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OF COURSE, the goodness of the cause can last only so long. D B Norton, the tycoon who owns the New Bulletin, has been secretly funding the John Doe movement to exploit its raw political power. His plan is discovered by his hard-nosed editor Connell who, despite his efficient service to Norton, cannot abide his boss’s abuse of the public’s goodwill. Connell reveals Norton’s intentions to John, who insists the movement is strictly apolitical and that his adored Ann would never be part of such a racket. Connell clearly likes John and takes no pleasure in undeceiving him: in a speech that Ann has just written for him, in which he will address thousands of club members at a national convention, John Doe will endorse Norton for president.
The scales fallen from his eyes, John crashes the pre-convention dinner Norton is hosting for his powerful accomplices. Also present at the dinner is Ann, whom Norton has informed of his intentions, with an expensive diamond bracelet to strengthen her loyalty. As Norton is giving final instructions to the political, labor, and industry bigwigs, John enters without notice. Hearing Norton speak of establishing a ‘new order of things’ confirms his worst suspicions. For the first time in the movie, we see Long John fully active: no longer the passive puppet, he announces to the embarrassed party that he will prevent the John Doe movement from being hijacked. Despite the threats of Norton, he will confess to the thousands gathered at the convention the truth of the matter, even if it means exposing his complicity in the lie.
In this pivotal scene, we can see for the first time John Willoughby’s virtues. When he discovers that Norton and his companions are perfectly happy to see the John Doe movement destroyed, he recognises the extent of their ruthlessness. The John Doe Clubs have brought happiness and hope to millions of people who, like his fictional character, had given up on finding justice in the world. Norton is happy to destroy John and the movement inspired by him so long as he can conceal his cynical self-interest. In spite of Norton’s threats, John is willing to confess his guilt. He will abase himself before the multitude to save a beautiful idea that he believes in. After a passionate and authentic defence of the principles of neighbourly love and forgiveness, John bravely escapes Norton’s house and hurries to the convention. Ann’s entreaties that she come with him he coldly ignores.
As brave as Long John is, he is no match for the power of Norton and his cronies, who seem to have prepared for this eventuality. After John arrives at the convention to tell his side of the story, Norton’s men circulate newspapers claiming he is a fake. With the strength of his minions, Norton presses to the stage and falsely claims that John made up the story to enrich himself from the John Doe Club dues. John attempts to defend himself but in vain. In front of the crowd, he admits that he never wrote that first letter nor did he have any intention of jumping off a building. The audience are stunned but are still willing to listen to him. Just as John attempts to reveal his side of the story, Norton’s men cut off his microphone. Voices from the audience denounce him as a fraud. In a mere moment the whole crowd turns against him, including his most loyal supporters such as Bert the soda jerker. John is battered with debris and boos, standing in the rain like a fool, ‘crucified’ says Ann, who, held captive by Norton’s men, listens to the fiasco on the radio.
At this point in the movie, John is utterly alone. All that he hoped for is lost. Gone are the John Doe movement, his reputation, and any future with the woman he loves. No longer the beloved everyman who gave hope to millions across the country, he is a reviled nobody. Yet unlike before, when he dreamed of returning to professional baseball in the protective comfort of anonymity, this nobody is held in contempt by millions who once put their trust in him. It is no matter that his intentions were good, or that he sacrificed himself for their well-being.
To be continued
