Gentleman's Agreement (film)

Gentleman's Agreement (film)
Name	Gentleman's Agreement
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Elia Kazan
Producer	Darryl F. Zanuck
Screenplay	Moss Hart
Based on	Gentleman's Agreement, Laura Z. Hobson
Starring	Gregory Peck Dorothy McGuire John Garfield Celeste Holm Anne Revere June Havoc Albert Dekker Jane Wyatt Dean Stockwell
Music	Alfred Newman
Cinematography	Arthur C. Miller
Editing	Harmon Jones
Studio	20th Century Fox
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Released	1947, 11, 11
Runtime	118 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2 million
Gross	$7.8 million

Gentleman's Agreement (film) is a 1947 American drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Gregory Peck. The film, based on the novel by Laura Z. Hobson, follows a journalist who poses as a Jewish man to experience antisemitism firsthand in post-World War II New York City. A landmark social issue film, it won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was a major critical and commercial success for 20th Century Fox.

Plot

Investigative journalist Phil Green relocates from California to New York City for a new assignment at a national magazine. Tasked by his editor, John Minify, with writing a series on antisemitism, Green struggles to find a fresh angle. He decides to assume a Jewish identity, telling acquaintances he is Jewish, which immediately alters how he, his son Tommy, and his fiancée Kathy Lacey are perceived. Green encounters pervasive discrimination in upscale neighborhoods like Darien, Connecticut, exclusive hotels, and even within his own social circle. His deception strains his relationship with Kathy, whose silent complicity in prejudice is exposed, and brings him closer to his colleague Anne Dettrey, who supports his mission. The narrative climaxes as Green's series is published, forcing characters to confront their own biases.

Cast

* Gregory Peck as Phil Green * Dorothy McGuire as Kathy Lacey * John Garfield as Dave Goldman * Celeste Holm as Anne Dettrey * Anne Revere as Mrs. Green * June Havoc as Elaine Wales * Albert Dekker as John Minify * Jane Wyatt as Jane Green * Dean Stockwell as Tommy Green * Nicholas Joy as Professor Craigie * Sam Jaffe as Professor Fred Lieberman

Production

The project was spearheaded by 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck, who purchased the rights to Laura Z. Hobson's novel. Zanuck assigned the screenplay to playwright Moss Hart and chose Elia Kazan, known for his work on *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn*, to direct. Gregory Peck was cast after John Garfield, initially considered for the lead, was placed in the supporting role of Dave Goldman. Filming took place primarily at the Fox Studios lot in Los Angeles. The production faced industry reluctance to tackle such a controversial subject so soon after World War II and the Holocaust, but Zanuck insisted on its social importance.

Themes and analysis

The film is a direct examination of the subtle and institutional forms of antisemitism in American society, exploring concepts like the "gentleman's agreement" among elites to exclude Jewish people. It critiques polite, socially acceptable prejudice and the complicity of bystanders, a theme highlighted through Kathy Lacey's character. The narrative also delves into questions of identity, empathy, and journalistic ethics, as Green's method raises issues about the authenticity of experiencing discrimination. Scholars often place the film within the context of post-war social problem films, alongside works like *Crossfire*, which also addressed antisemitism released the same year.

Reception

Upon its release, *Gentleman's Agreement* received widespread acclaim from critics. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times praised its courageous subject matter. It was a substantial box office hit, earning $7.8 million against a $2 million budget. At the 20th Academy Awards, the film won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director for Elia Kazan, and Best Supporting Actress for Celeste Holm. It received additional nominations for Best Actress (Dorothy McGuire), Best Supporting Actress (Anne Revere), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Legacy

The film is regarded as a pioneering and brave work in Hollywood's history of social commentary, helping to break a taboo on directly addressing antisemitism in popular cinema. Its success paved the way for other issue-driven films in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, some modern critiques argue its perspective is limited, focusing on a white, Christian protagonist's temporary experience rather than centering authentic Jewish voices. Despite this, it remains a significant cultural artifact, preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The film's title entered the lexicon as a shorthand for unspoken discriminatory practices.

Category:1947 films Category:American drama films Category:20th Century Fox films