The President Vanishes (1934) DVD-R

Starring Edward Arnold, Arthur Byron, Paul Kelly, Peggy Conklin, Andy Devine, Rosalind
Russell
Directed by William A. Wellman

Print: black/white
Runtime: 80 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B

Based upon a novel anonymously written by Rex Stout, The President Vanishes has as its
title character a peace-loving man with distinct anti-interventionist views. As the picture
opens, President Stanley Craig (A.S. Byron) finds himself in a bit of a bind: he fervently
believes that the United States should stay out of the war in Europe, but the tide of public
opinion seems to be turning against him, influenced by a loud and demonstrative fascist
group (the Gray Shirts), influential arms manufacturers and powerful pro-war publishers.
Congress seems to be unflinchingly pro-war, and is about to meet to "discuss" whether
America should get involved in the deadly conflict. Suddenly, a surprise announcement is
made: the President has been kidnapped. Overnight, public opinion regarding the war
reverses. The American people, knowing of the President's strong anti-war stance, believe
that the pro-war forces are behind the abduction, resulting in rioting and national unrest.
Eventually, after the nation comes to back the President's view, he is found — and the
audience discovers that the kidnapping was staged by the President and his advisors as a
way of altering public opinion.