Plot: A broke newspaper makes a naive hobo into a folk political hero, but shadowy forces are out to manipulate his influence to their own ends.
Remember how in The Big Lebowski, the titular tycoon hollers "The bums always lose!" at the Dude? Well, the bums win (sort of) in Capra's Meet John Doe. Barbara Stanwyck stars as a reporter who, trying to save her job after a takeover, invents a suicidal working stiff who uses her column to detail his discontent with the world around him. Her 'John Doe' unexpectedly catches on in a big way, so the newspaper finds a suitably malleable hobo, played by Gary Cooper, to take on the persona of the working-class philosopher. However, as the movement grows bigger and bigger, with inspired citizens forming John Doe clubs and organising a third party, Cooper begins to feel uncomfortable with his new, artificial, influence. Added to this, the newspaper's sinister proprietor (go-to guy for evil politician/businessman roles, Edward Arnold) seems to have shadowy designs of his own for the new movement.
