Frank Capra at his best This movie is an absolute classic. Brave performances by everyone: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck (wonderful here), James Gleason, Edward Arnold, Walter Brennan and so on. The script is excellent. We see the construction of the John Doe myth, since it's created in a reporter's imagination, to its complete success in achieving a great popularity. Then we see the forces behind such a phenomenon, and their own ideas in how to use properly this John Doe character. This was a very brave film in its time, as it shows Police Forces backing D. B. Norton in his corrupt ideals. The film is packed with unforgettable scenes: The arrival of Gary Cooper, The Radio speech, James Gleason eye-opening talk to Gary Cooper, Gary Cooper facing Edward Arnold and his comrades, the raining convention scene (hugely impressive) and even the end of the movie, although many people think it could be better. For, me, at least, it was excellent, as the whole movie.
If you're a Frank Capra fan, you simply can't miss this one.