The 2022 midterm elections have been particularly controversial, with both sides accusing the other of interference and declaring that the nation’s future rested on the decisions made on November 8. Major political events always make me think of classic films with political themes. While Frank Capra pictures like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) and “Meet John Doe” (1941) might be the first to come to your mind, there are dozens of obscure old movies with themes relating to the American government.
The Story
Katie Holstrom (Young) is the only daughter of a Swedish immigrant farmer in a Midwest state. On her way to the state capitol to go to nursing school, she accepts a ride from a local painter, Adolph (Rhys Williams). After Adolph’s drinking and romantic advances to Katie cause him to get into a car accident, he persuades Katie to loan him her school money to get the car repaired. He then leaves her stranded at a roadside motel and refuses to pay her back when she confronts him in the city. Out of money and insistent on not borrowing more from her family, Katie must get a job. She becomes a maid for the Morley family, who have been a powerful force in the United States Congress for years. She soon endears herself to the no-nonsense butler, Joseph Clancy (Charles Bickford).The lady of the house is Agatha Morley (Barrymore), a congressman’s widow whose son, Glenn Morley (Cotten), is also a congressman. The refined older lady has been an important figure in the state’s politics for years, encouraging first her husband and now her son. Katie quickly proves that she is adept at sizing up the Morleys’ political associates as well as making coffee and scrubbing floors. Glenn isn’t blind to Katie’s wholesome beauty, homespun charm, and affection for him. When another congressman suddenly dies, Katie doesn’t approve of the party’s choice for his replacement: smooth operator A. J. Finley (Art Baker). Before she knows it, the Swedish maid finds herself as the opposition’s candidate for Congress, running against Finley!
Whether you think she deserved the Oscar or not, Loretta’s performance as the perky Scandinavian maid is charming, emotional, and surprisingly deep. She sustains a convincing Swedish accent throughout the movie, which is no easy feat. This unique role is unlike other parts I’ve seen Loretta Young play; she succeeded in embodying an off-type character. Charles Bickford also was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role.
Politics on the Big Screen
It’s rare to see a congresswoman in a classic film, since most of the famous political movies feature all-male Congresses. Although there were at least a few women in both the Senate and the House of Representatives from 1917 onward, many studio bosses, producers, and directors were very traditional men who apparently visualized Congress as comprised of only men. In “The Farmer’s Daughter,” Katie Holstrom runs for Congress against a male candidate, but her sex isn’t really an issue. There were eleven female Representatives in the 1945-47 session of Congress when the film was made, so it would have been rare but not unheard of for a woman to run for this position.Movies with women involved in politics often have a feminist message or conflict, but that’s not the case with this film. Katie is a good American who cares about the welfare of her country and her fellow citizens. She has no aspirations for personal glory, and she certainly doesn’t hold or display feminist views. She is a very feminine young lady who has been trained by her mother in the womanly arts of homemaking and farm chores. Whether she’s doing housework, making a speech, or enjoying her favorite outdoor activities of ice skating and running, she always wears feminine and stylish clothes. In the 1940s, many Americans might have still been a little unnerved by the idea of a female Representative, although it was a reality in many states by that point. However, in this movie, even traditionalists can’t help but appreciate the honest patriotism of this feminine woman.
Politics is one of the main topics to avoid with friends and family because of its inherently controversial nature. Making movies with political themes is treacherous, because they could alienate half the audience if hot topics aren’t handled delicately. During the Golden Era of Hollywood, filmmakers found a brilliant solution to this problem: They avoided specifying characters’ political parties if at all possible. “The Farmer’s Daughter” portrays a heated election in great detail, yet it cleverly avoids mentioning whether the Morleys are Republicans or Democrats. I appreciate that neither the Morleys’ group nor their political opponents are painted as either the “good guys” or “bad guys.” Aside from one or two bad apples, all the politicians are honorable, patriotic Americans. They are striving hard to win, of course, but only Finley and his henchmen stoop to using unethical practices. This story is a powerful reminder that political corruption and slandering of one’s opponents has happened in elections for years, but we can’t be afraid to combat our opponents with the truth.
A Delightful Blend
“The Farmer’s Daughter” is a delightful mixture of many qualities. It’s a coming-of-age story about a young woman who pursues her dreams in the big city. It’s a domestic tale about a cute maid who brightens up a household. It’s a family story, showing the tender interactions of Katie with her parents and brothers as well as Glenn Morley and his mother. It’s a touching romance, as Katie and Glenn find themselves drawn to each other despite their different backgrounds. It’s a comedy, with moments of levity and cute humor throughout. It’s a drama, with serious political issues, corruption, and slander in the mix. Somehow, this movie manages to blend all these elements naturally and seamlessly into an hour and thirty-seven minutes of wholesome entertainment.Take a break from the political news cycle with this delightful escape to 1947. Although the world depicted in this movie seems drastically different from the world in which we live today, we can all learn a lot from these characters. Katie Holstrom has a true servant’s spirit, joyfully serving her family, employers, and the public. She transforms every life she touches, as all those who meet her are inspired by her good example.
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