Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President (1939)

User Rating:

2.7/10   

Director:

Robert B. Sinclair

Writers:

Melville Baker (writer)
Damon Runyon (story)

Release Date:

1 December 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | President | Character Name In Title

Cast

Ann Sothern	...	Ethel Turp
Lewis Stone	...	The President
Walter Brennan	...	Jim
William Gargan	...	Joe Turp
Marsha Hunt	...	Kitty Crusper
Tom Neal	...	Johnny Crusper
James Bush	...	Henry Crusper
Don Costello	...	Fred
Muriel Hutchison	...	Francine La Vaughn aka Jennie
Jack Norton	...	Parker
Aldrich Bowker	...	Mike O'Brien
Frederick Burton	...	Bishop Bannon
Al Shean	...	Father Reicher
Robert Emmett O'Connor	...	Pat Donegan
Cliff Clark	...	Garage Owner

Runtime:

USA:70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Quaint and sentimental story about getting the President to right an injustice.

I saw this movie only once -- as a boy. It was a long time ago, and I have often reflected on it, for I was immediately struck then by the way in which the movie, against the backdrop of the Oval Office and the weighty matters of State, portrays an ordinary man and wife. They are, of course, beset with their own everyday trials and tribulations and partake of the common household petulance married folk practice against each other every day -- even though in the White House. I didn't know it then, but these ordinary citizens in their ordinary garbs and demeanors contrast to the more formal and staid affairs of the Presidency was an instance of irony. I laughed then at these juxtapositions; the scenario was funny. The business that brings this couple to seek the aid of the President, however, was sad. Their neighborhood mail carrier had lost his job because he had presumed to withhold a registered letter from one of the residents on his route. The reason he withholds the letter involves issues of the heart. He cared for this resident, a woman he had once loved -- perhaps still does. The letter contained news about the woman's son, who was a constant source of grief for her. Knowing the news was bad, the mail carrier destroys the letter and loses his job. Joe and Ethel Turp then call on the President to set things right. I'd like to see this movie again and hope that some day it will come out on DVD or video tape. Ah, well . . .