You Can Change the World

A bunch of aging Hollywood stars, scared to death of McCarthyism, take a televised loyalty oath. Their cowardly performances are sickening. Holden looks embarrassed. The attempts at humor are lame in the extreme. They probably submitted a copy of this to Roy Cohn. Were the founding fathers present, or Abe Lincoln, they would have been disgusted. In discussing the Declaration of Independence, no mention is made that the original contained the abolition of slavery, dropped to secure southern votes for independence. I guess you have to give these people credit for recognizing the dangers of McCarthyism and taking steps to cover their butts. Never mind that too many of their more honest colleagues now had ruined lives. This movie is a display of craven cowardice, and lowered my opinion of all involved.

I guess at this time in history, it was necessary for all performers who wished to work or continue working on radio and television in the United States to openly declare themselves anti-communist or to show support for the anti-communist witch-hunt.

I assume the easiest way to fulfill loyalty obligations was to appear in explicitly anti-communist propaganda shows like this. I assume Jack Benny chose this as the most innocuous way to pledge his allegiance and stay on radio and television.

Benny seems annoyed that he has to host and listen to the 20 minute anti-communist sermon given by a rather nervous and witless Catholic Priest. The guest stars, like Loretta Young and William Holden remind one of Prisoners of War who are forced to recite confessions.

It is a sad affair to watch, but an important historical document showing the lunacy of the McCarthy times.

Jack Benny calls various Hollywood personalities and asks them to come to his house. It's not to sell them Amway products, but to meet Father James G. Keller, who wants their help publicizing the Christophers.

The Christophers are a Roman Catholic group urging greater commitment to the world in a G*d-aware but ecumenical fashion. With the beginning of the Cold War, anti-foreign groups were on the rise, and with them, anti-Catholic feelings. The Christophers, with their motto "It is better to light a candle than to curse the dark" had a television song that ran from 1952 through 2012, and still publish a newsletter ten times a year.

I find it crazy that we all see the same piece of film and yet we interpret it differently. I didn't see this as an "anti communist" propaganda film. I saw it as a motivational film. Don't sit on your hands, get involved. As far as the cast commenting on the Declaration of Independence not being taught or not being followed then....welcome to today! A lot of teachers & most college professors do not teach. They indoctrinate. That is dangerous. Kids need to be given access to the material and interpret it themselves. As far as people not being involved in their government...I can understand why. Government IS corrupt! Period!! Dems, Repubs... Makes no difference. And the average person cannot stand up to the scrutiny of running for office. We are in a very sad state right now.....far much worse than the 1950's blacklists!

"You Can Change the World" features an amazing cast: Paul Douglas, Jack Benny, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Bing Crosby, Irene Dunne, William Holden, Loretta Young AND Bob Hope! To top it off, it's directed by Leo McCarey...one of the top directors of the day. All this for a short film!!

The show begins with Rochester inviting celebrites to come to Jack Benny's house to meet Father Keller....leader of a group called 'the Christophers'. The group has a vague mission to 'change the world'...and listening to Keller didn't do a lot to clarify this other than it seemed founded on Americanism and God.

All in all, despite a great cast, the film comes off as dull and preachy. Sorry...a great cast wasted on a script that is way too didactic and boring. The only real value I saw in this was as a history lesson, as it's a window into the minds of folks back in 1950.