Meet John Doe1941Meet John Doe
1941
Fired reporter Ann Mitchell invents a letter from a "John Doe" who promises to jump from City Hall on Christmas Eve. When it causes a sensation, the paper hires a down-and-out pitcher to play him, and the fake becomes a national movement.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A fraud grows into a real movement of neighborliness, and both the drifter and the reporter repent. Capra unmasks those who would use goodness for power.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The story begins with a faked suicide letter and ends with John on a rooftop ready to jump; he is talked down by those who love him, so be ready to discuss it, especially with little ones. Ann's lie drives the plot, and she repents and confesses; drinking and smoking.
Meet John Doe (1941)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Was it wrong for Ann to make up the letter? What happened because of it?
- Why did John agree to the plan?
- What did Mr. Norton really want?
- Why did John change his mind on the roof?
Content advisory
Movieguide and IMDb (via WebSearch): a suicide threat and an attempted jump (prevented); drinking and smoking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Meet John Doe Blu-ray
Blu-ray · May 21, 2024
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.