Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Posted on August 21, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur with director Frank Capra, this film follows a man from a small town who is left $2 million by a dead relative. Longfellow Deeds is thrust into a life in New York where everyone wants his attention in order to get money and support. However, this man they took for a stooge has common sense and grows fed up with them all. The only person he talks to is Arthur’s character who is actually a reporter. While she writes damaging articles, they slowly begin to fall for each other. He finds out what she did and eventually decides to give his money away. Fortune hunters try to claim he is crazy and they bring their case to court. Initially Deeds does not defend himself, but when his love speaks on his behalf he changes his mind and fights for his cause. Capra was wonderful at making the feel good films about the common man. Here he does it once again in a precursor to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Meet John Doe.

4.5/5 Stars

Meet John Doe (1941)

Posted on July 16, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck with direction by Frank Capra, the film begins with a news woman (Stanwyck) creating a made up story about John Doe, a man willing to commit suicide to protest big government. In order to keep the story going, they take a man off the street to effectively be John Doe. At first John (Cooper) and his friend the Colonel (Walter Brennan) are attracted by the chance to work. However, slowly he seems to become John Doe and the whole nation is seemingly behind him with Stanwyck’s character falling for his image as well. A political machine tries to discredit him and prove he never was John Doe. Now all along John decides to go through the suicide to prove his point to all. The political machine tries to stop him and Stanwyck finally does saying they can still keep the ideals of John Doe alive. Sharing some similarities with Mr. Smith, this film is one of those feel good films.

4/5 Stars

Happy Birthday Frank Capra

Posted on May 18, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Today would have been the birthday of the great American director Frank Capra who was known for his inspirational stories. Some of his most famous films include It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and of course It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). Two of his lesser known films that are also enjoyable include Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and Meet John Doe (1941). His films may always seem optimistic but I think that is why I appreciate his work so much. Ultimately, Capra films lift your spirits and that is a wonderful thing!