The Magnificent Dope (1942)

40% of users liked it
(305 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 is pretty funny. Don… 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Walter Lang
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 3, 1942 Wide
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent.
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.

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Cast

            Henry Fonda as Tad Page

            Don Ameche as Dwight Dawson

            Edward Everett Horton as Horace Hunter

            George Barbier as Barker

            Frank Orth as Messenger

            Roseanne Murray as Dawson's Secretary

            Kitty McHugh as Sadie

            Marietta Canty as Jennie

            Hobart Cavanaugh as Albert Gowdy

            Hal K. Dawson as Charlie

            Josephine Whittell as Mrs. Hunter

            Arthur Loft as Fire Engine Salesman

            Chick Chandler as Reporter

            Paul Stanton as Peters

            Claire Du Brey as Secretary

            Harry Hayden as Frank Mitchell

            Pierre Watkin as Carson

            Lynn Bari as Claire Harris

            Gladys Blake as Another Secretary

            Ralph Brooks as Man

            William B. Davidson as Mr. Reindel

            Harry Depp as Man

            Byron Foulger as Man

            Kenneth Gibson
            
            Carey Harrison as Man

            Frank Jaquet as Man

            Paul McVey as John

            Jack Mower as Man

            Lawrence Wheat as Man

            Larry Williams as Man

            Charles Meakin
            
See full cast

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