Frank Capra, one of the greatest directors in American film history was the creator of a quasi-trilogy in the late 1930s and early 40s with his films Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and Meet John Doe (1941).
In the making of these films, the director, Frank Capra, strove to create a character who was an exceptional American. In doing this he created his own version of the American dream which film critics have since labeled “Capracorn.” Capra’s creation of this American dream really began with Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and was reinforced with his following two films. While 
these films aren’t officially a trilogy, it very well could have been. In Mr. Deeds Goes to Town the lead man, Longfellow Deeds, was played by actor Gary Cooper. When Capra became the director of the project his intention was to have Cooper be the lead in his next film as well, which was originally going to be titled Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington, but Cooper was not available at the time. Capra then borrowed Jimmy Stewart from MGM to be the leading man in this second movie and changed the title to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. However, the leading actress remains the same in both films with Jean Arthur playing the 
roles of a hot-shot reporter and a senator’s aid (Edgerton).
All three of these Capra films represent the dreams of the common man. The plots of these films each have the leading actor being granted an opportunity that what the masses of common man would love to be given. Mr. Deeds goes to town has Longfellow Deeds being given the opportunity of wealth when he inherits $20,000,000. In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington we find Jefferson Smith, played by Jimmy Stewart, suddenly granted the opportunity of status and position. Likewise, Meet John Doe gives John Willoughby "John Doe", played by Gary Cooper, a sudden chance at fame. In each case the hero is able to make his way past the temptation of selfishness that comes along with wealth, status, and fame because he accepts his role as the conveyor of the beliefs and concerns of the American masses (Gallagher).
Additionally, this trilogy of films provides an "acquisition of awareness" within the leading actors. Deeds, Smith, and Doe all appear in the beginning of their respective films as thirty something year old men who have apparently never had any social pressures or any type of attention from women. As the plot develops the hero discovers himself by discovering that he has happened to be chosen as the spokesperson for the needs of the common man and true American ideals, such as decency, fair play, and equality. Lastly, each of these films focuses on a certain act of speech in order to confirm the hero's discovery of their true purpose. Deeds' speech comes in a courtroom, Smith's on a Senate floor, and Doe's in an attempt to prove that he is not a forgery (Gallagher).
these films aren’t officially a trilogy, it very well could have been. In Mr. Deeds Goes to Town the lead man, Longfellow Deeds, was played by actor Gary Cooper. When Capra became the director of the project his intention was to have Cooper be the lead in his next film as well, which was originally going to be titled Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington, but Cooper was not available at the time. Capra then borrowed Jimmy Stewart from MGM to be the leading man in this second movie and changed the title to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. However, the leading actress remains the same in both films with Jean Arthur playing the 
roles of a hot-shot reporter and a senator’s aid (Edgerton).All three of these Capra films represent the dreams of the common man. The plots of these films each have the leading actor being granted an opportunity that what the masses of common man would love to be given. Mr. Deeds goes to town has Longfellow Deeds being given the opportunity of wealth when he inherits $20,000,000. In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington we find Jefferson Smith, played by Jimmy Stewart, suddenly granted the opportunity of status and position. Likewise, Meet John Doe gives John Willoughby "John Doe", played by Gary Cooper, a sudden chance at fame. In each case the hero is able to make his way past the temptation of selfishness that comes along with wealth, status, and fame because he accepts his role as the conveyor of the beliefs and concerns of the American masses (Gallagher).
Additionally, this trilogy of films provides an "acquisition of awareness" within the leading actors. Deeds, Smith, and Doe all appear in the beginning of their respective films as thirty something year old men who have apparently never had any social pressures or any type of attention from women. As the plot develops the hero discovers himself by discovering that he has happened to be chosen as the spokesperson for the needs of the common man and true American ideals, such as decency, fair play, and equality. Lastly, each of these films focuses on a certain act of speech in order to confirm the hero's discovery of their true purpose. Deeds' speech comes in a courtroom, Smith's on a Senate floor, and Doe's in an attempt to prove that he is not a forgery (Gallagher).
Works Cited
Edgerton, Gary. "Capra and Altman: Mythmaker and Mythologist." Literature Film Quarterly (1983): 28-35.
Gallagher, Brian. "Speech, Identity, and Ideology in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"." Film Criticism (1981): 12-22.
No comments:
Post a Comment