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.
Find out what the star of "Castle Rock" and "Truth Be Told" thinks you need to be watching.
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Title: Home Town Story (1951)
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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 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
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. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Taglines:
It could happen anywhere!Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
18 May 1951 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Headline Story See more »Filming Locations:
Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USACompany Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Slim Haskins: Let me know when that works!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
According to contemporary articles in Daily Variety, this film was made by a production company named Wolverine Production, under the auspices of the General Motors Corporation, and that it was to be the first of the auto company's "public service productions". No mention of either firm is made in the film and no GM cars are featured outside of the Cadillac driven by "John MacFarland" ( Donald Crisp ). Dore Schary acquired the rights for MGM for a pittance and the studio made a nice little profit off this corporate propaganda. See more »Goofs
The calendar in the newspaper office shows a month beginning on a Wednesday, but the calendar in the police station shows a month beginning on a Monday. The second calendar is seen a day or two after the first, so one might argue it's a new month, but it is impossible for any month to begin on a Monday if the previous month began on a Wednesday. See more »Quotes
Iris Martin: I always treat men with respect so they do the same to me.Slim Haskins: Let me know when that works!
See more »
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"Home Town Story" is a frustrating B-movie from MGM. It has a few excellent story ideas but manages to execute them quite poorly. Despite this, it is watchable.
Jeffrey Lynn plays Blake Washburn--an ex-senator with a serious chip on his shoulder. He's mad he lost the re-election and is bent on punishing the guy responsible. So, as the new editor of a newspaper, he's bent on attacking the MacFarland family business--because the factory owner's son beat Washburn in the election! If Washburn sounds like a petty jerk, then you are correct. In addition to using the paper for his personal vendetta, he seriously ignores his incredibly long-suffering fiancé. Therein lies much of the problem with the film--the main character is unlikable and you really want a piano to fall on his head (or some equally horrid accident). Additionally, the film has a very odd message about economics and capitalism that COULD have been excellent had the message not been hammered home so poorly. Overall, despite the MGM glitz and a few good actors (I like the Washburn kid), it's a film that needed more time to allow the plot to move realistically instead of being so rushed and contrived.