had been given the role. I never bought Cotton as an actor, especially as a leading man. Ethel Barrymore is Cotten's politically savvy mother, and the supporting cast is first-rate. The film could just as easily have been made in the 1930s, as it has that era's feel. While it takes a simplistic view of Ame4rican politics, it is still delightful to watch. The subsequent TV series with Inger Stevens was not nearly as interesting.

Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten star in The Farmer's Daughter, a 1947 film also starring Ethel Barrymore and Charles Bickford.

Young, in a role originally intended for Ingrid Bergman, won an Oscar for her portrayal of Katie Holstrom, a young woman who lives on a farm with her family. She saves her money and goes off to the big city to become a nurse. Unfortunately, thanks to taking a ride from someone who once worked for her family, she ends up loaning him her money and he won't pay her back. So she takes a temporary job as a second maid in the house of a Congressman (Cotten) until she can save enough for school.

It turns out that Katie is pretty outspoken when it comes to politics and, not only that, knows her stuff. When a congressman dies, Katie goes to a rally for the replacement that the party has put forward and embarrasses him with her questions. Political leaders from the other side are impressed and want her to run against him.

It's always fascinating to me, and a little sad, that films with political themes, no matter how old they are, always seem timely. I guess that's where the term "politics as usual" comes from, though no one adds "for the last hundred years." In this film, 100$ American is described by Finley, the party's candidate, as "white, not foreign born, of the right religion." Now tell me that couldn't be a scene today. The search for dirt is in this film, as is all the back office manuevering.

Loretta Young as a blond is every bit as beautiful as she was as a brunette, and she is a delight as the efficient, intelligent Katie. One can easily see how Joseph Cotten could fall for her. Ethel Barrymore, as Cotten's mother and the widow of a political great, does a wonderful job, strong-willed, clever, and no-nonsense. Charles Bickford, as the family's butler and friend is excellent as tough taskmaster who is nevertheless very impressed with his new charge.

This is a very warm film with a terrific cast that will give you some chuckles and make you realize that the more things change, the more they remain the same - in politics. In movies - well, that's another matter.