Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fresh and Exciting

Excellent but underrated film

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

from the entire work, so rich, of Frank Capra, for me, this film defines him in profound manner. because it is a manifesto. about social values, about the clash between perspectives about life and importance of honesty, about profound values who define America. and the best thing is the option for Gary Cooper as mister Deeds, not only for the impeccable explore of the nuances of role but for the status of symbol of the return to the simplicity who gives sense to existence. sure, it is not an original idea. but it is so useful for our time. because the challenges are the same. the same must be the answer. honest to yourself. convinced by the clear border between wrong and right. generous because it could not be other choice. revolutionary because yours mission is to remind the importance of simple gestures who gives sense and joy. a film about a simple man. and his fundamental choices.

The first part of this movie is a very well done romantic comedy, in which first-rate actors, led by a first-rate director (Capra), bring to very real, moving life a first-rate script.Then the farmer shows up with the gun, and the movie moves into a different realm, that where greatness resides.Deeds discovers the joy of helping his fellow man, or more specifically those of his fellow men who are willing to work to help themselves.At the same time, we see, through the lawyer, that dispersal of large fortunes - an issue in an era when there was still some respect for anti-trust laws - is presented as a threat to the very nation. Rather similar to the cries that came from our "too big to fail" banks when, after they caused the Great Recession, some in government tried to bring them under control.We also see that the powers of high finance can buy medicine - the psychiatrist from Vienna who doodles - to support their case. (This movie is almost frighteningly relevant to our own times.) We marvel at a man who realizes that the real happiness his fortune can buy is the chance to help those who need help, rather than to spend it on himself.This movie gets a 10 from me only because that's as high as the scale goes. Up until the farmer appears, it's a very well made romantic comedy. From there to the end, it's truly off the charts.

Frank Capra mark is, always, strong guarantee for a movie. this case is not an exception. but it remains special. not only for script, performances or director but for a strange result. the script is far to be coherent, the events are not realistic. but the errors are its virtue. because it has the perfect cast, the high ambition level and a story for everyone. a social message is mixed with crumbs from Don Quijote. and the result has splendid effect. a film about innocence and descending in heart of cruel town. a memorable speech in American spirit. an ambiguous character because Deeds remains a shadow. the love who brakes all. an useful film for convert the fear, to create the hope in the best form. that is all. and the key for a great success.

Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper) is a beloved tuba-playing greeting card writer in the tiny Mandrake Falls in Vermont. When his forgotten banker uncle Martin Semple dies, he is the sole benefactor of the $20 million fortune. His uncle's scheming lawyer John Cedar (Douglass Dumbrille) brings him back to NYC and tries to hide his firm's stealing by getting him to sign the power of attorney. Ex-newspaperman Cornelius Cobb (Lionel Stander) tries valiantly to keep him out of bad PR trouble. Everybody is trying to take advantage of him thinking he's a small town simpleton. He wants to give away the fortune and rescue a damsel in distress. Ace reporter Babe Bennett (Jean Arthur) insinuate into his life by pretending to be poor girl Mary Dawson fainting in front of him. She starts writing articles giving him the nickname "Cinderella Man" which he hates.Gary Cooper is the everyman nice guy. He has a childlike wonder and a upstanding persona while maintaining a sincerity in his performance. Jean Arthur is terrific as a real broad and the heart winning love. Lionel Stander takes a consolation prize for his hard talking character. It's a simple premise that Capra uses to elevate the nobility of the common man. It does turn serious which is a bit jarring in tone. It doesn't have the same resonance as when it was made during the Great Depression.