Don't Be a Sucker (1947) is a U.S. government instructional film -- these days, we may even say inspirational film -- about the evils of allowing fascism to take hold over America. As this short (only a little over 17 minutes) was made just two years after the end of World War II when we should have been confident in vanquishing our fascist enemies, it is obviously prescient about a future when the allure of domination over our fellow men and women might return.
It stars Paul Lukas as an American immigrant warning young Bob Bailey about joining the siren's song of a street soapbox fascist, and how bad it got in Europe when men such as he fell prey to the false promises of authoritarianism.
Bob Bailey, old time radio fans will note, was the best insurance investigator Johnny Dollar among many who played the role in the program Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Felix Bressart plays a brave, but doomed, university professor in the old country. Lloyd Nolan is the narrator.
Paul Lukas tells us, "Racial and religious hatred is just another of the mental and emotional diseases which are sweeping the world today as plagues and pestilences swept the world before science and education controlled them. This pestilence can be controlled, too."
One certainly hopes so. But not without education and critical thinking. Most especially, a free press, not one that's been bought and paid for.
When the soapbox blabbermouth denigrates foreigners, Blacks, Catholics...Bob Bailey almost succumbs to the fascist's reasoning and reassurance of his own superiority -- until the fascist lumps Freemasons in with the other undesirables. Bob is a Freemason, and he is more than insulted, he is shocked that he could be the next one in the detention camp.
So could you. Watch this very timely film.
And vote accordingly.
Jacqueline T. Lynch is the author of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. and Movies in Our Time - Hollywood Mirrors and Mimics the Twentieth Century and Hollywood Fights Fascism and Christmas in Classic Films. TO JOIN HER READERS' GROUP - follow this link for a free book as a thank-you for joining.
