Watch The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg

The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg is a 1980 movie adaptation of Mark Twain's short story of the same name. The movie tells the story of a small town in Hadleyburg that prides itself on its honesty and integrity. One day, a stranger arrives in town and overhears a conversation between two residents about a twenty-dollar gold piece that was found and returned to its rightful owner many years ago. The stranger tells them that he knows the rightful owner, but he cannot reveal it.

The stranger then writes down a set of numbers on a piece of paper and tells the town's most respected citizens that if they decode the numbers, they will discover the name of the rightful owner of the gold piece. The citizens, eager to prove their honesty and integrity, agree to the stranger's challenge and spend several days decoding the numbers. In the end, they discover that the rightful owner is a poor old couple who has lost everything and is now living in poverty.

The town's influential residents are delighted to have proved their honesty and integrity. However, they soon realize that the stranger was not what he seemed. He was, in fact, a con man who wanted to see if he could corrupt Hadleyburg and expose its residents as frauds. When the citizens realize how they have been tricked, they become angry and vengeful, and their anger takes a destructive form.

Robert Preston stars in the movie as Edward Richards, a local banker and one of the town's most respected citizens. Tom Aldredge plays Reverend Burgess, the town's religious leader and another highly respected citizen. Fred Gwynne appears as Mr. Cox, a schoolteacher who is also highly regarded in the community.

The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg explores the themes of honesty, integrity, and moral decay. It questions whether it is possible to be completely honest and whether honesty is a desirable trait. The film also raises the issue of whether an individual's moral character can be determined by their actions or whether people can hide behind a facade of honesty and integrity.

The movie adaptation by Ralph Rosenblum was an excellent interpretation of Twain's work, bringing to life the setting and characters with well-written dialogues and exceptional performances from the cast. Preston, Aldredge, and Gwynne embodied their characters with sincerity and wit that kept the viewer intrigued and entertained.

Although the movie is set in the late 19th century, it remains timeless in its critique of human nature and the vulnerability of society to corruption. The movie is a cautionary tale that warns against the dangers of pride and self-righteousness.

In conclusion, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that stays true to Mark Twain's vision. The film's message is timeless, and it continues to resonate with viewers today. The excellent performances by the cast make the movie a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human nature.

The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg is a 1980 comedy with a runtime of 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.