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My Son John

Play trailer Poster for My Son John 1952,  2h 2m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 40% 10 Reviews Tomatometer 25% 50+ Ratings Popcornmeter
40% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 25% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Wholesome American husband and wife Dan and Lucille are disgusted when their son, John, a government worker, begins exhibiting pro-Communist tendencies. Despite his parents' interrogations — and the intervention of a government worker who tells the couple their son is an undercover spy — John maintains his innocence, but it soon becomes clear that he is lying. John eventually has a change of heart about his unpatriotic deeds, but it may be too late.

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Jul 24, 2019
Its intentions are of the highest calibre; unfortunately the entertainment qualities are not. Go to Full Review
Joseph Jon Lanthier Slant Magazine Aug 21, 2012
Leo McCarey's sociopolitical hysterectomy finally hits home video in a Blu-ray that appears downright ashamed of its contents. Go to Full Review
James Baldwin The Devil Finds Work May 1, 2024
Nothing can possibly redeem so grisly a species of sentimental dishonesty, but Robert Walker's gleefully vicious parody of the wayward American son does a great deal to demystify it. Go to Full Review
Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Jan 15, 2022
My Son John proves once again that Hollywood believes the only way to tackle a "problem" film is to belabor a point even at the sacrifice of realism. Go to Full Review
Manny Farber The New Leader Sep 15, 2021
It is done with such earnestness as to be slow-moving, but the actors are masters of intricate timing and intonation and have the easy spontaneity and control to put across a story that is mostly talk in parlor, bedroom, and bath. Go to Full Review
Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 28, 2019
... the implications of the story may prove distasteful to many a ticket - buyer who thoroughly detests the horrors of a police state. Go to Full Review
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My Son John

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Leo McCarey

Director

Helen Hayes

Lucille Jefferson

Robert Walker

John Jefferson

Van Heflin

Stedman

Dean Jagger

Dan Jefferson

Minor Watson

Dr. Carver

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My Son John

My Son John (1952) My Son John (1952) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Wholesome American husband and wife Dan and Lucille are disgusted when their son, John, a government worker, begins exhibiting pro-Communist tendencies. Despite his parents' interrogations — and the intervention of a government worker who tells the couple their son is an undercover spy — John maintains his innocence, but it soon becomes clear that he is lying. John eventually has a change of heart about his unpatriotic deeds, but it may be too late.
Director
Leo McCarey
Producer
Leo McCarey
Screenwriter
Myles Connolly, Leo McCarey
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 8, 1952, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 1, 2015
Runtime
2h 2m
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