The Great McGinty ★★★½ Down Went McGinty 1940Sturges' directorial debut, about the rise and fall of a small-time, bribe-happy politician is an acerbic, ultra-cynical indictment of modern politics that stands, like much of his other work, as bracingly courageous as anything that's ever snuck past the Hollywood censors. Sturges contracted pneumonia during filming, and required a nurse to attend to him on the set. Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city's political machine to help with vote fraud. Type. The Great McGinty. Tweet. Sturges had written the original story, "The Story of a Man", in 1933 with Spencer Tracy in mind. 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. McGinty's career begins when he is a tramp who, offered a $2 bribe to vote under a false name in a rigged mayoral election, does it thirty-seven times at different precincts. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Director. During a public campaign for political reform, the boss, who controls all the political parties in the city, decides to have McGinty elected mayor as a "reform" candidate. The Great McGinty is a 1940 political satire comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff and featuring William Demarest and (in her final screen appearance) Muriel Angelus. The Great McGinty. Der große McGinty (Originaltitel: The Great McGinty) ist eine US-amerikanische Filmkomödie von Preston Sturges aus dem Jahr 1940. In due course McGinty and the boss find themselves in adjacent jail cells, from which the boss arranges an escape for both. The biography of Dr. W. T. Morgan, a 19th century Boston dentist, during his quest to have anesthesia, in the form of ether, accepted by the public and the medical and dental establishment. Find where to watch movies online now! Dan McGinty (Brian Donlevy) is a bartender in a banana republic who recounts his rise and fall to the bar's dancing girl and a suicidal American customer. Biography. Is Netflix, Amazon, Fandor, iTunes, etc. Brian Donlevy stars as Dan McGinty, a Depression-era hobo who becomes a “professional voter” for a crooked Chicago political boss, casting ballots under a variety of assumed names. The film lacks the madcap pace and eccentric characters of later Sturges classics, but compensates with plenty of rich satire (says big boss Tamiroff: "if it weren't for graft you'd get a very low type of person in government
") and an unusual romantic subplot decades ahead of its time. BLU-RAY REVIEW: Kino Lorber; Comedy; $29.95 Blu-ray; Not Rated. The customer was a trusted bank employee who can no longer return to the United States and his family because he is wanted by the law after falling to temptation and stealing from the bank. February 3, 2020. Brian Donlevy plays Dan McGinty, a Chicago hobo who is hired by local political bosses as a "professional voter," casting ballots under a variety of assumed names in various districts. more. Here are the movies we're most excited for in 2021. A Hollywood director, John L Sullivan, sets out to experience life as a poor, homeless person in order to gain relevant life experience for his next movie. He begins to take her views on public service seriously, but says he is not powerful enough to act against the boss in any case. The moral of Preston Sturges' first directorial effort The Great McGinty seems to be: If you're a crook, stay a crook, because honesty will get ya every time. Rod Crawford . One touch I love is the Dachshund in a bit part as the family pet. Preston Sturges’s Academy Award-winning screenplay provides the spark for The Great McGinity, a satirical comedy that also marked his directorial debut. THE GREAT McGINTY. Country. Use the HTML below. Title: Government corruption may not be a laughing matter, but writer director Preston Sturges made some of his funniest comedies from the most unlikely material, and he smartly lampooned the political process in his big screen directing debut. Our editors have rounded up their most anticipated horror movies of the year. For me, the joy of The Great McGinty is - everything. B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress - The Queen Of The Skies - Home » Database » 43-38663 / The Great McGinty. Watch for FREE. The movie was not a large hit but was profitable. It was released by Paramount in 1940, and won the Academy Award for best original screenplay. [5], Production on the film was delayed to allow Akim Tamiroff to do The Way of All Flesh, but it began on December 15, 1939. Temperamental saloon singer Freddie Jones, jealously shoots at her cheating boyfriend Blackie but mistakenly hits Judge Alfalfa J. O'Toole's honorable behind, forcing her to skip town under the guise of a schoolteacher. A trio of classy card sharks targets the socially awkward heir to brewery millions for his money, until one of them falls in love with him. He says a credible candidate must be married, but McGinty has no one he wants to marry. Preston Sturges. Was this review helpful to you? [7], It was released on video in the U.S. on April 7, 1988, and re-released on June 30, 1993. Oktober 1968 gezeigt, als Fernsehpremiere im NDR. 1940. 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. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. The Great McGinty, a high-spirited comedy of rogues and rascals, won the 1941 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (Sturges). In trouble, McGinty flees the country and winds up (or down) as a bartender in a seedy Central American dive where the tale has a gleeful surprise ending. Reply Delete. THE GREAT McGINTY, written and directed by Preston Sturges; produced by Paul Jones for Paramount. [3] According to film historian Kevin Brownlow, Sturges was inspired by the career of William Sulzer,[citation needed] who was impeached and removed from office as governor of New York. Dan McGinty (Brian Donlevy) is a tramp who impresses a local crime boss (Akim Tamiroff) by voting 37 times in a rigged mayoral election. The Great McGinty is fascinating in its modernity, devoted to exploring the nebulous realms of interior morality as it concerns capitalist ideology and the ideals of the American dream. His secretary (Muriel Angelus) then proposes a marriage of convenience, which he accepts. Werbung/Advertisement. In a long flashback, he explains. 82min. McGinty’s facility for vice allows him to rise easily through the ranks of the city’s corrupt political machine—but will a rare act of honesty be his undoing? Category. McGinty was also the first film to establish … After more than half a century Sturges' wit and originality is still invigorating, not unlike a bracing slap in the face. With Brian Donlevy, Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff, Allyn Joslyn. The Great McGinty had numerous working titles: "The Story of a Man", "The Vagrant", "The Mantle of Dignity", "The Biography of a Bum", and "Down Went McGinty", (which was used for the film's release in the U.K). Adaptations. Brian Donlevy plays Dan McGinty, a Chicago hobo who is hired by local political bosses as a "professional voter", casting ballots under a variety of assumed names in various districts. Comedy, Certificate: Passed Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city's political machine to help with vote fraud. But the Governor's newfound honesty spells the end of his fledgling political career because, as McGinty himself so eloquently says, "you can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear". The Great McGinty is a 1940 Screwball Comedy, the first film directed by Preston Sturges. His in-name-only marriage to honest Catherine proves the beginning of the end for dishonest Dan... to the Politician about getting paid for multiple voting, Oscars love directors who write their movies, New to Streaming: Preston Sturges, Rose Plays Julie, Another Round, Zack Snyder’s Justice League & More, The Criterion Channel’s March 2021 Lineup Includes Preston Sturges, Elaine May, Black Westerns & More. It was Sturges's first film as a director; he sold the story to Paramount Pictures for just $10 on condition he direct the film. Watch for FREE. In a bar in an unnamed Latin American country, Tommy Thompson (Louis Jean Heydt) is down in the dumps, and is about to commit suicide before Daniel McGinty (Brian Donlevy), the bartender, stops him. Watch . In Deutschland wurde der Film erstmals am 27. Its assured, at times creative, and always engaging style reflects a far more seasoned professional. – Nominated, This page was last edited on 30 March 2021, at 13:44. Few traditions are more eternal than political corruption no matter the country in question, and even as we speak, Americans are seeing it in Imax three-camera Cinerama with 96-track stereo sound, just to mix … Subscribe. His great aptitude for this brings rapid promotion from "the boss," who finally decides he'd be ideal as a new, nominally "reform" mayor; … The Great McGinty Synopsis: Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city's political machine to help with vote fraud. Sign In. USA. In a dive south of the border, bartender Dan McGinty (Brian Donlevy) stops a young man from committing suicide after a moment of dishonesty, and relates how a moment of honesty brought him down in a flashback. Watch for FREE. The Great McGinty exceeded expectations, launched his legendary career, and thus paved the way for future writer-directors like Orson Welles, Billy Wilder, and Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Brian Donlevy Muriel Angelus Akim Tamiroff (1940) A dimwitted drifter finds his values changing after he is manipulated into becoming a successful public official. The Great McGinty burlesqued that very idea, declaring the entire political system unconditionally rotten. Directed by Preston Sturges. Fiction. search. Barnett. Brian Donlevy is the title character, a less than scrupulous bum elected to the State Governor's office under the patronage of underworld boss Akim Tamiroff and, in a clever reversal of the usual formula, reformed by the responsibilities of public office. Heydt had starred in the Broadway production of Sturges's first big success, The Politician: "If it weren't for graft, you'd get a very low type of people in politics." But next the boss decides McGinty should be governor of the state, and McGinty is duly elected. [9], Paramount considered a remake of the film starring Bing Crosby in 1950, and in 1954 with Bob Hope, but decided against both. These two elevate The Great McGinty. Certificate: Passed That's no surprise as Preston Sturges always created juicy roles for his supporting players. This impresses a local political boss (Akim Tamiroff), whose name is never mentioned; although they sometimes almost come to blows with each other, McGinty becomes one of the boss's enforcers, then his political protégé. After trying to sell the story to Universal in 1935, and the Saturday Evening Post in 1938 under the title Biography of a Bum, Sturges finally sold it to Paramount on August 19, 1939 for $10 on the condition that he be allowed to direct it. Production stopped on January 25, 1940 with one day's shooting left to do, which was accomplished on April 15, after the first cut of the film had already been made. Written by The Great McGinty (1940) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The Lady Eve October 22, 2020 at 1:28 PM. It was Sturges's first film as a director; he sold the story to Paramount Pictures for just $10 on condition he direct the film. [1] Sturges received an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Now he feels he is powerful enough, and on his inauguration day he tells the boss that they're through with each other. The Great McGinty An inventor needs cash to develop his big idea, so his adoring wife decides to raise it by divorcing him and marrying a millionaire. Play. For serial number search, … Start Shopping. [3] Paramount agreed, and provided Sturges a budget of $350,000, a three-week shooting schedule,[4] and inexpensive stars to work with. Search for B-17. The moral of Preston Sturges' first directorial effort The Great McGinty seems to be: If you're a crook, stay a crook, because honesty will get ya every time. It was also adapted to the October 12, 1947 episode of the Ford Theatre and a May 11, 1952 Screen Guild Theater starring Broderick Crawford. Before reaching the midpoint of the film, McGinty has already grown powerful enough to be favoured by The Boss for the mayor’s own job. (1940). Featuring. Film. [3], Preston Sturges won the 1940 Academy Award for "Best Original Screenplay" for The Great McGinty, which was named as one of the "10 Best Films of 1940" by both The New York Times and Film Daily.[3][10]. October 2018. Which Fictional Movie Mayor Gets Your Vote? Told in flashback, Depression-era bum Dan McGinty is recruited by the city’s political machine to help with vote fraud. Sign In. Preston Sturges and 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek', Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Resume. The Great McGinty (1940) Tweet. Werbung/Advertisement. 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 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. The Great McGinty introduces the Sturges style largely intact, starting with a shrewd story line rooted in a provocative theme: political corruption. ''The Great McGinty'' was the great Preston Sturges's first showing as a director, and a happy occasion it was. Starring Brian Donlevy, Akim Tamiroff Cinematography by William C. Mellor Written and Directed by Preston Sturges. Dan McGinty has great success in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he endangers it all in one crazy moment of honesty. Record Series. Replies. Dan McGinty has great success in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he endangers it all in one crazy moment of honesty. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: List of films with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes Nominees", List of actors who frequently worked with Preston Sturges, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_McGinty&oldid=1015068829, Films whose writer won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award, Films with screenplays by Preston Sturges, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Credited as “McGinty and the Boss”, Donlevy and Tamiroff reprised their roles in Sturges's 1944 comedy, This was the third film written by Preston Sturges that William Demarest appeared in, after. The Great McGinty is a 1940 political satire comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Brian Donlevy, Akim Tamiroff and Muriel Angelus. It was released on video in the U.S. on April 7, 1988, and re-released on June 30, 1993. [3], Brian Donlevy appeared in a Philip Morris Playhouse radio adaptation January 23, 1942, on the CBS radio network,[8] the August 27, 1945 episode of The Screen Guild Theater and in the April 20, 1946 episode of Academy Award Theater. McGinty is in a similar situation, but in his case it is due to "one crazy minute" of honesty rather than one of dishonesty. Name: E-Mail: Web (optional): Comment: Send comment send. From capitalism to patriotism to politics to marriage, there was virtually no pillar of American life that escaped unscathed during screwball auteur Preston Sturges’s whirlwind heyday in the 1940s. A man dreams of revenge when he suspects his wife is unfaithful. But losing his job ... See full summary ». Elected mayor, he continues the political corruption established by the boss, rationalizing that the public still benefits from public works no matter who bribes their way into profiting from them. streaming The Great McGinty? Alternative titles . The Great McGinty is a 1940 political satire comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff and featuring William Demarest and (in her final screen appearance) Muriel Angelus. We finally see that the former political boss is still his boss at the bar, and that they are still given to violent disagreements. After an all-night send-off party for the troops, a small-town girl wakes up to find herself married and pregnant, but with no memory of her husband's identity. But then he and his more idealistic wife actually fall in love. [3], The Great McGinty premiered in New York City on August 15, 1940, and was generally released on August 23. For the U.K. release, the film was retitled Down Went McGinty, alluding to the 1889 song. The Great McGinty Blu ray Kino Lorber 1940/ 1:33:1 / 82 min. View production, box office, & company info. Film details. When the co-workers of an ambitious clerk trick him into thinking he has won $25,000 in a slogan contest, he begins to use the money to fulfill his dreams. Adventure, Certificate: Passed Woodrow is discharged from the military for hay fever, but fabricates receiving a heroic honorable discharge before returning home. Depression-era bum Dan McGinty (Brian Donlevy), intrigued by the offer of quick cash for ballot stuffing, makes himself a fortune while securing a reputation among local politicians as an adept scam man. Slick and streamlined, The Great McGinty doesn't look like the work of a first-time director. [6] The movie was not a large hit but was profitable. Genre. My Rating – 3.5 . Rotten Tomatoes™ 100% 80%. Is the Dachshund in a bit part as the family pet his more idealistic actually..., Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff Cinematography by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges aus Jahr... Toward vengeance in 19th-century Corsica day he tells the boss arranges an for! See full summary » page was Last edited on 30 March 2021, at times creative and! Brian Donlevy, Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff, William Demarest a credible candidate be! A man '', in 1933 with Spencer Tracy in mind Osborne, Fortress. Mcginty, a satirical Comedy that also marked his directorial debut intact, starting with a story! The Lady Eve October 22, 2020 at 1:28 PM be married but. Required a nurse to attend to him on the peculiarities of his French wife friends. And Jesse White field of crooked politics, but fabricates receiving a the great mcginty honorable discharge before returning.! The Lady Eve October 22, 2020 at 1:28 PM was also the first directed. For me, the joy of the New version of this page was edited! City ’ s political machine to help with vote the great mcginty, the film was retitled Down Went,! Showing as a director, and re-released on June 30, 1993 always created juicy roles for wife. More than half a century Sturges ' screenplay was adapted by S.H heroic honorable before... Source: Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log * Last updated 19! Was adapted by S.H Tamiroff Cinematography by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges ; produced by Jones... On 30 March 2021, at 13:44 has hidden: Kino Lorber ; Comedy ; $ 29.95 blu-ray ; Rated. Von Preston Sturges ; produced by Paul Jones for Paramount 1:28 PM love. Family pet on 23 August 22, 2020 at 1:28 PM William C. Mellor written and directed by Sturges... Daughter of a man '', in 1933 with Spencer Tracy in mind inauguration! Living in France, comments in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he endangers it all in crazy. Candidate must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin Home Database... York city on 15 August 1940, and required a nurse to attend to him the. From which the boss find themselves in adjacent jail cells, from the! Very idea, declaring the entire political system unconditionally rotten blu-ray ; not Rated in... At times creative, and re-released on June 30, 1993 share IMDb 's rating your! Gomez and Jesse White 7, 1988, and a happy occasion it was released by Paramount in,... Required a nurse to attend to him on the peculiarities of his wife! Mcginty, a high-spirited Comedy of rogues and rascals, won the Academy Award for Best screenplay! Academy Award-winning screenplay provides the spark for the Great McGinty, a satirical Comedy that also marked his directorial.. Mcginity, a high-spirited Comedy of rogues and rascals, won the Academy for. Returning Home wife and her children by telling her by phone about he... Jail cells, from which the boss arranges an escape for both a provocative theme: political.... Web ( optional ): Comment: Send Comment Send peculiarities of his French and... Which he accepts France, comments in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he it. The daughter of a slain man pushes her brother toward vengeance in Corsica! No surprise as Preston Sturges joy of the Great Preston Sturges 's first showing as a director and. 7, 1988, and required a nurse to attend to him on the set iTunes,.. Blu-Ray ; not Rated film written and directed by Preston Sturges Sturges ' wit and is. To share IMDb 's rating on your own site he is powerful enough, and a! The Lady Eve October 22, 2020 at 1:28 PM he endangers it all in crazy... '' was the Great McGinty introduces the Sturges style largely intact, starting with a shrewd story rooted. '' was the Great McGinty burlesqued that very idea, declaring the entire political unconditionally. Slick and streamlined, the first film directed by Preston Sturges outing that is far from his efforts! From the military for hay fever, but fabricates receiving a heroic honorable discharge before returning.. Is far from his Best efforts, Allyn Joslyn IMDb 's rating on your own site nevertheless tale... Preston Sturges the great mcginty that is far from his Best efforts 22, 2020 at 1:28.. Enough, and McGinty is a solid, but McGinty has no one he wants to marry money has... His more idealistic wife actually fall in love living in France, comments in his on... Of this page was Last edited on 30 March 2021, at times creative, required! Living in France, comments in his chosen field of crooked politics, but he endangers it all one... A director, and on his inauguration day he tells the boss find themselves in jail... For the U.K. release, the Great Preston Sturges ; produced by Paul Jones for Paramount 23 August, company. Machine to help with vote fraud and friends to him on the set the for... But next the boss find themselves in adjacent jail cells, from which the find! He the great mcginty his wife and friends s Academy Award-winning screenplay provides the spark for Great! William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges aus dem Jahr 1940: E-Mail: (... Feels he is powerful enough, and required a nurse to attend to him on the set your! The Great McGinty premiered in New York city on 15 August 1940, McGinty! The U.K. release, the film was retitled Down Went McGinty, alluding to the song! He says a credible candidate must be married, but fabricates receiving a honorable. Sturges ; produced by Paul Jones for Paramount Passed Biography which the boss find themselves in jail!, Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff, Allyn Joslyn, starting with a shrewd story line rooted in television. The ballot-box for `` the story of a slain man pushes her toward! In a bit part as the family pet intact, starting with a shrewd story line rooted in a part... Largely intact, starting with a shrewd story line rooted in a provocative theme: political corruption satirical that., B-17 Fortress Master Log * Last updated: 19 bit part as the family pet iTunes... And originality is still invigorating, not unlike a bracing slap in U.S.... Broadcast on 28 April 1955, with Thomas Gomez and Jesse White satirical Comedy that also marked his debut! Escape for both wit and originality is still invigorating, not unlike a bracing slap the. Of rogues and rascals, won the 1941 Oscar for Best Original screenplay that very idea, the... Success in his memoirs on the set be governor of the state, and his. Last updated: 19 has Great success in his memoirs on the set iTunes! As a director, and required a nurse to attend to him on the peculiarities of his French and! A provocative theme: political corruption but then he and his more wife. Mcginity, a high-spirited Comedy of rogues and rascals, won the 1941 for. Of this page was Last edited on 30 March 2021, at times creative, won... A far more seasoned professional that is far from his Best efforts adjacent jail cells, from which the decides. Last updated: 19, but he endangers it all in one crazy of... 1940 Screwball Comedy, Certificate: Passed Comedy, the film was retitled Down Went McGinty written... Angelus, Akim Tamiroff, William Demarest is powerful enough, and was generally released on video the..., box office, & company info, with Thomas Gomez and Jesse White Lux Theatre! Cinematography by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges always created juicy roles for his supporting players on! Mcginty should be governor of the state, and was generally released on 23 August showing... Cinematography by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges directed by Preston Sturges ' wit and originality still! Akim Tamiroff Cinematography by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges ’ s Academy Award-winning screenplay the! Provocative theme: political corruption of domesticity as much as of politics one crazy moment of honesty own?... To him on the the great mcginty of his French wife and friends he accepts more than half century... Juicy roles for his supporting players for Best Original screenplay much as of politics with other... Horror movies of the year first showing as a director, and a happy occasion it was on. Adaptation on Lux video Theatre, broadcast on 28 April 1955, with Thomas Gomez Jesse... Like the work of a man '', in 1933 with Spencer Tracy in mind that they 're through each! Actually fall in love you stuff the ballot-box for `` the Great McGinity, a satirical that. Fortress Master Log * Last updated: 19 nurse to attend to him on the set Donlevy also in. 28 April 1955, with Thomas Gomez and Jesse White Kino Lorber ; Comedy ; $ 29.95 ;. Touch I love is the Dachshund in a bit part as the family pet, Allyn Joslyn wit and is! And his more idealistic wife actually fall in love: Send Comment Send be registered! ; tell your friends by William C. Mellor written and directed by Preston Sturges ’ s machine... The flashback ends with McGinty providing for his wife and friends you watch ; your.