- published: 05 Feb 2010
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Frank Russell Capra (May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s. His rags-to-riches story, having worked his way through college, has led film historians like Ian Freer to consider Capra the "American dream personified."
Capra became one of America's most powerful directors during the 1930s, winning three Oscars as Best Director. Among his leading films was It Happened One Night (1934), which became the first film to win all five top Oscars, including Best Picture. Other leading films included Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Lost Horizon (1937), You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and State of the Union (1948). Because of his early fame as a director, his name was listed "above the title" of his films when they were publicized. People "flocked to the theaters" during the 1930s and 1940s to see films directed by Frank Capra.
Actors: Patt Noday (actor), Peter Jurasik (actor), Meg Lansaw (miscellaneous crew), Keith Flippen (actor), Nuno Malo (composer), Phillip DeVona (actor), Eric Paisley (actor), Terry Linehan (producer), Jacquelyn Zook (actress), Steven St. Gelais (actor), Leigh Leverett (costume designer), Jack Landry (actor), Craig Rogers (producer), Joel R. Wells (miscellaneous crew), Chip Hackler (producer),
Plot: Blindsided by the success of his comedy, 'It Happened One Night,' which swept the 1935 Oscars, director Frank Capra became crippled with fear. Convinced his next film would fail, he deteriorated to the brink of death--until the day a mysterious stranger showed up, changing Capra's life, and films, forever.
Keywords: independent-film, period-drama, spiritualActors: Lionel Barrymore (actor), Frank Capra (actor), James Gleason (actor), Buck Jones (actor), Charles Ruggles (actor), Silver (actor), James Stewart (actor), Jean Arthur (actress), Harriet Parsons (producer), Ralph Staub (producer), Ralph Staub (writer), Ralph Staub (director),
Plot: A visit to Buck Jones's new ranch and his horse, Silver, to James Gleason and his dog, to Charles Ruggles and his kennels; on the set of 'You Can't Take it With You', director Frank Capra and stars James Stewart and Jean Arthur celebrate Lionel Barrymore's sixtieth birthday; a ski meet is held at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Keywords: birthday, birthday-party, corral, dog-trainer, hollywood, horse, kennel, movie-actor, movie-director, movie-set