Loretta Young Just Fine as ‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ 1947

 

As "The Farmer's Daughter," Loretta Young leads a fine cast in this 1947
romantic comedy: Joseph Cotten, Charles Bickford, and Ethel Barrymore.

In my sixth decade, I finally got around to watching the 1947 film The Farmer’s Daughter. I avoided this romantic comedy my entire movie watching life, thinking it silly and sappy.

While The Farmer’s Daughter is a total fairy tale, it is presented as such. The RKO comedy tweaks the premise, offering a wink at its "farmer's daughter" references, since Katie Holstrom is a Swedish Cinderella who makes good. The situations are totally unrealistic, but the dialogue and attitudes are surprisingly smart and forward-thinking for the era.

Loretta Young is "The Farmer's Daughter," who leaves her big family for the big city!

Young’s Katie leaves her farm home for the “capitol city” to become a nurse. The small town girl doesn’t even make it from the bus stop before getting conned out of her savings, by a boozy businessman. Katie finds work at the capital as a maid for the political Morley family. Her refreshing no-nonsense energy ends up charming the entire family, especially the politician son. Through a series of fanciful situations, Katie ends up running for congress! But there are a few bumps along the political stump before Katie Holstrom ends up a winner in every way.  

A bump in the road for "The Farmer's Daughter" is when she takes a ride from this bum!

There's a Frank Capra feel to this movie, with populist political attitudes spoon-fed with a bit of cinematic sugar. Message moviemaker Dore Schary produced this film, which may be the reason. It raises the modern eyebrow that a movie made over 75 years ago brings up the issues of a living wage, politicians paying more attention to their donors than constituents, mudslinging, etc. Some things never change!

Don't worry, this "Farmer's Daughter" doesn't dress in hand-me-downs for long!

The topic that always takes over The Farmer's Daughter was Loretta Young's surprise Oscar win in the title role. The consensus was that Rosalind Russell would win, also for RKO, with Mourning Becomes Electra. This was back in the day, when studios swayed their votes toward their own nominees. So, it was a shock that the studio didn't win for their favored nominee. As for the remaining noms, Joan Crawford waited 20 years since arriving in Hollywood to win an Oscar for Mildred Pierce two years before, so she wasn't gonna get a second one two years later for Possessed. Dorothy McGuire, a fine actress, wasn't even nominated for such recent roles in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Enchanted Cottage, or The Spiral Staircase. Frankly, she only got nominated for her leading lady type role in Gentleman's Agreement because it was a "prestige" picture. That leaves Susan Hayward in Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman. Hayward got raves for her first nominated role, but perhaps the insider rumors that the film was a take-off on “beloved” Bing Crosby’s unhappy marriage to alcoholic Dixie Lee hurt her chances. Also, Susan waited as long as Joan to get her first Oscar. 

Loretta Young's surprise Oscar win overshadowed the charms of "The Farmer's Daughter."

That left Loretta Young, in the rare comedy performance that wins an Academy Award.  Was The Farmer’s Daughter an Oscar-winning performance? The short answer is no. But Young is in very good form here, playing with strength, spirit, and good humor as Katie. Her character is not the butt of jokes, and she perseveres and speaks her mind. A scene where Katie practices with a speech from the Morley family’s late senator to practice her English and public speaking is wonderfully done by a subtle Young.

A lovely scene in "The Farmer's Daughter," when Katie reads the late senator's speech.

Though this not being a realistic style film, I wish someone would have asked Loretta to tone down her glamour mask a bit. Ingrid Bergman, the original choice as Katie, certainly would have, as she often did when playing non-glamour roles. When she's asked about her life on the farm, Young's farm girl describes her indoor and outdoor chores in close-up, which is amusing to think of her harvesting crops and livestock in full makeup! Loretta Young could have certainly dialed it back a bit without losing her allure. Loretta had the natural looks that are so coveted and created by cosmetic procedures today: huge cat eyes, full lips, and high, rounded cheekbones. Also, her modest wardrobe is quickly replaced with stylish, form-fitting Edith Head maid frocks and later political outfits.

"The Farmer's Daughter" is the best-dressed maid in the capitol city!

But Loretta Young’s comedic performance is played straight with no winks to the audience. Which makes her character even more endearing, and you will be rooting for her as she goes from farm girl to house maid to political candidate.

Joseph Cotten was underrated during his era as an actor. Often cast for his warm charm, he usually got his best notices when cast as the villain, like Shadow of a Doubt. But his style was very natural in an era when leading men were hyper-masculine, especially post-war when stars like Heston, Lancaster, and Douglas were intense and often anti-heroes. Of course, as Glenn Morley, the politician son from a political family, he is instantly taken by maiden Loretta, which is a bit icky by today's standards. But Cotten pulls it off. Cotten plays the romantic comedy aspect smoothly and is empathetic in the more serious moments.

Joseph Cotten makes a very appealing leading man in "The Farmer's Daughter."

Ethel Barrymore as Cotton’s political matriarch Agatha brings style and droll humor to her role. And Charles Bickford is cast in curmudgeonly mode as the family butler Joseph, who instantly takes to Katie, despite her high spirited ways. Cotton, Barrymore, and Bickford play off each other well as the political household. And they are all charmed in their own way by Katie, who has worked her way into their hearts.

Katie wins the day and election in 1947's "The Farmer's Daughter." Loretta Young
 with Joseph Cotten and Charles Bickford.

As Katie's brawny brothers, James Arness, Lex Barker, and Keith Andes supply the muscle. During the big brawl at the finale, James Arness was indeed a giant of a hero, stacking up the bad guys like fire wood.

As for Loretta's accent, the voice coach who taught Ingrid Bergman to lose her Swedish accent taught Young hers. As for Young's accent, while I'm no expert, it sounded fine without being distracting. Note that Katie’s brothers are accent-free except for a few “yahs.”

These are the brawny brothers of "The Farmer's Daughter":
James Arness, Lex Barker, and Keith Andes.

The naysayers of The Farmer’s Daughter will pick away at the fairytale plot, Loretta's accent, or the politics not being to their liking. Watched with an open mind, it's a charming, bright movie.

As "The Farmer's Daughter," Katie is plain-spoken and often outspoken!