Our Leading Citizen (1922)

Run Time - 77 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Janiss Garza

This lighthearted political satire marked the first time humorist George Ade wrote a story directly for the screen. The casting of Thomas Meighan and Lois Wilson as the two leads was impeccable. "Lazy Dan" Bentley (Meighan) may be a lawyer by profession, but all things considered, he'd rather be fishing with his friend Cale Higginson (Guy Oliver). Bentley, however, returned a hero from the European War (known by later generations as World War I) and Oglesby Fendle (William P. Carleton), the brother of his fiancée, Katherine (Wilson), talks him into running for Congress. But when Dan realizes that he's supposed to be bought off by certain politicians and special interests, he balks. Instead he becomes determined to win the nomination without the help of the corrupt backers. He creates an unusual campaign, resists Higginson's tempting invitations to go fishing -- and wins the race. He also wins the admiration of Katherine and his future brother-in-law.

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Keywords

citizen, Congress, courage, election, lawyer, refusal, war, winner