It's a Big Country

Comprised of eight unrelated episodes of inconsistent quality, this anthology piece of American propaganda features some of MGM Studios' best directors, screenwriters and actors; it is narrated by Louis Calhern. Stories are framed by the lecture of a university professor. In one tale a Boston resident becomes angry when the census forgets to record her presence. Another sketch chronicles the achievements of African Americans while still another pays tongue-in-cheek tribute to Texas.

5.3

89 min

Cast

Ethel Barrymore

as Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan

Keefe Brasselle

as Sgt. Maxie Klein

Gary Cooper

as Texas

Nancy Reagan

as Miss Coleman

Van Johnson

as Rev. Adam Burch

Gene Kelly

as Icarus Xenophon

Janet Leigh

as Rosa Szabo Xenophon

Marjorie Main

as Mrs. Wrenley

Fredric March

as Joe Esposito

George Murphy

as Mr. Patrick Callaghan

William Powell

as Professor

S.Z. Sakall

as Stefan Szabo

Lewis Stone

as Church Sexton

James Whitmore

as Mr. Stacey

Keenan Wynn

as Michael Fisher

Elisabeth Risdon

as Diner on Train (uncredited)

Sharon McManus

as Sam Szabo

Angela Clarke

as Mama Esposito

Robert Hyatt

as Joseph Esposito

John Ericson

as Naval Ensign (uncredited)

Louis Calhern

as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Leon Ames

as Secret Service Man

Benny Burt

as Soda Jerk (uncredited)

George Conrad

as Greek Athlete (uncredited)

Don Gordon

as Mervin (uncredited)

A. Cameron Grant

as Proprietor of Inn (uncredited)

Fred Santley

as Census Bureau Supervisor (uncredited)

Dolly Arriaga

as Concetta Esposito (uncredited)

Director

Don Weis

John Sturges

Charles Vidor

Richard Thorpe

Clarence Brown

William A. Wellman

Don Hartman