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The Great McGinty (1940)

 -  Comedy  -  23 August 1940 (USA)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 1,719 users  
Reviews: 27 user | 21 critic

Dan McGinty has great success in his chosen field of crooked politics. But endangers it all in one crazy moment of honesty...

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Title: The Great McGinty (1940)

The Great McGinty (1940) on IMDb 7.4/10

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Won 1 Oscar. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Dan McGinty
Muriel Angelus ...
Catherine McGinty
...
Allyn Joslyn ...
George
...
Skeeters - The Politician
Louis Jean Heydt ...
Tommy Thompson
Harry Rosenthal ...
Louie (bodyguard)
Arthur Hoyt ...
Libby Taylor ...
Bessy (maid)
Thurston Hall ...
Mr. Maxwell
Steffi Duna ...
The Dancing Girl
Esther Howard ...
Madame Juliette La Jolla
Frank Moran ...
The Boss' Chauffeur (as Frank C. Moran)
Jimmy Conlin ...
The Lookout
Dewey Robinson ...
Benny Felgman
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Storyline

Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city's political machine to help with vote fraud. His great aptitude for this brings rapid promotion from "the boss," who finally decides he'd be ideal as a new, nominally "reform" mayor; but this candidacy requires marriage. His in-name-only marriage to honest Catherine proves the beginning of the end for dishonest Dan... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

HE'LL TAKE YOU...and MAKE YOU LAUGH! (original poster) See more »

Genres:

Comedy

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

23 August 1940 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Biograhy of a Bum  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was Muriel Angelus' last screen appearance. See more »

Goofs

In his victory parade as governor, McGinty rides in a car and it is clear he does not have a mustache. In the next scene, which takes place the same day at the state capitol, he has a mustache. See more »

Quotes

Dan McGinty: [to the Politician about getting paid for multiple voting] Never mind the applesauce. How do I get the bucks?
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Connections

Referenced in The Jerk (1979) See more »

Soundtracks

"Louise"
Written by Richard A. Whiting and Leo Robin
Played on piano
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User Reviews

 
Hilarious political satire
21 December 2000 | by (Brooklyn, New York) – See all my reviews

Preston Sturges's first film as writer-director was this hilarious political satire. Though uneven, it's still filled with remarkable insight and some incredibly apt barbs about political corruption and susceptibility. Akim Tamiroff is hysterically funny as "The Chief," especially when he's marvelling at McGinty (Brian Donlevy) because of McGinty's audacity in being so obstinate. "He thinks he's me," is Tamiroff's line. Sturges himself was acclaimed for his audacity in being a writer-director, paving the way for other Hollywood writers (including John Huston and Billy Wilder) to graduate to directing.


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