
Frank Capra
Director · 1897 – 1991 · Bisacquino, Sicilia, Italia
Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario 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".
Movies20
Movie7.8ComedyRomanceA runaway heiress makes a deal with the rogue reporter trailing her but the mismatched pair end up stuck with each other when their bus leaves them behind.
It Happened One Night
1934 · 1.5K votes
Movie6.3DocumentaryHistoryA documentary looking at the life and career of film director Frank Capra. Hosted by Ron Howard.
Frank Capra's American Dream
1997 · 9 votes
Movie6.3DocumentaryThis 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeches for films released in 1939 with recipients and presenters including Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Hattie McDaniel and more, with host Bob Hope.
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940 · 3 votes
Movie7.0DocumentaryComedyOut-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983 · 3 votes
Movie7.5DocumentaryTV MovieThis documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
2009 · 12 votes
Movie6.5DocumentaryDocumentary about James Stewart's long career as an actor and positive personal life.
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1987 · 2 votes
Movie5.8DocumentaryBiography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
1985 · 14 votes
Movie6.0DocumentaryTells the story of how Frank Capra, a young and penniless immigrant, rose through the ranks of early Hollywood to become one of the Great American storytellers.
Frank Capra: Mr. America
2023 · 5 votes
Movie7.9DocumentaryWarThe extraordinary story of how Hollywood changed World War II – and how World War II changed Hollywood, through the interwoven experiences of five legendary filmmakers who went to war to serve their country and bring the truth to the American people: John Ford, William Wyler, John Huston, Frank Capra, and George Stevens. Based on Mark Harris’ best-selling book, “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War.”
Five Came Back
2017 · 45 votes
Movie5.3DocumentaryThis second entry in MGM's "Romance of Film" series documents how celluloid movie film is processed and features behind-the-scenes glimpses of current MGM productions.
Another Romance of Celluloid
1938 · 3 votes
Movie7.5DocumentaryHistoryIs 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.
Why We Fight
2005 · 125 votes
Movie10.0DocumentaryBurgess Meredith narrates this insightful MGM-produced documentary about the life and career of Hollywood legend Clark Gable, from his childhood in Ohio, to his star status in Hollywood, and to his romantic life off-screen, including his marriage to Carole Lombard. The film incorporates classic film footage of Gable with interviews of people from his past, including an old classmate from his school days, a former sweetheart, and his press agent. Another treat is the rare home movie footage of Gable and Lombard on a camping trip.
Dear Mr. Gable
1968 · 1 votes
Movie6.3DocumentaryTom Bosley hosts a documentary the looks into the story behind how one of cinema's greatest films It's A Wonderful Life was made.
The Making of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
1990 · 3 votes
Movie8.0DocumentaryWarFor the USA, World War 2 was an all-out war - to mobilize the masses, the US government launched a huge propaganda campaign and cinema, the medium of the masses, was quite simply their most important weapon. Government authorities monitored the production of feature films and the military itself produced documentaries aimed at rallying the American people to support the troops. This film tells the story of four Hollywood directors of European origin, who returned to the "Old World" during the Second World War to make propaganda documentaries for the US Army at the front: William Wyler from Alsace, Frank Capra from Italy, Anatole Litvak from Ukraine and - in post-war Germany - Billy Wilder from Austria.
Movie7.0DocumentaryA behind-the-scenes look at all the responsibilities (and headaches) a director assumes when making a motion picture.
The Screen Director
1951 · 2 votes
Movie9.0DocumentaryTV MovieFrank Capra was one of Hollywood's most popular and respected directors in the 1930s and 1940s. His best-known films include "Isn't Life Beautiful?", "The Bottom Ten Thousand" and "Arsenic and Lace". His career from poor Sicilian immigrant to successful director stands for the American dream and brings him surprisingly close to his characters. But what in his depictions of America and its everyday heroes is reality, and where does the dream begin?
Frank Capra, il était une fois l'Amérique
2020 · 5 votes
Movie6.0DocumentaryA 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.
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
1938 · 1 votes
Movie6.0WesternThe owner of a gambling hall is entrusted with the care of a pretty young girl. He falls in love with her, but he must decide whether to let her go to his best friend, with whom he believes her to be in love, or to try to win her for himself.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
1919 · 2 votes
- Movie7.0Documentary
Career overview of Hollywood legend Frank Capra by Time magazine film critic Richard Schickel.
The Men who Made the Movies: Frank Capra
1973 · 1 votes
Movie6.0DocumentaryA Columbia Pictures promotional short which explains how a movie is made.
Screen Snapshots (Series 12, No. 2)
1932 · 1 votes
Series4
TV6.8Talk ShowThe Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.
The Dick Cavett Show
1968 · 22 votes
TV6.3RealityIn 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973 · 3 votes
TV7.2DocumentaryWar & PoliticsFive acclaimed contemporary directors tell the story of five legendary Hollywood filmmakers who enlisted in the armed forces to document World War II.
Five Came Back
2017 · 75 votes
TV7.0DocumentaryWar & Politics