Home Town Story (1951)

After failing to be re-elected, politician Blake Washburn returns home and becomes editor of the local newspaper. When he notices the influence the paper has on the public, he uses it to appeal to potential voters in the next election.

Director:

Arthur Pierson

Writer:

Arthur Pierson

Stars:

Jeffrey Lynn, Donald Crisp, Marjorie Reynolds

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeffrey Lynn	...	Blake Washburn
Donald Crisp	...	John MacFarland
Marjorie Reynolds	...	Janice Hunt
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Slim Haskins
Marilyn Monroe	...	Iris Martin
Barbara Brown	...	Mrs. Washburn
Melinda Casey	...	Katie Washburn (as Melinda Plowman)
Renny McEvoy	...	Taxi Driver
Glenn Tryon	...	Kenlock
Byron Foulger	...	Berny Miles
Griff Barnett	...	Uncle Cliff
Virginia Campbell	...	Phoebe Hartman
Harry Harvey	...	Andy Butterworth
Nelson Leigh	...	Dr. Johnson
Speck Noblitt	...	Motorcycle Officer

Storyline

Blake Washburn blames manufacturer MacFarland for his defeat in the race for re-election to the state legislature. He takes over his uncle's newspaper to take on big business as an enemy of the people. Miss Martin works in the "Herald" newspaper office. When tragedy strikes, Blake must re-examine his views.

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Plot Keywords:

newspaper | boy | politics | cave | secretary | 

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Taglines:

It could happen anywhere!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 May 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Headline Story

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marilyn Monroe was often expected to provide her own wardrobe, a common practice in Hollywood at the time. The sweater with the grey body and black sleeves that she wears worn previously in The Fireball (1950) and in the final scene in All About Eve (1950).

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Goofs

When Blake arrives home, his mother is listening to a radio show that states it is a Saturday afternoon program, but the next morning (which should be Sunday) Katy gets on a bus to go to school.

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Quotes

Iris Martin: I always treat men with respect so they do the same to me.
Slim Haskins: Let me know when that works!

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Connections

Featured in Vampira and Me (2012)

User Reviews

Fair At Best Overall; Does Have Some Points of Interest

Overall, this feature is really only fair at best, but it does have some points of interest. The most common reason why it is still watched today is the appearance of Marilyn Monroe in one of her earlier movie roles, and in fact the cast as a whole features an unusual mix of performers. The story is also mildly interesting as a window into its era.

The supporting cast almost makes it worth seeing by itself. How often do you see the combination of Marilyn Monroe, Donald Crisp, and Alan Hale, Jr. in the same movie? Monroe appears in several scenes, and although only one gives her any significant screen time, she does get the chance to command some attention. Hale is well-cast as the good-natured sidekick. Crisp's talent and experience keeps the last portion of the movie from coming apart. The lively Marjorie Reynolds is also in the cast, but her character doesn't give her many opportunities to show what she can do.

The story line was overtly designed to accommodate the corporate backers of the movie, and now it is really only of interest as a look at some common perceptions of its day. The last part of the movie did have the potential for some fairly effective melodrama, but parts of it become rather labored, and it is mainly thanks to Crisp's restrained performance that it remains watchable.

Jeffery Lynn is cast as the leading character, and while he has his moments, he does not really have the range to make a routine story like this work effectively. He does not make his character very likable or interesting, and as a result his character's perspective is largely trivialized. That plus the rather routine script make it a largely unmemorable movie, aside from the curiosity factor that it offers.