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The Magnificent Dope

Play trailer Poster for The Magnificent Dope 1942 1h 23m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Unable to drum up interest in his self-improvement courses, Dwight Dawson (Don Ameche) and his press agent fiancée, Claire Harris (Lynn Bari), concoct a contest to locate America's biggest failure. Winner Tad Page (Henry Fonda), who only entered to get the money for a new fire engine for his tiny Vermont hometown, turns out to be perfectly happy with his stress-free life -- but when he falls for Claire, Tad goes along with Dwight's attempts to turn him into an ambitious Manhattan go-getter.

Critics Reviews

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Jose Maria Santos Cine-Mundial An entertaining movie, where Don Ameche and Henry Fonda are inimitable. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 17, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent. Rated: C- Jun 21, 2009 Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena Sempre o sujeito de bom carter, Fonda cativa o espectador - mas a ingenuidade excessiva do filme acaba datando a produo. Rated: 3/5 Jan 22, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RICHARD S A rare opportunity to view Fonda's under-utilized potential for comedy roles. Bari and Ameche are fine support, but it's Fonda's brilliance that shines in this rarely seen piece. A really good piece of early cinema. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/24/24 Full Review Steve D I was embarrassed for everyone involved. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/24 Full Review Audience Member Minor comedy in Fonda's career but a pleasing jaunty one. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Magnificent Dope

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Cast & Crew

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Walter Lang

Director

Henry Fonda

Thadeus Winship "Tad" Page

Lynn Bari

Claire Harris

Don Ameche

Dwight Dawson

Edward Everett Horton

Horace Hunter

George Barbier

James Roger Barker
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The Magnificent Dope

The Magnificent Dope (1942) The Magnificent Dope (1942) The Magnificent Dope (1942) The Magnificent Dope (1942) The Magnificent Dope (1942) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Unable to drum up interest in his self-improvement courses, Dwight Dawson (Don Ameche) and his press agent fiancée, Claire Harris (Lynn Bari), concoct a contest to locate America's biggest failure. Winner Tad Page (Henry Fonda), who only entered to get the money for a new fire engine for his tiny Vermont hometown, turns out to be perfectly happy with his stress-free life -- but when he falls for Claire, Tad goes along with Dwight's attempts to turn him into an ambitious Manhattan go-getter.
Director
Walter Lang
Producer
William Perlberg
Production Co
20th Century Fox
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 23m