The Farmer’s Daughter 1947
Directed by
Joe Gilbert
Made by
RKO Radio Pictures
The Farmer’s Daughter Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Farmer’s Daughter (1947). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Swedish-American Katie Holstrom [Loretta Young] leaves the family farm to attend nursing school in Capitol City, eager to build a life beyond the fields. When barn painter Adolph Petree [Rhys Williams] offers her a ride, he quickly turns selfish, stealing her money along the way and forcing her to confront hardship on her own. Rather than ask her family for help, she takes a steady, independent path and finds work as a maid for political power broker Agatha Morley [Ethel Barrymore] and her son, U.S. Representative Glenn Morley [Joseph Cotten]. Katie’s unpretentious, down-to-earth common sense quickly earns Agatha’s respect and the discreet approval of the loyal butler Joseph Clancy [Charles Bickford], while Glenn is struck by her charm and resolve.
When their party must name a replacement for a deceased congressman, they choose the unscrupulous Anders J. Finley [Art Baker]. Katie’s sharp questions at a public meeting reveal Finley’s troubling true nature, and her fearless probing earns the sympathy and backing of the opposition, who offer to support her in the upcoming election. Katie makes the difficult choice to quit her job, a move that leaves Glenn torn between his political career and his growing affection for her.
As Katie’s campaign gains momentum—with Glenn quietly guiding her strategy—Finley retaliates with a smear, bribing Petree to claim Katie spent the night with him after he gave her a ride. Devastated, Katie returns home, and Glenn, ever supportive, follows and proposes, trusting in their shared future.
The opposition, led by Agatha and Joseph, presses the pressure further. Finley, drunk and exposed, reveals he is part of an extremist native-aligned faction and admits the bribery scheme, while Petree remains hidden at a remote lodge. Katie’s brothers—[James Arness], [Lex Barker], and [Keith Andes]—join Glenn in a daring operation to recover Petree, force a confession on the air, and turn public opinion toward Katie. As the confession unfolds on the radio, Agatha withdraws her support for Finley and publicly endorses Katie, sealing her political victory.
In the final, moving scene, Glenn carries Katie across the threshold into the United States House of Representatives, a quiet testament to resilience, integrity, and the power of principled leadership.
The Farmer’s Daughter Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Farmer’s Daughter (1947) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Katie leaves the farm to attend nursing school in Capitol City
Katie Holstrom leaves her family farm to pursue nursing in Capitol City, seeking independence and a new start. Her journey marks the beginning of a difficult quest to build a life on her own terms. Along the way, she faces new challenges that will shape the course of her future.
Petree offers a ride and steals her money
On the way to Capitol City, Adolph Petree offers Katie a ride and takes the money she had saved for her new life. The betrayal forces her to continue on without family support. She resolves to move forward on her own.
Katie becomes a maid for Agatha Morley and her son Glenn
Unable to contact her family, Katie finds work as a maid for Agatha Morley and her son, U.S. Representative Glenn Morley. Her down-to-earth honesty and pragmatism quickly win the respect of Agatha and the loyal butler Joseph Clancy, and Glenn is taken with her. She navigates the political household while staying true to herself.
Katie challenges Finley at a public meeting
When the party must appoint a replacement for a deceased congressman, Finley is publicly introduced. Katie asks him pointed questions at a public meeting, exposing his questionable background. The opposition is impressed and offers to back her in the election, prompting her to reconsider her current position.
Leaders select Finley to replace the deceased congressman
Leaders of the party decide to replace the deceased congressman with Anders J. Finley, despite warnings about his unscrupulous past. Katie strongly disapproves of the choice. The decision sets up the race that follows.
Opposition backs Katie; she quits Morley employment
With Finley chosen, Katie's campaign gains momentum as the opposition offers to back her. She accepts their support and resigns from Agatha Morley's household, much to Glenn's disappointment. Her independence grows as she moves toward running her own campaign.
Katie's campaign gains momentum; Finley sabotages with a smear
As Katie's bid gains traction with Glenn’s coaching, Finley tries to derail her by smearing her reputation. Finley bribes Petree to claim Katie spent the night with him after he gave her a ride. Katie is distraught as the allegations threaten her momentum and integrity.
Katie returns home after the smear
Distraught by the false accusation, Katie runs back to her family home. Glenn learns the truth and follows her, offering support and a proposal. This personal turn deepens their bond and shifts the focus of the story toward authenticity.
Agatha and Joseph trigger the confession by Finley
Agatha and Joseph get Finley drunk and he reveals his extreme nativist ties. He admits he bribed Petree to disparage Katie. The confession exposes Finley’s true character and weakens his campaign.
Glenn and Katie's brothers retrieve Petree and force confession on radio
With Katie’s three burly brothers, Glenn tracks down Petree and frees him from Finley’s guards. Petree is forced to confess on the radio, revealing the bribery behind the smear. The truth turns public opinion in Katie’s favor.
Agatha withdraws support and endorses Katie
Agatha withdraws the party’s support for Finley and officially endorses Katie. This endorsement secures crucial political backing and strengthens Katie’s path to election.
Katie is elected; final scene with Glenn
The story ends with Katie winning the election and Glenn carrying her across the threshold of the United States House of Representatives. Their victory embodies a rise from farm girl to public servant. The scene seals a new chapter for Katie and her partner in Capitol City.
The Farmer’s Daughter Characters
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Katie Holstrom (Loretta Young)
A Swedish-American farm girl who becomes practical and persuasive in public life. She leaves home to attend nursing school and later steps into the political fray, using honesty and common sense to challenge corrupt tactics. Her decision to campaign signals a bold move beyond traditional expectations.
Glenn Morley (Joseph Cotten)
A U.S. Representative who admires Katie’s candor and becomes her ally in a man’s world. He navigates political pragmatism while supporting her rise, balancing ambition with a protective instinct. His proposal to Katie marks a personal commitment that mirrors his political trust.
Anders J. Finley (Art Baker)
An unscrupulous party-backed candidate whose true character is masked by political charm. He is exposed as a member of an extreme nativist group and is willing to smear opponents for power. His bribery of Petree drives the central conflict and tests Katie’s integrity.
Agatha Morley (Ethel Barrymore)
A powerful political broker who initially supports Finley but plays a pivotal role in the campaign’s turning point. She and Joseph orchestrate the reveal that forces Finley to lose party support. Her influence helps steer the party toward backing Katie.
Joseph Clancy (Charles Bickford)
A loyal, steady butler who embodies discretion and dedication to his employers. He provides a stabilizing presence in the Morley household and supports Katie’s endeavors from behind the scenes. His loyalty helps the political operation run smoothly.
Adolph Petree (Rhys Williams)
A barn painter whose ride becomes a pretext for a bribery scheme. He is manipulated by Finley and hidden away at a remote lodge, illustrating how ordinary individuals can be drawn into corrupt plots. His actions catalyze the public confrontation that drives Katie’s campaign.
Peter Holstrom (James Arness)
One of Katie’s three burly brothers who backs her campaign with strength and family loyalty. He participates in the effort to retrieve Petree and defend the family’s honor during the political crisis. His presence emphasizes the solidarity of kin in times of public pressure.
Olaf Holstrom (Lex Barker)
Another of Katie’s brothers, bringing physical presence and familial support to the campaign. Olaf stands with Katie against the smear campaign, reinforcing the theme of family as a source of courage. His involvement helps shift the momentum in Katie’s favor.
Sven Holstrom (Keith Andes)
The third Holstrom brother who joins the campaign efforts with physical prowess and loyalty. He helps confront the challenges posed by the antagonists, underscoring the importance of collective family action in public life. His role complements his siblings’ support for Katie.
Mrs. Holstrom (Anna Q. Nilsson)
Katie’s mother-figure within the Holstrom family who anchors household resilience amidst political turmoil. She embodies traditional values while supporting Katie’s public ambition. Her steadiness provides emotional grounding for the central plot.
The Farmer’s Daughter Settings
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Time period
1940s
Set in the mid-20th century United States, the film unfolds against a backdrop of postwar politics and party maneuvering. The era emphasizes backroom deals, public scrutiny, and the evolving role of women in public life. The period specifics highlight the tension between traditional values and emerging democratic agency.
Location
Family farm, Capitol City, Petree's lodge
The story moves from a Swedish-American family farm to the bustling political heart of Capitol City. It contrasts rural life with high-stakes national politics, fueling the tension between honesty at home and maneuvering in public. A remote lodge serves as a backdrop for the Bribery and intimidation plot, underscoring the divide between everyday life and political power.
The Farmer’s Daughter Themes
Discover the main themes in The Farmer’s Daughter (1947). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Democracy
The film frames elections as a test of character and accountability. Katie publicly questions a candidate, using the forum to challenge manipulation. The opposing party’s shift in support after truth emerges demonstrates democracy in action, and the finale with Katie entering Congress emphasizes that informed votes shape leadership.
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Empowerment
A Swedish-American farm girl rises to political relevance through pragmatism and integrity. Katie’s journey from maid to potential representative showcases female agency in a male-dominated arena. Her courage to campaign, despite personal cost, marks a bold break from traditional expectations.
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Nativism
Finley’s ascent is tied to an extreme nativist faction, illustrating how prejudice can be weaponized in politics. The film exposes bribery and smear tactics, showing how media and public discourse can be exploited. The radio confession and political reversal critique the dangers of bigotry in campaigns.
The Farmer’s Daughter Spoiler-Free Summary
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In a world where the rhythm of the fields still hums beneath the roar of a bustling capital, Katie Holstrom steps off her family’s farm with a nursing scholarship clutched in her hand and a head full of ambition. The transition from wide‑open cornfields to the tightly packed streets of Capitol City feels like crossing a continent, and the promise of a new life is colored by the delicate balance between longing for progress and the pull of her humble roots.
Seeking independence in a city that can be both exhilarating and unforgiving, Katie takes a modest position that brings her into the orbit of a seasoned political matriarch, Agatha Morley. Within the polished corridors of power, she meets Glenn Morley, a charismatic U.S. Representative whose reputation is as sharp as his intellect. Katie’s straightforward, down‑to‑earth sensibility quickly earns the quiet respect of those who value substance over ceremony, hinting at a natural aptitude for navigating the often‑opaque realm of governance.
As she becomes a familiar presence among the city’s political elite, the contrast between her straightforward farm upbringing and the nuanced, sometimes slippery world of legislation creates a compelling tension. The film captures the subtle choreography of mentorship, attraction, and the growing realization that her voice might carry weight far beyond the bedside she once imagined. Every interaction is framed by a tone that blends hopeful idealism with the gritty reality of a woman carving out space in a sphere that rarely expects her to stay.
Through graceful cinematography and warm, earnest performances, the story sets the stage for a journey where personal integrity and public ambition intersect. Katie’s path suggests that a single determined heart can influence the larger currents of a city, inviting the audience to wonder how far her cultivated instincts will take her in the ever‑shifting landscape of politics.
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