It’s a Big Country (1951): Cast & Plot
It’s a Big Country is a 1951 comedy drama directed by John Sturges and Charles Vidor, starring Louis Calhern as Narrator (voice) (uncredited), Gary Cooper and William Powell. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 29m (89 min)
- Directors
- John Sturges and Charles Vidor
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is It’s a Big Country About?
The premise of It’s a Big Country without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Produced by MGM, this eight‑segment anthology mixes entertainment with American propaganda. Narrated by Louis Calhern and framed by a professor’s lecture, it showcases MGM directors, writers and actors. One vignette follows a Boston woman outraged when census omits her, another celebrates African‑American achievements, and a third wryly honors Texas.
It’s a Big Country Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- visual impairment
- boy wears eyeglasses
- all star cast
- ensemble cast
- title cowritten by female
- anthology film
- social drama
- aggressive courtship
- cross cultural marriage
- horseback rider
- letter from dead person
- disabled veteran
+38 more Show fewer
- forbidden romance
- whirlwind romance
- young love
- family comedy
- old women
- anti semitism
- bigotry
- franklin delano roosevelt character
- immigrant
- irish american woman
- texan
- veteran
- war victim
- accidents
- boston massachusetts
- confectionery
- newspaper editor
- friendship
- government official
- impersonation
- secret marriage
- personality change
- professor
- reporter
- schoolteacher
- secret service agent
- student
- train passenger
- sexton
- newsroom
- military
- african american hero
- widowed father
- family farm
- shop owner
- elementary school
- headache
- ice cream shop
It’s a Big Country Cast & Characters
Louis Calhern leads the cast as Narrator (voice) (uncredited), with Gary Cooper as Texas and William Powell as Professor. Directed by John Sturges and Charles Vidor; 28 actors are credited in all.
-
Co-director John Sturges - Co-director Charles Vidor
-
Louis Calhern as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) -
Gary Cooper as Texas -
William Powell as Professor - Fred Santley as Census Bureau Supervisor (uncredited)
Also Starring in It’s a Big Country
· 24 more- Marjorie Main Mrs. Wrenley
- Ethel Barrymore Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan
- Keenan Wynn Michael Fisher
- Janet Leigh Rosa Szabo Xenophon
- S.Z. Sakall Stefan Szabo
- Gene Kelly Icarus Xenophon
- George Conrad Greek Athlete (uncredited)
- Keefe Brasselle Sgt. Maxie Klein
- Van Johnson Rev. Adam Burch
- Fredric March Joe Esposito
- Nancy Reagan Miss Coleman
- Robert Hyatt Joseph Esposito
- Dolly Arriaga Concetta Esposito (uncredited)
- Angela Clarke Mama Esposito
- George Murphy Mr. Patrick Callaghan
- Lewis Stone Church Sexton
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Leon Ames Secret Service Man
- Don Gordon Mervin (uncredited)
- Elisabeth Risdon Diner on Train (uncredited)
- James Whitmore Mr. Stacey
- John Ericson Naval Ensign (uncredited)
- Benny Burt Soda Jerk (uncredited)
- A. Cameron Grant Proprietor of Inn (uncredited)
- Sharon McManus Sam Szabo
It’s a Big Country Plot Summary
What happens in It’s a Big Country from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Eight short, interwoven vignettes form a patient, observant survey of American life, each guided by a distinct director and designed to probe how people think about identity, memory, and the myths that shape a nation. The pieces move from train cars to the White House, from immigrant kitchens to war memories, stitching together personal moments with broader social questions. Across these eight micro-stories, humor, tenderness, and quiet astonishment carry the day as ordinary people wrestle with big ideas.
Full summary
The whole story of It’s a Big Country, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know It’s a Big Country?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the traveling professor questioned about his love for America on the train?
Seen It’s a Big Country?
Movies Like It’s a Big Country
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Big Broadcast of 1936, Be Big! and It’s a Great Feeling.
It’s a Big Country FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of It’s a Big Country, each answered in a sentence.
How long is It’s a Big Country?
It’s a Big Country runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).
When was It’s a Big Country released?
It’s a Big Country was released on November 20, 1951.
Who directed It’s a Big Country?
It’s a Big Country was directed by John Sturges and Charles Vidor.
More films by John Sturges Who is in the cast of It’s a Big Country?
It’s a Big Country stars Louis Calhern as Narrator (voice) (uncredited), Gary Cooper as Texas and William Powell as Professor, among 28 credited actors.
Does It’s a Big Country have a post-credit scene?
No. It’s a Big Country has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
