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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 09/17/2019
An entertaining movie, where Don Ameche and Henry Fonda are inimitable. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 06/21/2009
C-
It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent. Go to Full Review Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena 01/22/2004
3/5
Sempre o sujeito de bom carter, Fonda cativa o espectador - mas a ingenuidade excessiva do filme acaba datando a produo. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RICHARD S Dec 24 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. See more Steve D 01/14/2024 I was embarrassed for everyone involved. See more 12/26/2015 Minor comedy in Fonda's career but a pleasing jaunty one. See more 06/28/2013 It's a dopey Capraesque comedy that is anything but magnificent. See more Read all reviews
The Magnificent Dope

My Rating

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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) 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