Purely Joyful Movie!

Just perfect...

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

This is a jaw-dropping movie. It screams "pre-Code," and causes one to realize the potential power that Hollywood and "The Industry" have at their disposal.I won't relate the plot; that would simply spoil the surprises. Please don't seek out a detailed synopsis before viewing this film. One should be exposed to this Hollywood artifact without any preconceived notions. Know that it is hard-core pre-Code, but not so much regards its sexual content and bloodshed. Think in terms of dirty politics and the millions of disenfranchised tax payers, and then toss in the deepest depths of the Depression.This is a historical document, one that should be studied by historians and sociologists. Like many films, this movie must be viewed within the context of its time. To do otherwise is dishonest.Do you like pre-Code? Do you enjoy historical Hollywood? Do you follow U.S. history? Do you want to experience the sights & sounds, the ranting and ravings, the deepest and darkest secrets of Depression Era folks. THIS FILM IS MUST-SEE VIEWING.

I'm not always a big fan of movie remakes, but every once in a while a film comes along that is just screaming out to be remade...and it seems to me that this is one of those films. The primary reason I think that is because the historical perspective that allows this film to make sense is missing. Few Americans today know of the Wilson-era march on Washington by WWI soldiers, as well as a number of other events that helped frame this movie when it was made back in 1933.Other reviews here outline some of the tapestry of the time -- FDR, the New Deal, and William Randolf Hearst -- so I won't go into that pertinent history, but I do recommend that you read one of the historical blurbs about this film BEFORE watching it...that will clear up a lot of confusion about exactly what's going on here. The Wikipedia synopsis of the film does this quite well, as one example.Another problem with this film, was that it is like so many Pre-Code films where production values were not very sophisticated. Here you will see too-long silences where today they might be some background music.This is not to say that this film will not interest movie lovers, but a modern audience may find it a bit stodgy. I enjoyed it because I have long felt that Walter Huston is a much-forgotten fine actor. Most who do recognize him today see him more as a character actor, but he was a true star at one time, and his performances are almost always quite stellar (including here). It's never totally clear in the film whether the President is receiving divine guidance from Gabriel (or God), or not...though it is clearly implied...and certainly has a sinister note to it...but then again, you must consider William Randolph Hearst's influence here. Spooky!

The film is a sort of modern fairy tale and begins with the inauguration of a new President. This one is COMPLETELY unlike any other president (uh, huh), as he has absolutely no ambition to do or change anything--even though the country is in the midst of the Depression. When he's asked important questions at a press conference, his answers have absolutely nothing to do with what was asked. When there is an army of unemployed who are converging on DC (like the real-life 'Bonus Army' during the Hoover administration), he's shown playing with his young nephew--oblivious and happily so. To put it bluntly, he's a selfish and lazy jerk.When the President is in a motorcade, he behaves very irresponsibly--choosing to drive his own car AND drive it like a maniac. As he drives at 100 miles per hour, his escort can't even keep up and the audience knows something is about to happen. Naturally, there is an accident and he's expected to die. BUT, unexpectedly, he awakens and is physically fine, but is also a thoroughly changed man. Instead of the lazy jerk he'd been, he's now a good man ready for action--even if the Congress and his own Cabinet couldn't care less. Assuming near dictatorial powers, he now does exactly what needs to be done for good of the nation. And, in the process, he introduces an enlightened form of socialism for the good of America. How this all came to be and what happens next you'll just have to see for yourself.The film comes across as a very entertaining and well-meaning film--and clearly a product of the times. While most will no doubt enjoy it, the film scared the crap out of me. Although the film was not meant as a ringing endorsement for National Socialism (i.e., the Nazis), the message could easily be interpreted as approval for such a heavy-handed and all-controlling government that is acting 'for the good of the nation'. While in the case of this film the President is a benevolent dictator, such unhealthy desires for a tough guy who does what MUST be done (despite the Constitution) is a very dangerous idea indeed! Hitler himself sold his nation a similar bill of goods--which looked awfully attractive back in 1933. Hitler ALSO asked his congress to declare a state of emergency, dissolve themselves and grant him almost unlimited powers. At least this is my perspective as a history and government teacher.Well made, well meaning...and a bit dangerous. By the way, for you fans of classic Hollywood films, get a load of the performance of Mischa Auer as a reporter who confronts the President. His usual accent and European manners are just about completely absent here--probably one of the very few times he played a role this way during his career.

This is one of the strangest movies I have ever viewed. Somehow Walter Huston gets elected President of the United States. That in itself is rather far-fetched. Then, after an auto accident, he embarks on a course of action that he, and apparently a majority of people in 1933, viewed as as beneficial. He arrests a gangster named Diamond (I guess it was supposed to be Legs Diamond), and instead of giving him his 4th and 5th amendment rights, he hauls him up before a military tribunal. The gangster is tried, and convicted by a military court. The gangster is then lined up against a wall and shot. I guess people in 1933 thought this was justice. There are many other examples of Un-Constitutional acts by the President. He then threatens Japan, England, France and Germany with war unless they give the United States money. To prove his point he has the Naval Air Force sink a couple of ships. All in all this is bizarre. I wonder where the ACLU was in 1933? Throughout all of his lawless reign, he is cheered and adored by Americans. Oh well, I guess it was a different time in 1933.