Gabriel Over the White House poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Walter Huston, Karen Morley, Franchot Tone, Arthur Byron, Dickie Moore ... see more see more... , C. Henry Gordon , David Landau , Mischa Auer , Spencer Charters , Claire Du Brey , Samuel S. Hinds , Henry Kolker , Robert E. O'Connor , Jean Parker , William Pawley , Guy Usher , Walter Walker , John Davidson

In 1933, at the height of the bleakness and desperation of the Depression, MGM released this genuine curiosity piece -- directed by comedy (!) director Gregory La Cava -- concerning a Warren G. Hardin... read more read more...g-like partisan hand-shaker President of the United States who, after seeing a vision, revokes the Constitution, becomes a reigning dictator, and solves all of the nation's problems. Walter Huston plays Judson Hammond, recently elected President of the United States, who treats his elected office as a joke and acts as a dispenser of Party favors. But after an automobile accident, he sees the Archangel Gabriel, who inspires him to declare himself dictator. His first line of business after his conversion is to fire his Cabinet. This leads to impeachment proceedings, but Hammond enters the Senate chamber and takes over the Congress. He then tackles unemployment by meeting with John Bronson (David Landau), the leader of masses of marching unemployed men. When gangster Nick Diamond (Henry C. Gordon) and his goons assassinate Bronson, Hammond uses his brown-shirted storm troopers to blast their way into Diamond's headquarters and blow him away. The President then intimidates the leaders of countries that owe money to the United States to pay their debts then forces them to disarm and pledge world peace. Hammond rapidly becomes the most popular fascist President in United States history. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

244 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Gregory La Cava

Release Date: January 1, 1933

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 28, 1993

Stats: 26 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

3 stars 3 stars
Upload a Photo | View All Gabriel Over the White House Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (26)

  • rubystevens
    October 23, 2009
    rubystevens
    beyond bizarre. walter huston as the president asserts his constitutional authority to become dictator of the u.s. after a near-death experience. he fires everyone and uses federal troops to combat the depression and gangsters. there's even a driveby shooting at the white hous... read moree! produced by william randolph hearst the same year hitler came to power, it soon became controversial for obvious reasons and wasn't seen for many years. it's an interesting piece of propaganda and still a little bit frightening
  • codyfranklin2
    November 18, 2008
    codyfranklin2
    This is a strange but enjoyable film. Walter Huston becomes president during the Great Depression and he approaches the depression without urgency, but then he is in a car accident and is close to death. He recovers suddenly as a different person and starts to run the country as ... read morea dictator and fights the economy and gangsters.He bullies his cabinet, congress, and foreign leaders if they don't do as he says. It's hinted that the angel Gabriel has possessed him. This film showed what he was doing as positive and what the country needed, but the film was pulled when Hitler came to power and was doing exactly what Huston was doing. Huston is very good and the film is interesting. It's just a little crazy and it has a scene where gangsters do a drive by on the White House. Never seen that before.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    November 2, 2008
    Doctor0Quinzel
    One of the more interesting films I have seen of late, but it feels very long. The subject matter is interesting, but watching the film is not.
  • jam233
    February 11, 2010
    jam233
    Fascinating depression era film. Walter Huston gives a sincere and great performance as the president. It is dated, but that is what make it so fascinating. Fine supporting cast. An impressive classic.

View All Gabriel Over the White House Reviews

Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker
December 6, 2009
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

Gregory La Cava's 1933 New Deal fantasy is one of the strangest political films to escape the studios. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
December 19, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A unique and somewhat daffy Depression-era comedy New Deal fantasy film. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
August 18, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

A classic example of pre-code Hollywood getting away with all kinds of depression-era madness. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
May 17, 2007
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

Of all the crackpot political films to come out of Hollywood ... this is surely the crackpottest, and must really be seen to be believed. Full Review

Martin Scribbs
November 19, 2005
Martin Scribbs, Mixed Reviews

Gabriel Over the White House encourages its viewers to live the fantasy of the philosopher-king, but never counts the costs of such a regime.

Steve Crum
July 13, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Fascinating, original, definitely ahead of its time fantasy.

Bob Bloom
September 11, 2003
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A most interesting fantasy, dated and quaint by today's standards, but most interesting for its time. The idea of a president warring on the underworld and executing criminals has some appeal.

Boo Allen
March 1, 2003
Boo Allen, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

Strange film that sees Huston as U.S. president who feels he's being visited by the angel Gabriel. More than topical considering the current prez' religious preoccupations.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
November 7, 2002
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner

An odd, earnest comedy with soapbox leanings.

Ken Hanke
August 14, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Odd, slightly disconcerting Gregory La Cava film that's more interesting than good

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • First Lady
    First Lady (100%)

More Movies like Gabriel Over the White House

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Gabriel Over the ... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Gabriel Over the White House. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Gabriel Over the White House to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?