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:

politician | girl | puppy | female teacher | pupil | 

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Taglines:

It could happen anywhere!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite retrospectively being dubbed a "Marilyn Monroe movie" when sold on home video, Monroe only appears in the film for around four minutes total.

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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.

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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

Seriously flawed.

"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.

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:

General Motors Corporation, Wolverine Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1