
In this Frank Capra film Gary Cooper plays Long John Willoughby an unemployed man who is duped into becoming an American symbol by DB Norton (Edward Arnold) an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon When Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) is fired by Norton she sends a fake suicide note to the publisher signed by John Doe The letter is picked up by the public as a rallying point since Mr Doe claimed to be so distraught by the problems of society that he would end his life But Norton uses the publicity as part of a secret plan Capra's endearing classic also stars the great character actors Walter Brennan & James Gleason