This was the first film ever to portray Communist Screen Writers as the villains.That's a great idea, that would only come from them. They did something analogous in "Oh Brother" -- the "ree-form" candidate, IOW, the New Deal Demwit, was the Grand Kleagle of the local KKK.
One of the things that I think probably makes “O’ Brother” more entertaining to many people than this one is that they were on a journey from start to finish which is what most people tend to expect. This movie is basically compilation of all the stuff that the leading character is having to deal with on a daily basis. There are many diversions unrelated to the commie villains kidnapping the big star and his eventual return.
As old movie lovers, my wife and I found all the diversions to be very entertaining, but some people want a more direct storyline to follow. So your enjoyment depends a bit on being able to “smell the roses” and if you do not have some familiarity with movies from the 40s and 50s “the roses” may not have a great deal of meaning to you other than they are still quite outrageous.
I meant to acknowledge your comment in my last reply. I don't know what the Coens politics are. It seems like they try to stay out of it. But there are very few if any other movies from any time period that portray New Deal Democrats as the head of the local KKK. Very funny and probably more accurate than most of us realize.
AND the world didn't end? OMG!