Well here is my personal take on Frank Capra, a theme through many of his films is that the common man can change politicians and Big Bussiness. Of his older silent movies I've seen none, and Larry Semon seems today to be rather forgotten comedy star of the silent era.
Platinum Blonde 1931, I acually have this one but has never got around seeing it.
American Madness 1932,
Panic in swedish, a big surpice that I though was very good.
It Happened One Night 1934 a classic rom-com that still delivers, with the famous Walls of Jericho and Hitchhiking scenes. The movie also nearly killed the male linen industry, if a man like Gable don't wear male linen why shoud we. The success of this movie made it possible for Columbia Pictures to play with the big boys.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town 1936,
A Gentleman Comes to Town in swedish, for some reason I can't explain this movie didn't talk to me.
Lost Horizon 1937,
Beyond the Horizon in swedish, good old matinee movie magic.
You Can't Take It with You 1938,
The Comedy About Us the People in swedish, a wonderful mix of seriosness and comedy, with one of the nuttiest households one could think of.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939, A great "fantasy" about the common man (perfectly naivly played by James Stewart), trying to change old stubborn politicians (perfectly played by Claude Rains).
Meet John Doe 1941,
We Need Each Others in swedish, an equally great films as Mr Smith, but the common man (a great Gary Cooper) fights Big Bussiness (perfectly slimily played by Edward Arnold).
Arsenic and Old Lace 1944 (but made in 1941, delayed as long as it was running on Broadway), I know some say Cary Grant overplays, but I think it's great fun with all it's nutty characters. Since I have this one I like to see it from time to time.
What I've read that making the
Why We Fight documenteries 1942-45, changed Capra, that he never was the same again.
It's a Wonderful Life 1946, Great Americana (I use that word in a positive sence). America had changed and wasn't up for this kind of movies anymore, but apparently not the flop that I'ts rumored to have been, it did reasonably well, but not what Capra had hoped it would, since he tried to start his own production company. It also forced Capra to collaborate with MGM on his next production
State of the Union, and get access to MGM stars, so he wouldn't go bankrupt. These two movies were the last of the old Capra Touch, for the rest of his directing career he was a director for hire.
Here Comes the Groom 1951, with "In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening" evergreen, good old entertainment but it's more Crosby than Capra. This and the other Crosby collaboration
Riding High did very well at the box-offices since the name Crosby meant big money rolling in in those days, while the Capra name meant prestige.
Pocketful of Miracles 1961, remaking his own
Lady for a Day, I must admit I was a bit dissapointed, but what a cast! So it's never boring, but a bit long and too studio bound for a movie from 1961. A side note, in
The Italian Job 1969 there is a scene were cars drives up a ramp onto a moving truck/lorry, and on the extras of that movies DVD they bragg about that it never had been done before, but they actually do the same (though with one car only) in
Pocketful and this was 8 years earlier.
The only thing he did after that was a short named
Rendezvous in Space 1964 for exhibition at the Hall of Science at the New York World's Fair, where it played well in the 1970's.
(in swedish = swedish title translated to english)
