About It's a Big Country
- Released on November 20, 1951
Comprised of eight unrelated episodes of inconsistent quality, this anthology piece of American propaganda features some of MGM Studios' best directors, screenwriters and actors; it is narrated by Louis Calhern. Stories are framed by the lecture of a university professor. In one tale a Boston resident becomes angry when the census forgets to record her presence. Another sketch chronicles the achievements of African Americans while still another pays tongue-in-cheek tribute to Texas.
Full Cast of It's a Big Country
Ethel Barrymore plays Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan
Keefe Brasselle plays Sgt. Maxie Klein
Gary Cooper plays Texas
Nancy Davis Reagan plays Miss Coleman
Van Johnson plays Rev. Adam Burch
Gene Kelly plays Icarus Xenophon
Janet Leigh plays Rosa Szabo Xenophon
Marjorie Main plays Mrs. Wrenley
Fredric March plays Joe Esposito
George Murphy plays Mr. Patrick Callaghan
William Powell plays Professor
S.Z. Sakall plays Stefan Szabo
Lewis Stone plays Church sexton
James Whitmore plays Mr. Stacey
Keenan Wynn plays Michael Fisher
Elisabeth Risdon plays Diner on Train (uncredited)
Sharon McManus plays Sam Szabo
Angela Clarke plays Mama Esposito
Robert Hyatt plays Joseph Esposito
John Ericson plays Naval Ensign (uncredited)
Louis Calhern plays Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Leon Ames plays Secret Service Man
Benny Burt plays Soda Jerk (uncredited)
George Conrad plays Greek Athlete (uncredited)
Don Gordon plays Mervin (uncredited)
A. Cameron Grant plays Proprietor of Inn (uncredited)
Fred Santley plays Census Bureau Supervisor (uncredited)
Dolly Arriaga plays Concetta Esposito (uncredited)
Crew of It's a Big Country
Directing
Camera
Writing
Production
- Ethel Barrymore
- Keefe Brasselle
- Gary Cooper
- Nancy Davis Reagan
- Van Johnson
- Gene Kelly
- Janet Leigh
- Marjorie Main
- Fredric March
- George Murphy
- William Powell
- S.Z. Sakall
- Lewis Stone
- James Whitmore
- Keenan Wynn
- Elisabeth Risdon
- Sharon McManus
- Angela Clarke
- Robert Hyatt
- John Ericson
- Louis Calhern
- Leon Ames
- Benny Burt
- George Conrad
- Don Gordon
- A. Cameron Grant
- Fred Santley
- Dolly Arriaga