Gabriel Over the White House (1933)
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92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
50% of users liked it
(258 ratings)
In 1933, at the height of the bleakness and desperation of the Depression, MGM released this genuine curiosity piece -- directed by comedy (!) director Gregory La Cava -- concerning a Warren G. Harding-like partisan hand-shaker President of the United States who, after seeing a vision, revokes the… More In 1933, at the height of the bleakness and desperation of the Depression, MGM released this genuine curiosity piece -- directed by comedy (!) director Gregory La Cava -- concerning a Warren G. Harding-like partisan hand-shaker President of the United States who, after seeing a vision, revokes the Constitution, becomes a reigning dictator, and solves all of the nation's problems. Walter Huston plays Judson Hammond, recently elected President of the United States, who treats his elected office as a joke and acts as a dispenser of Party favors. But after an automobile accident, he sees the Archangel Gabriel, who inspires him to declare himself dictator. His first line of business after his conversion is to fire his Cabinet. This leads to impeachment proceedings, but Hammond enters the Senate chamber and takes over the Congress. He then tackles unemployment by meeting with John Bronson (David Landau), the leader of masses of marching unemployed men. When gangster Nick Diamond (Henry C. Gordon) and his goons assassinate Bronson, Hammond uses his brown-shirted storm troopers to blast their way into Diamond's headquarters and blow him away. The President then intimidates the leaders of countries that owe money to the United States to pay their debts then forces them to disarm and pledge world peace. Hammond rapidly becomes the most popular fascist President in United States history. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gregory La Cava
- Written By
- Carey Wilson, Bertram Bloch
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1933 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
Gregory La Cava's 1933 New Deal fantasy is one of the strangest political films to escape the studios.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A unique and somewhat daffy Depression-era comedy New Deal fantasy film.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A classic example of pre-code Hollywood getting away with all kinds of depression-era madness.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Of all the crackpot political films to come out of Hollywood ... this is surely the crackpottest, and must really be seen to be believed.
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Martin Scribbs, Mixed Reviews
Gabriel Over the White House encourages its viewers to live the fantasy of the philosopher-king, but never counts the costs of such a regime.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Walter Huston
as Hon. Judson Hammond
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Karen Morley
as Pendola Molloy
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Franchot Tone
as Hartley Beekman
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Arthur Byron
as Jasper Brooks
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Dickie Moore
as Jimmy Vetter
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C. Henry Gordon
as Nick Diamond
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David Landau
as John Bronson
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Mischa Auer
as Theesen Reporter
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Spencer Charters
as Vice President
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Claire Du Brey
as Nurse
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Samuel S. Hinds
as Dr. H.L. Eastman
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Henry Kolker
as Sen. Langham
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Robert E. O'Connor
as Inspector
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Jean Parker
as Alice Bronson
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William Pawley
as Borell
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Guy Usher
as General
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Walter Walker
as Secretary of War
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John Davidson
as Foreign Diplomat
