I love propaganda films. I don't care how dated and cheesy they can be. I'm fascinated by how they try to do whatever it is they are trying to do, even when I don't at all agree with their communication goals. If you watch this movie purely as an example of propaganda, and are aware of what was going on in the USA when the film was released (1951), you will enjoy it, even as cheesy as it can be. What I love about this film in particular is that it's not just a rah-rah-USA-we're-fabulous film, but it's a challenge to viewers as well, asking the people of the USA a number of things, including if they understand that it's the racial and ethnic diversity of this country that makes the USA so special, if they will fear change or embrace it, and if they can let go of long-held prejudices. If you aren't fascinated by propaganda, then you will enjoy the film at the very least if you are a movie buff: so many, many big names! My favorite: Fredric March, who is absolutely aDORKable. What I wondered after watching it: could a similar film be made now? And what would it look like?
