It's a Big Country
1951Comprised 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.
Acted in
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)