Watch The Magnificent Yankee

The Magnificent Yankee is a 1950 biographical film about the life and career of the renowned American statesman, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. The movie is directed by John Sturges and stars Louis Calhern as Holmes, Ann Harding as Fanny Holmes, Holmes' wife, and Eduard Franz as John Lowell, Holmes' friend and legal colleague. The film opens in 1932, with an elderly Oliver Wendell Holmes reflecting on his life and career as a highly respected jurist and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The story then flashes back to the late 19th century when Holmes was a young lawyer working in Boston. The Magnificent Yankee follows his rise to prominence, in his work as a judge in Massachusetts, and his eventual appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Throughout the movie, we witness Holmes' personal and professional life. We see his relationship with his wife, Fanny, and how their love and support for each other contributed to Holmes' success. Fanny is portrayed as a highly intelligent and independent woman who was supportive of her husband's career and helped him maintain a balance between his work and personal life.

The Magnificent Yankee also delves into the legal cases Holmes dealt with during his time as a U.S. Supreme Court judge. One of the key cases depicted in the film is Lochner v. New York, which revolved around the constitutionality of a law limiting the number of hours bakers could work. The case is significant in U.S. legal history and is still cited by lawyers and scholars today.

The movie shows how Holmes' legal philosophy evolved throughout his career, from his earlier conservative views to his later, more liberal opinions. We witness his struggle to uphold the law while remaining true to his convictions, even when this meant being in the minority on the bench.

The Magnificent Yankee paints a portrait of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. as a brilliant jurist and a man of integrity who placed principle above personal gain. At the same time, the film shows that, like any human being, Holmes had his flaws and vulnerabilities. We see him struggle with medical issues and reflect on his own mortality.

The acting in The Magnificent Yankee is superb, with Louis Calhern giving an outstanding performance as Holmes. He captures the essence of the man - his intelligence, wit, and charm, as well as his dedication to justice. Ann Harding is also excellent as Fanny Holmes, bringing warmth and depth to the role of a woman who played a pivotal role in her husband's life and career.

Overall, The Magnificent Yankee is a well-made and engaging biopic that gives viewers insight into the life and career of one of the most important jurists in U.S. legal history. The film is a tribute to Holmes' enduring legacy and his contributions to American law and society.

The Magnificent Yankee is a 1950 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.