Frank Capra was an Italian-American film director, producer and screenwriter who became the creative force behind some of the major award winning motion pictures of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Nominated for 6 Best Director Oscars and winning 3 in just a 5 year span, separate Capra from the rest. Frank Capra’s Best Director Academy Awards for “It Happened One Night,”1934 “Mr. Deeds Goes To Town,”1936 and “You Can’t Take It With You,”1938 are just indications of his brilliance. He claimed “I made some mistakes with drama.” “I thought drama was when the actor cried.” “Drama is when the audience cries!” A Lifetime Achievement Oscar shows Frank figured it out.
Capra wanted his films “to let every man, woman and child know that God loves them, that I love them and that peace and salvation will become a reality when they learn to love each other.” The messages he conveyed to his audience of “everyman” heroes triumphing over mercenary big business and big government have his classics resonate more than 80 years later. His 1934 first Best Director Oscar for “It Happened One Night,” was also the first film to win the top 5 awards. Best Film, Director, Screenwriting, Best Male Actor and Best Female Actress.
The Great Depression classic “It Happened…,” taught us humility and love not money and love, are what really matter. Love starts with personal growth and is closely related. Capra, Gable, Colbert and Columbia Pictures proved it’s true. The message in “Mr. Deeds…” showed America’s “everyman” had the ability to challenge and overcome “big business”and “big government.” These award winning messages are “the underdog can survive and win.” “It’s A Wonderful Life”1946, is Capra’s most universally revered film around the world. On television every Christmas, Jimmy Stewart’s Philip Bailey revisits us in “… Wonderful Life.” We celebrate the magic of hard earned survival.
Thank you Frank Capra for endless lessons well learned.Your fans still love “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington,” and the list goes on. Your films are found on every AFI Best Films of All Time Lists. My Forever Treasures is parting with this incredible Frank Capra autographed studio photo. It’s been one of our favorite treasures. Now this can be yours. Good-for-you.
Frank Capra’s Meet John Doe (1941) Full Movie
