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The Farmer's Daughter (1947 film)

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The Farmer's Daughter
theatrical release poster
Directed byH. C. Potter
Written byAllen Rivkin
Laura Kerr
Based onJuurakon Hulda (play)
by Hella Wuolijoki
Produced byDore Schary
StarringLoretta Young
Joseph Cotten
Ethel Barrymore
Charles Bickford
CinematographyMilton R. Krasner
Edited byHarry Marker
Music byLeigh Harline
Production
company
Vanguard Films
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release dates
  • March 25, 1947 (1947-03-25) (Premiere-New York City)[1]
  • March 26, 1947 (1947-03-26) (U.S.)[1]
Running time
97 minutes
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.3 million (US rentals)[2]

The Farmer's Daughter is a 1947 American comedy film directed by H.C. Potter that tells the story of a farmgirl who ends up working as a maid for a Congressman and his politically powerful mother. It stars Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, and Charles Bickford, and was adapted by Allen Rivkin and Laura Kerr from the 1937 Finnish play Juurakon Hulda by Hella Wuolijoki, using the pen name Juhani Tervapää (misspelled in the film's credits as Juhni Tervataa).

The film won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Loretta Young and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Charles Bickford. Young's win was considered an upset; everyone had expected Rosalind Russell to win for her Lavinia in Mourning Becomes Electra.

In 1963, a television series based on the film was produced, starring Inger Stevens, Cathleen Nesbitt and William Windom.

Plot

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Swedish-American Katie Holstrom (Loretta Young) leaves the family farm to attend nursing school in Capitol City. Barn painter Adolph Petree (Rhys Williams), who completed a job for Katie's father, offers her a ride, then steals her money along the way. Katie, refusing to ask her family for help, goes to work as a maid for political power broker Agatha Morley (Ethel Barrymore) and her son, U.S. Representative Glenn Morley (Joseph Cotten). She impresses Agatha and her loyal butler Joseph Clancey (Charles Bickford) with her refreshing, down-to-earth common sense. Glenn is impressed with her other charms.

Unexpected problems arise when the Morleys and the other leaders of their political party have to select a replacement for a deceased congressman; they choose the unscrupulous Anders J. Finley (Art Baker). Knowing the man's true background, Katie strongly disapproves. At a public meeting to introduce Finley, Katie asks him pointed and embarrassing questions. Leaders of the opposition party are impressed and offer to back Katie in the coming election. Katie accepts and reluctantly quits her job, much to Glenn's disappointment.

When Katie's campaign gains support (with some coaching from Glenn), Finley smears her reputation by bribing Petree to claim Katie spent the night with him when he gave her a ride. Katie, distraught, runs home. When Glenn learns the truth, he follows her and proposes.

Agatha and Joseph get Finley drunk and he reveals he is a member of an extreme nativist political group [3] and that he bribed Petree, who is hidden away at his isolated lodge, to disparage Katie's reputation. Assisted by Katie's three burly brothers (James Arness, Lex Barker, Keith Andes), Glenn retrieves Petree from his goon guards, then forces him to confess over the radio. Agatha withdraws her party's support for Finley and endorses Katie, ensuring her election. In the final scene, Glenn carries Katie across the threshold of the United States House of Representatives.

Cast

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In addition, Gus Stavros appears as a background extra in the film.[4]

Production

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Because of rumors that Joseph Cotten and Ingrid Bergman were having an affair, Bergman was replaced by Loretta Young.[5]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10.[6]

Awards and nominations

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Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards Best Actress Loretta Young Won [7]
Best Supporting Actor Charles Bickford Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Farmer's Daughter: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  2. ^ "Top Grossers of 1947", Variety, 7 January 1948 p 63
  3. ^ (Per the actual movie)
  4. ^ Robert Trigaux (September 15, 2012). "In stepping back, legendary philanthropist Gus Stavros leaves a void". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Cotton, Joseph Vanity Will Get You Somewhere 2000 iUniverse
  6. ^ "The Farmer's Daughter (1947)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  7. ^ "The 20th Academy Awards (1948) Nominees and Winners". Oscars.org. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
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