Our Leading Citizen Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Our Leading Citizen.
Our Leading Citizen Ending Explained: Lem Schofield, a lawyer in a one-time small-town turned industrialized big city, runs his firm on examples set by Abraham Lincoln and is a friend to the poor. Directed by Alfred Santell, this 1939 drama film stars Bob Burns (Lem Schofield), alongside Susan Hayward as Judith Schofield, Joseph Allen as Clay Clinton, Elizabeth Patterson as Aunt Tillie. With a 8/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of Our Leading Citizen?
Lem Schofield, a lawyer in a one-time small-town turned industrialized big city, runs his firm on examples set by Abraham Lincoln and is a friend to the poor. Clay Clinton, his late partner's son joins the firm but is anxious for fast success and considers Schofield's old-fashioned principles antiquated. Being in love with Schofield's daughter and impatient for success he moves to offices supplied by the city's most powerful industrialist, J.T. Tapley, who has plans to use Clay's good family lineage as a stepping stone to political power. The unscrupulous Tapley precipitates a strike in his factory mill which causes a rupture between the former partners. Schofield sets out to bring Tapley and his political henchmen to justice.
Alfred Santell's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Bob Burns (Lem Schofield)'s journey. Clay Clinton, his late partner's son joins the firm but is anxious for fast success and considers Schofield's old-fashioned principles antiquated.
How Does Bob Burns (Lem Schofield)'s Story End?
- Bob Burns: Bob Burns's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Alfred Santell delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 29m runtime.
- Susan Hayward (Judith Schofield): Susan Hayward's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Joseph Allen (Clay Clinton): Joseph Allen's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Our Leading Citizen Mean?
Our Leading Citizen concludes with Alfred Santell reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Bob Burns leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.