Walter Huston is excellent as always portraying a Depression-era President of the United States who sees his work for the American people as just another job. He's reckless and cavalier, but after coming out of a coma brought about by a car wreck, the lazy leader suddenly reforms and gets down to business. He wants his entire Cabinet to resign and Congress to adjourn so that he can take control over the U.S. via a one-man dictatorship. Dated, though still interesting piece of political folly and impudence, written by Carey Wilson from an "anonymous" novel, was probably a timely and enjoyable picture of its day; however, with Hitler's dictatorship in Germany about to change all of Europe, the movie soon lost its novelty (and the fascist overtones and the subtle religious angle, with Huston apparently overtaken by an otherworldly spirit, likely didn't help matters). Were the filmmakers trying to say that if God has His way, America would best be ruled under Marshall Law? One can certainly enjoy the picture without having to parallel its tactics with events in world history, although some may argue this angle is the only thing which keeps the film engaging. In either event, the acting is solid (if occasionally broad), the editing is sharp, and director Gregory La Cava does striking work; his strong, provoking visual sense causes several sequences to resemble German Expressionism. **1/2 from ****
Review of Gabriel Over the White House
