The Magnificent Dope (1942)
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43% of users liked it
(309 ratings)
In order to be permitted to appear in "prestige" items like Grapes of Wrath and The Ox-Bow Incident, Henry Fonda had to agree to appear in such inconsequential fluff as The Magnificent Dope. On its own terms, however, this gentle satire of the "Dale Carnegie" school of self-help… More In order to be permitted to appear in "prestige" items like Grapes of Wrath and The Ox-Bow Incident, Henry Fonda had to agree to appear in such inconsequential fluff as The Magnificent Dope. On its own terms, however, this gentle satire of the "Dale Carnegie" school of self-help is pretty funny. Don Ameche plays Dwight Dawson, the owner of a success school which isn't all that successful. Dawson's secretary-sweetheart, Claire Harris (Lynn Bari), suggests a publicity stunt which might improve business -- if Dawson can make a success out of the laziest man in America, the world will beat a path to his door. After an extensive search, the perfect candidate for Dawson's academy is found: cheerful, laid-back country boy Tad Page, who prefers happiness and serenity to hard work and wealth. In true "reverse procedure" tradition, it is Tad's take-it-easy philosophy, rather than Dawson's "get up and go" dictum, that eventually wins the hearts of the American public. Fourth-billed Edward Everett Horton has little to do other than his inimitable double takes, one of which amusingly closes the picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Walter Lang
- Genres
- Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jul 3, 1942 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent.
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Sempre o sujeito de bom caráter, Fonda cativa o espectador - mas a ingenuidade excessiva do filme acaba datando a produção.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Henry Fonda
as Tad Page
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Don Ameche
as Dwight Dawson
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Edward Everett Horton
as Horace Hunter
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George Barbier
as Barker
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Frank Orth
as Messenger
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Roseanne Murray
as Dawson's Secretary
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Kitty McHugh
as Sadie
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Marietta Canty
as Jennie
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Hobart Cavanaugh
as Albert Gowdy
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Hal K. Dawson
as Charlie
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Josephine Whittell
as Mrs. Hunter
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Arthur Loft
as Fire Engine Salesman
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Chick Chandler
as Reporter
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Paul Stanton
as Peters
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Claire Du Brey
as Secretary
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Harry Hayden
as Frank Mitchell
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Pierre Watkin
as Carson
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Lynn Bari
as Claire Harris
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Gladys Blake
as Another Secretary
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Ralph Brooks
as Man
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William B. Davidson
as Mr. Reindel
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Harry Depp
as Man
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Byron Foulger
as Man
- Kenneth Gibson
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Carey Harrison
as Man
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Frank Jaquet
as Man
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Paul McVey
as John
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Jack Mower
as Man
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Lawrence Wheat
as Man
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Larry Williams
as Man
- Charles Meakin
