Frank Capra

Frank Russell Capra (May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was a Sicilian-born American film director and a creative force behind a number of films of the 1930s and 1940s, including It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). His films often deal with rags-to-riches stories wich has led film historians such as Ian Freer to consider him the "American Dream personified".

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It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

ClassicUpliftingSlow movingChristmas

A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  James Stewart  •  Donna Reed  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Thomas Mitchell

A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  James Stewart  •  Donna Reed  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Thomas Mitchell

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

EpicFast pacedFunnyBrilliant

Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Cary Grant  •  Priscilla Lane  •  Raymond Massey  •  Jack Carson

Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Cary Grant  •  Priscilla Lane  •  Raymond Massey  •  Jack Carson

Broadway Bill (1934)

Tycoon J.L. Higgins controls his whole family, but one of his sons- in-law, Dan Brooks and his daughter Alice are fed up with that. Brooks quits his job as manager of J.L.'s paper box factory and devotes his life to his racing horse Broadway Bill, but his bank- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Warner Baxter  •  Myrna Loy  •  Walter Connolly  •  Helen Vinson

Tycoon J.L. Higgins controls his whole family, but one of his sons- in-law, Dan Brooks and his daughter Alice are fed up with that. Brooks quits his job as manager of J.L.'s paper box factory and devotes his life to his racing horse Broadway Bill, but his bank- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Warner Baxter  •  Myrna Loy  •  Walter Connolly  •  Helen Vinson

It Happened One Night (1934)

ClassicFunnyBeautifulCharming

A renegade reporter and a young heiress meet on a bus heading for New York, and end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Clark Gable  •  Claudette Colbert  •  Walter Connolly  •  Roscoe Karns

A renegade reporter and a young heiress meet on a bus heading for New York, and end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Clark Gable  •  Claudette Colbert  •  Walter Connolly  •  Roscoe Karns

Lost Horizon (1937)

ClassicComplexAdventurousInspiring

British diplomat Robert Conway and a small group of civilians crash land in the Himalayas, and are rescued by the people of the mysterious, Eden-like valley of Shangri-la. Protected by the mountains from the world outside, where the clouds of World War II are ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Ronald Colman  •  Jane Wyatt  •  Edward Everett Horton  •  John Howard

British diplomat Robert Conway and a small group of civilians crash land in the Himalayas, and are rescued by the people of the mysterious, Eden-like valley of Shangri-la. Protected by the mountains from the world outside, where the clouds of World War II are ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Ronald Colman  •  Jane Wyatt  •  Edward Everett Horton  •  John Howard

Meet John Doe (1941)

As a parting shot, fired reporter Ann Mitchell prints a fake letter from unemployed "John Doe," who threatens suicide in protest of social ills. The paper is forced to rehire Ann and hires John Willoughby to impersonate "Doe." Ann and her bosses cynically milk the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Gary Cooper  •  Edward Arnold  •  Walter Brennan

As a parting shot, fired reporter Ann Mitchell prints a fake letter from unemployed "John Doe," who threatens suicide in protest of social ills. The paper is forced to rehire Ann and hires John Willoughby to impersonate "Doe." Ann and her bosses cynically milk the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Gary Cooper  •  Edward Arnold  •  Walter Brennan

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Longfellow Deeds lives in a small town, leading a small town kind of life. When a relative dies and leaves Deeds a fortune, Longfellow moves to the big city where he becomes an instant target for everyone. Deeds outwits them all until Babe Bennett comes along. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Gary Cooper  •  Jean Arthur  •  George Bancroft  •  Lionel Stander

Longfellow Deeds lives in a small town, leading a small town kind of life. When a relative dies and leaves Deeds a fortune, Longfellow moves to the big city where he becomes an instant target for everyone. Deeds outwits them all until Babe Bennett comes along. When ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Gary Cooper  •  Jean Arthur  •  George Bancroft  •  Lionel Stander

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

UpliftingCharmingClassic

Naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers, is appointed to the United States Senate by the puppet governor of his state. He soon discovers, upon going to Washington, many shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal of a national ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jean Arthur  •  James Stewart  •  Claude Rains  •  Edward Arnold

Naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers, is appointed to the United States Senate by the puppet governor of his state. He soon discovers, upon going to Washington, many shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal of a national ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jean Arthur  •  James Stewart  •  Claude Rains  •  Edward Arnold

Pocketful of Miracles (1961)

A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Glenn Ford  •  Hope Lange  •  Peter Falk

A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Glenn Ford  •  Hope Lange  •  Peter Falk

State of the Union (1948)

An industrialist is urged to run for President, but this requires uncomfortable compromises on both political and marital levels.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Spencer Tracy  •  Katharine Hepburn  •  Van Johnson  •  Angela Lansbury

An industrialist is urged to run for President, but this requires uncomfortable compromises on both political and marital levels.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Spencer Tracy  •  Katharine Hepburn  •  Van Johnson  •  Angela Lansbury

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

An American missionary is gradually seduced by a courtly warlord holding her in Shanghai.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Nils Asther  •  Toshia Mori  •  Walter Connolly

An American missionary is gradually seduced by a courtly warlord holding her in Shanghai.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Nils Asther  •  Toshia Mori  •  Walter Connolly

The Power of the Press (1928)

The naive newspaper cub Clem lands a scoop when he's sent out to cover a murder. In his enthusiasm he writes that the main suspect is Jane. When she confronts Clem, she convinces him to help her prove her innocence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Douglas Fairbanks Jr.  •  Jobyna Ralston  •  Mildred Harris  •  Philo McCullough

The naive newspaper cub Clem lands a scoop when he's sent out to cover a murder. In his enthusiasm he writes that the main suspect is Jane. When she confronts Clem, she convinces him to help her prove her innocence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Douglas Fairbanks Jr.  •  Jobyna Ralston  •  Mildred Harris  •  Philo McCullough

Why We Fight (2005)

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eugene Jarecki
CAST:  Ken Adelman  •  John Ashcroft  •  Osama Bin Laden  •  George W. Bush

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eugene Jarecki
CAST:  Ken Adelman  •  John Ashcroft  •  Osama Bin Laden  •  George W. Bush

Lady for a Day (1933)

Never-wed, poor, rough around the edges Apple Annie has always written to her daughter, Louise, in Spain that she is married and a member of New York's high society. Upon receiving unexpected word from Louise (who hasn't seen Annie since infancy) that she is en ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Warren William  •  May Robson  •  Guy Kibbee  •  Glenda Farrell

Never-wed, poor, rough around the edges Apple Annie has always written to her daughter, Louise, in Spain that she is married and a member of New York's high society. Upon receiving unexpected word from Louise (who hasn't seen Annie since infancy) that she is en ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Warren William  •  May Robson  •  Guy Kibbee  •  Glenda Farrell

Flight (1929)

Two Marine pilots in love with the same girl are assigned a mission to find a notorious bandit in Nicaragua. This early talkie from director Frank Capra, released in 1929, stars Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Lila Lee.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jack Holt  •  Lila Lee  •  Ralph Graves  •  Joe Bordeaux

Two Marine pilots in love with the same girl are assigned a mission to find a notorious bandit in Nicaragua. This early talkie from director Frank Capra, released in 1929, stars Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Lila Lee.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jack Holt  •  Lila Lee  •  Ralph Graves  •  Joe Bordeaux

Dirigible (1931)

Dirigible commander Jack Braden and Navy pilot 'Frisky' Pierce fight over the glory associated with a successful expedition to the South Pole and the love of beautiful Helen, Frisky's wife. After Braden's dirigible expedition fails, Frisky tries an expedition by ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jack Holt  •  Ralph Graves  •  Fay Wray  •  Hobart Bosworth

Dirigible commander Jack Braden and Navy pilot 'Frisky' Pierce fight over the glory associated with a successful expedition to the South Pole and the love of beautiful Helen, Frisky's wife. After Braden's dirigible expedition fails, Frisky tries an expedition by ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Jack Holt  •  Ralph Graves  •  Fay Wray  •  Hobart Bosworth

Why We Fight: The Battle of China (1944)

The sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series illustrates Japan's occupation of China, including Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's stirring address before congress, the rape of Nanking, the great 2,000 mile migration, and Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Anthony Veiller  •  Walter Huston

The sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series illustrates Japan's occupation of China, including Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's stirring address before congress, the rape of Nanking, the great 2,000 mile migration, and Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Anthony Veiller  •  Walter Huston

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike (1943)

The second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and the Nazis as its latest incarnation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Edvard Beneš  •  Neville Chamberlain  •  Clementine Churchill  •  Winston Churchill

The second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and the Nazis as its latest incarnation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Edvard Beneš  •  Neville Chamberlain  •  Clementine Churchill  •  Winston Churchill

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia (1943)

The fifth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, revealing the nature and process of the fight between the Soviet Union and Germany in the Second World War.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Anthony Veiller  •  Ion Antonescu  •  Nikolai Cherkasov  •  Miklós Horthy

The fifth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, revealing the nature and process of the fight between the Soviet Union and Germany in the Second World War.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Anthony Veiller  •  Ion Antonescu  •  Nikolai Cherkasov  •  Miklós Horthy

Prelude to War (1942)

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Max Schmeling  •  Walter Huston

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra  •  Anatole Litvak
CAST:  Max Schmeling  •  Walter Huston
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