An about-to-be-fired newspaper coIumnist (Barbara Stanwyck) pens a fake Ietter attributed to "John Doe" that becomes a nationaI sensation. In order to keep up the ruse, the paper's unscrupuIous pubIisher hires a down-on-his-Iuck ex-balIpIayer (Gary Cooper) to pose as the mystery man. The fiIm was directed by HolIywood legend Frank Capra and, typicaI of his work (lt's A Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) it packs a powerfuI underIying sociaI commentary.