MovieChat Forums > Meet John Doe (1941) Discussion > The Anti-Fascist Message (warning spoile...

The Anti-Fascist Message (warning spoilers!)

posted 16 years ago by rcwire
12 replies | jump to latest

I was surprised by the well-crafted sub text... DB Norton wants to create a third party, "there have been enough concessions", "this country needs an iron hand".

And a more subtle reference to Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln as "lighthouses" and that DB Norton wants to turn the lights out... note the black shirts, the uniforms of the "motor corps" and later "Norton's Troopers".

I found this sub text of the film has an antifascist theme.

I also enjoyed the parting remark by Connell about "the people".

OK, you may disagree with my point of view, but there are certain powers that want to overturn the Constitution, rewrite basic freedoms and civil rights....

Their time has gone. It is time now for the People to take back their country.

[–] jdbna 16 years ago

Don't forget the control of the media.
And the drunk city editor who feels guilty about the press letting it happen.

[–] Enrique-8 15 years ago

Good points there, RC

Enrique Sanchez

[–] I_Aint_No_Prophet 14 years ago

Their time has gone. It is time now for the People to take back their country.

It's too bad that the original, anti-establishment incarnation of the Tea Party was co-opted by establishment Republicans who have been using it to achieve their own political agenda. America finally had a genuinely-populist modern grassroots movement that included people from across the political spectrum, and it was hijacked and turned into a farce. Does this mean that the statists win? Not yet, but it sure has made it more difficult for the people to take the power back.

"Why do you find it so hard to believe?"
"Why do you find it so easy?"
"It's never BEEN easy!"

[–] pazuzu-2 14 years ago

It's too bad that the original, anti-establishment incarnation of the Tea Party was co-opted by establishment Republicans who have been using it to achieve their own political agenda.

******************

Yeah, that's why you have mad establishment Republicans being tossed in favor of tea party based candidates. Establishment Republicans and Democrats are unhappy with the TEA party and that's a good thing.

The focus of real greed lies with unrestrained Government.

[–] ljspin 14 years ago

When this film was being made, Hitler in Germany, Mussolini in Italy, and Franco in Spain had already gained and were increasing their power. This film was definitely meant to be a warning against facism.

For those making political comparisons, watch the movie again, and pay particular attention to the main rule of the John Doe Club movement: NO POLITICIAN was allowed to take part. The clubs were ruined when D.B. Norton, a politician, began exerting his power.

The film portrayed a grass roots movement of American people, a movement that let them realize the power they had as everyday people. For those comparing this film to a certain modern grassroots movement, I ask this question. On one hand you have people uniting together for love of their neighbor, helping them find jobs, food, rent, friendship, etc. On the other hand you have a movement where members spend lots of money to attend a convention in a fancy hotel where they spend even more money to hear a certain politician from Alaska speak. Now, which of these is really a grassroots movement that is out for the betterment of America without government involvement, and which is a political movement to gain political power?

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 12 years ago

Being created and funded by right-wing millionaires marks a movement "genuinely populist" and "grassroots"?

"I guess this isn't the right economic climate for an expensive, poorly-trained visionary."

[–] I_Aint_No_Prophet 12 years ago

They didn't create it; they co-opted it. The original Tea Party to which I had referred was a grassroots organization of Ron Paul supporters that sprung up in 2007, well before it became a nationally-publicized sideshow spearheaded by the likes of Sarah Palin.

"Why do you find it so hard to believe?"
"Why do you find it so easy?"
"It's never BEEN easy!"

[–] Errington_92 11 years ago

The anti-Fascist message was evident in the principles of Doe's speeches, coming together as a society rather than isolating one another. John Doe was not the only film to deliver anti-Fascist messages before Pearl Harbor as seen more explicitly in The Mortal Storm (1940).

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] FeloniousMunk 11 years ago

Well, all I needed to see was Edward Arnold talking about a "new order" and I got the message right away. Doesn't take much brainpower to see who...and what...Norton wanted to be, with the backing of wealthy industrialists, big labor, the media, and certain kiss-ass politicos. Those leather-clad, bike-riding "Troopers" were another obvious clue.

D.B. Norton just wanted to be a carbon copy of those other guys in Europe...and once he took over the White House, he was probably all set to make a "peace deal" with Adolf and fight the Commies. War is good for business, doncha know.

Do some homework, folks. The Nazis in this country (and their sympathizers) had their very own John Doe in 1940 and 1941. Perhaps some of you may have heard of him. His name was Charles Lindbergh.

HONK if you love Jesus...
TXT if you want to meet Him...

[–] GMCKINST-1 11 years ago

You are right, a lot of elitists didn't believe the stories of Hitler and Mussolini, even during the war. Lindbergh went over after the war and saw the camps and fell apart realizing what he had been supporting.

Progressives in both parties want to control the people...."for our own good". DO NOT COMPLY !!!

[–] USAFmedicVET 11 years ago

FeloniousMonk:"D.B. Norton just wanted to be a carbon copy of those other guys in Europe...and once he took over the White House, he was probably all set to make a "peace deal" with Adolf and fight the Commies"

Like the 'Munich Agreement' that Chamberlain said would mean "peace for our time" that allowed Hitler to march into Czechoslovakia unhampered?
These events were taking place around the time this movie was produced.
And did anybody notice the blatant anti fascist portion of Mr Connell's drunken speech at Jim's Bar:
Mr Connell: "Listen pal, this 'Fifth Column' stuff is pretty rotten, isn't it?"
John: "It certainly is, Sir"
Very few know what that means today, but apparently every John Doe understood there were Nazi fascists in their midst right here in America.
And, although Lindbergh initially sympathized with Hitler's Aryan message, he wasn't a Nazi spy. I don't think USAF Gen.James Stewart would have played the part of known Nazi and he was in a position to know!

"We in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we Band of Brothers" ~W.S.

[–] grizzledgeezer 10 years ago

It's too bad that the original, anti-establishment incarnation of the Tea Party was co-opted by establishment Republicans who have been using it to achieve their own political agenda. America finally had a genuinely-populist modern grassroots movement that included people from across the political spectrum, and it was hijacked and turned into a farce. Does this mean that the statists win? Not yet, but it sure has made it more difficult for the people to take the power back.

I think you're confused. It's not the "statists" who have too much power. It's business and right-wing religion. "The People" can take back their power when they recognize that business needs to be properly regulated, money has to be removed from politics, and fundamentalists need to be muzzled.