Rip Smith's opinion-poll business is a failure...until he discovers that the small town of Grandview is statistically identical to the entire country. He and his assistants go there to run polls cheaply and easily, in total secrecy (it would be fatal to let the townsfolk get self-conscious). And of course, civic crusader Mary Peterman must be kept from changing things too much. But romantic involvement with Mary complicates life for Rip; then suddenly everything changes.

Rip Smith

Mary Peterman

Hoopendecker

Ike

Lou Dicketts

Ed Weaver

Mrs. Weaver

Mr. Twiddle

Moody

Ma Peterman

Hank Nickleby

Nickleby

Mayor

Mrs. Frisby

Birch

Senator Wilton

Stringer

Dickey

Mrs. Wilton
October 7, 1947

Rip Smith

Mary Peterman

Hoopendecker

Ike

Lou Dicketts

Ed Weaver

Mrs. Weaver

Mr. Twiddle

Moody

Ma Peterman

Hank Nickleby

Nickleby

Mayor

Mrs. Frisby

Birch

Senator Wilton

Stringer

Dickey

Mrs. Wilton

