''The Farmer's Daughter'' is a 1947 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by H.C. Potter that tells the story of a farmgirl who ends up working as a maid for a Congressman and his politically powerful mother. It stars

Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Michaela Young; January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an American actress. Starting as a child, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1989. She received numerous honors including an Academy Awards ...

, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, and Charles Bickford, and was adapted by Allen Rivkin and Laura Kerr from the 1937 Finnish play by Hella Wuolijoki, using the pen name Juhani Tervapää (misspelled in the film's credits as Juhni Tervataa). The film won the

Academy Award for Best Actress The Academy Award for Best Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 1st Academy Awards to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a lead ...

for

and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Charles Bickford. Young's win was considered an upset; everyone had expected Rosalind Russell to win for her Lavinia in ''

Mourning Becomes Electra ''Mourning Becomes Electra'' is a play cycle written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. The play premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on 26 October 1931 where it ran for 150 performances before closing in March 1932, starring Lee Ba ...

''. In 1963, a television series based on the film was produced, starring Inger Stevens, Cathleen Nesbitt and William Windom.

Plot

Swedish-American Katie Holstrom (

) leaves the family farm to attend nursing school in Capitol City. Barn painter Adolph Petree ( Rhys Williams), who completed a job for Katie's father, offers her a ride, then steals her money along the way. Katie, refusing to ask her family for help, goes to work as a maid for political power broker Agatha Morley ( Ethel Barrymore) and her son, U.S. Representative Glenn Morley ( Joseph Cotten). She impresses Agatha and her loyal butler Joseph Clancey ( Charles Bickford) with her refreshing, down-to-earth common sense. Glenn is impressed with her other charms. Unexpected problems arise when the Morleys and the other leaders of their political party have to select a replacement for a deceased congressman; they choose the unscrupulous Anders J. Finley ( Art Baker). Knowing the man's true background, Katie strongly disapproves. At a public meeting to introduce Finley, Katie asks him pointed and embarrassing questions. Leaders of the opposition party are impressed and offer to back Katie in the coming election. Katie accepts and reluctantly quits her job, much to Glenn's disappointment. When Katie's campaign gains support (with some coaching from Glenn), Finley smears her reputation by bribing Petree to claim Katie spent the night with him when he gave her a ride. Katie, distraught, runs home. When Glenn learns the truth, he follows her and proposes. Agatha and Joseph get Finley drunk and he reveals he is a member of an extreme nativist political group and that he bribed Petree, who is hidden away at his isolated lodge, to disparage Katie's reputation. Assisted by Katie's three burly brothers ( James Arness, Lex Barker, Keith Andes), Glenn retrieves Petree from his goon guards, then forces him to confess over the radio. Agatha withdraws her party's support for Finley and endorses Katie, ensuring her election. In the final scene, Glenn carries Katie across the threshold of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...

Cast

In addition, Gus Stavros appears as a background extra in the film.

Production

Because of rumors that Joseph Cotten and Ingrid Bergman were having an affair, Bergman was replaced by Loretta Young.

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on eight reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* *
''The Farmer's Daughter''
on Lux Radio Theater: January 5, 1948 {{DEFAULTSORT:Farmer's Daughter (1947 film), The 1947 films American romantic comedy films 1940s political comedy films 1947 romantic comedy films American political comedy films American black-and-white films American films based on plays Films adapted into television shows Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award–winning performance RKO Pictures films Films directed by H. C. Potter Films scored by Leigh Harline 1940s American films 1940s English-language films English-language political comedy films English-language romantic comedy films