An unassuming greeting card writer from a small town in Vermont moves to New York City after inheriting a massive fortune from his uncle and is immediatley hounded by people trying to take advantage of him in “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.” Director Frank Capra (“It Happened One Night” 1934) filled this picture with excellent production values, memorable performances, and a marvelous screenplay by Robert Riskin.
This was a typical Capra film where he depicts everyday people triumphing over greed and corruption. Gary Cooper was an excellent choice for this role, and Jean Arthur was also superb in her first leading leading lady part in a feature film. (She had previously appearing in supporting roles.) Co-stars include Lionel Stander, H. B. Warner, George Bancroft, Douglass Dumbrille, Ruth Donnelly, Raymond Walburn, and George “Gabby” Hayes as a spokesman for the farmers.
The watchable “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” was a huge hit at the Depression Era box office for producer Frank Capra and Columbia Pictures. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Capra for Best Director. The non-winners were Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), Best Original Story, and Best Sound Recording. It was filmed at the Columbia Pictures lot in Hollywood, which is now the Sunset-Gower Studios at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. A remake was released in 2002 called “Mr. Deeds” starring Adam Sandler from Columbia Pictures and parent company Sony Pictures Releasing.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
cinema
My Review
An unassuming greeting card writer from a small town in Vermont moves to New York City after inheriting a massive fortune from his uncle and is immediatley hounded by people trying to take advantage of him in “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.” Director Frank Capra (“It Happened One Night” 1934) filled this picture with excellent production values, memorable performances, and a marvelous screenplay by Robert Riskin.
This was a typical Capra film where he depicts everyday people triumphing over greed and corruption. Gary Cooper was an excellent choice for this role, and Jean Arthur was also superb in her first leading leading lady part in a feature film. (She had previously appearing in supporting roles.) Co-stars include Lionel Stander, H. B. Warner, George Bancroft, Douglass Dumbrille, Ruth Donnelly, Raymond Walburn, and George “Gabby” Hayes as a spokesman for the farmers.
The watchable “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” was a huge hit at the Depression Era box office for producer Frank Capra and Columbia Pictures. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Capra for Best Director. The non-winners were Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), Best Original Story, and Best Sound Recording. It was filmed at the Columbia Pictures lot in Hollywood, which is now the Sunset-Gower Studios at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. A remake was released in 2002 called “Mr. Deeds” starring Adam Sandler from Columbia Pictures and parent company Sony Pictures Releasing.