Our Leading Citizen Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: Our Leading Citizen
| Movie | Our Leading Citizen |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | Alfred Santell |
| Genre | Drama / Comedy |
| Runtime | 89 minutes (1h 29m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Our Leading Citizen (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 8.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Our Leading Citizen are led by Bob Burns . The supporting cast, including Susan Hayward and Joseph Allen , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Our Leading Citizen stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Our Leading Citizen has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Our Leading Citizen
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, Our Leading Citizen is a Drama, Comedy film directed by Alfred Santell, written by Jack Moffitt. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Bob Burns as Lem Schofield.
Ending Explained: 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.
Our Leading Citizen Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Our Leading Citizen Based on a True Story?
No, Our Leading Citizen is a work of fiction. While the drama, comedy film directed by Alfred Santell and starring Bob Burns may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Our Leading Citizen?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
At just 89 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Our Leading Citizen Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about Our Leading Citizen age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Our Leading Citizen (1939) is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Directed by Alfred Santell, the film runs for 89 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 8.0/10, and global performance metrics, Our Leading Citizen is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Our Leading Citizen worth watching?
Our Leading Citizen is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 8/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Our Leading Citizen parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Our Leading Citizen identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Our Leading Citizen (1939)?
The runtime of Our Leading Citizen (1939) is 89 minutes (approximately 1h 29m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
