American Madness
American Madness

Movie spotlight

American Madness

1932
Movie
76 min
English

Socially-conscious banker Thomas Dickson faces a crisis when his protégé is wrongly accused of robbing the bank, gossip of the robbery starts a bank run, and evidence suggests Dickson's wife had an affair... all in the same day.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users92%
Director: Frank CapraGenres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Plot Summary

A bank president, facing sabotage from a competitor and distrust from his employees, finds himself in a desperate situation. As rumors of insolvency spread, he must race against time and public panic to prove his bank's stability and his own integrity. The film captures the anxieties of the Great Depression and the resilience of the American spirit.

Critical Reception

American Madness was well-received upon its release, praised for its timely subject matter and Capra's energetic direction. It resonated with audiences during the Depression era, offering a narrative of hope and perseverance. Critically, it was lauded for its compelling performances and its commentary on financial institutions and societal trust.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful portrayal of banking during the Depression.

  • Lauded for Frank Capra's dynamic directorial style.

  • Walter Huston's performance as the embattled bank president was highly acclaimed.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's relevance to economic hardship and its inspiring story of resilience. Viewers often commend the strong performances and the effective depiction of community solidarity in the face of financial crisis.

Fun Fact

The film was originally titled 'The Whole Town's Talking' but was changed to 'American Madness' to capitalize on the public's fascination with bank failures during the Great Depression.

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