Liberal Views on Society Depicted in Frank Capra’s Meet John Doe and Stanley Kramer’s Inherit the Wind

After Watching Frank Capra’s Meet John Doe and Stanley Kramer’s Inherit the Wind it is very easy to see the directors view on topics such as capitalism and fascism. In Each movie they value some thing and throw down other ideas. I feel that both directors take more of a traditional liberal point. I thought that this was clearly shown in both movies when money hungry fat cats or religious leader whom hold more power than the ‘average Joe’ shot down the main protagonist. Although if you’re not paying attention you cannot discover that a message is being sent, but after reviewing such example it is evident that there is a message and bias in these movies. Although some may argue that is it only simply a movie, sublet messages are sent through the basis and line of the story that can be easily recognized.

First Off, In Inherit the Wind, Bert Cates is originally just an average school teacher who teaches evolution in a state where it is illegal to do so. He then is charged and to be tried in a court of law whom Harrison Brady, prosecutor, is a purebred Christian. While Mr. Cates defence lawyer is an atheist. It is a battle between both beliefs but Mr. Cates is seen to be the devil of it all. Just because he wishes to teach something he believes in makes him a bad man. In the Film, the director perceives Mr. Cates to be this average man whom is against them all. Mr. Cates is nothing but a lone soul that must fight against the world for what he believes in.

While in Meet John Doe, Long John Willoughby is shown to be a wreck. He is a homeless man who almost made it to the big leagues but never did because of an injury. He is shown to be a simple man, frustrated with his failure to make it to the big leagues but good at heart. When c...

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...ng any new ideas or values.

In conclusion both inherit the Wind and Meet John Doe are both liberal films that without a doubt support liberal views on society. Throughout my essay I’ve described many of the examples that are present in both films such as abuse of power, non-acceptance of new ideas and shooting down of the average Joe. This are just 3 of the many points that had came up during the movie but are defiantly 3 of the most important. I think this just shows no matter what the movie is or what its about there is always a message. It may take a while to figure it out but there is always a message beneath it all.

Works Cited

Inherit The Wind. Dir. Stanely Kramer. Perfs. Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith. DVD. MGM, 1961

Meet John Doe. Dir. Frank Capra Perfs. Richard Connell, Robert Presnell Sr. DVD Triad Productions, 1941