I love Frank Capra movies. They are always heartfelt, touching, funny, entertaining and just plain good. They’re quintessentially American. Capra was king of movie morals, constantly teaching a lesson while keeping us entertained. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. He also knew how to gather the perfect ensemble cast. I’ve come to find that most of my holidays revolve around a Frank Capra film; they have become the cornerstones of my celebrations. So, I’m sharing them with you in the hopes that Frank Capra will become a regular part of your holidays, too.
You Can’t Take It with You – courtesy of IMDB
Valentine’s Day – You Can’t Take It with You is all about love, not just the romantic but the familial and friendly, too. Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are a young couple in love; the only problem is that Jimmy has wealthy, snobby parents while Jean has a loving, eccentric family. Lionel Barrymore plays her grandfather, the quirky patriarch that values people over possessions. Edward Arnold plays Jimmy’s dad who is more concerned about stock prices and social standing than treating people kindly. The ensemble cast is excellent and includes a young Ann Miller, Spring Byington and Donald Meek. It’s a heartwarming movie with a beautiful moral. You’ll most certainly be feeling the love after watching this.
Pocketful of Miracles – courtesy of IMDB
Mother’s Day – As Dean Martin sang in Robin and the Seven Hoods “Any man who loves his mother is man enough for me.” After making Pocketful of Miracles, Frank Capra must have been very manly. The great Bette Davis stars as Apple Annie, a beggar who sells apples to bootlegger Dave the Dude, played by Glenn Ford. Annie finds out that her daughter that she sent to live in Spain is returning to America with her fiance, the Count, and his mother. Desperate to keep up the charade that she is a society woman, Annie enlists Dave to help her impress her daughter’s soon-to-be-husband and mother-in- law. The movie is all about the lengths to which a mother will go for her child. You’ll want to call mommy after this one.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – courtesy of IMDB
The Fourth of July – Capra had a way of all at once critiquing and celebrating the American political system, which is so American in and of itself. His movies have a way of encouraging patriotism along with creating subtle reservations about the political machine. It’s kind of amazing. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington does all of this in a wonderful way. Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart) is appointed to the Senate by sneaky Sen. Joseph Harrison Paine, played by the in-Roz’s-opinion-totally-unsung Claude Rains. Though he’s naive and idealistic, Jefferson is no simpleton and he willingly stands against the corruption he encounters in DC. Jean Arthur costars as Saunders, a fast-talking reporter, and character actor Edward Arnold is political boss Jim Taylor. Filmed right before World War II, the film warns against political corruption but sings the praises of American democracy.
Arsenic and Old Lace – courtesy of IMDB
Halloween – Arsenic and Old Lace is the best Cary Grant movie of all time. He exhibits his excellent comedic skills while looking handsome and dashing. Reportedly, he felt that he overacted, but I think that’s part of the charm of his character, Mortimer Brewster. Mortimer is a staunch opponent of marriage, having written against it in his recent play. When the movie opens, we find him on Halloween purchasing a marriage license with his bride, Elaine, played by Priscilla Lane. Mortimer’s two maiden aunts (Josephine Hull and Jean Adair are adorable) are thrilled to find their nephew is on his way to Niagara Falls, but the honeymoon is interrupted when Mortimer finds a dead body in the window seat. Chaos ensues. Thrown into the mix are Mortimer’s brother – the one who looks like Boris Karloff – and his assistant, played by the terrifying Raymond Massey and weasley Peter Lorre. Another nephew, played to perfection by John Alexander, thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt and constantly charges up the steps to the sound of a bugle. The great Jack Carson does an excellent job as a bumbling police officer who also happens to be an aspiring playwright. It’s absolutely hysterical with a wonderful ensemble cast. Also, it’s creepy but not scary enough to inspire nightmares – just the right amount of macabre for a fun Halloween.
It’s a Wonderful Life – courtesy of IMDB
Christmas – No Christmas would be complete without a viewing of Frank Capra’s masterpiece It’s a Wonderful Life. This movie needs little preamble because most of us have seen it, but I love it so I will write about it gratuitously anyway. The movie begins in Heaven. God, St. Joseph and a soon-to-be-winged angel named Clarence are reviewing the life of the good George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart). George longed to travel, but a series of tragedies and unexpected circumstances kept him in Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve, George finds himself disenchanted with life, standing on a bridge contemplating suicide. Luckily, Clarence has other plans for George. As with all Capra movies, the cast is excellent: Donna Reed plays George’s wife, Mary, and is perfect opposite Stewart. Lionel Barrymore is the greedy villain, Mr. Potter. Henry Travers plays Clarence, the angel. Beulah Bondi is George’s loving, patient mother. Thomas Mitchell is perfect as George’s forgetful Uncle Billy. If you wanted to, you could consider this movie as a slightly darker version of You Can’t Take It with You – it warns against greed, emphasizes treating people with kindness and respect, and preaches the importance of every life. It’s truly beautiful. This movie pairs well with hot cocoa, wool socks, snow and a blanket.
Roz Writes 