UPDATED
JUNE 22, 2006
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LINKS
(With
some notes on content)
 Classic
Film Director Frank Capra
Well
organized site with a thorough range of information on Capra.
Photographs of Capra
The "Hollywood Renegades Archive" has two nice photos of Capra (which they also sell copies of).
Roger
Ebert: Essay on Capra's It's A Wonderful Life
"What is remarkable about "It's a Wonderful
Life" is how well it holds up over the years; it's one
of those ageless movies, like "Casablanca" or "The
Third Man," that improves with age. Some movies, even
good ones, should only be seen once. When we know how they
turn out, they've surrendered their mystery and appeal. Other
movies can be viewed an indefinite number of times. Like great
music, they improve with familiarity. "It's a Wonderful
Life" falls in the second category."
Ebert's
easy-to-read, talky analysis of Capra's film & it's recurrent
phenomena. More
Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington
More or less a transcript of the entire film, with much of
the dialogue written out.
Reel
Classics Tribute to Frank Capra
Fan site on Capra
Miss
Arthur Goes to Hollywood
Tribute site on frequent Capra actress Jean Arthur.
"Story
of A Good Man in a Bad Town"
"Leni Reifenstahl lives in infamy because
she propagandized for the German Nazi regime, but America's
greatest propagandist, Frank Capra, still holds a special
place in the hearts of his fellow citizens."
A
somewhat overwrought analysis of the 'rosy platitudes' in Mr.Smith Goes to Washington, but still a good read,
and condensation of what seem like the usual socialist critiques
of Capra's films. More
UK GUARDIAN Review:
The Bitter Tea of General Yen
"Shrewd and talented as he was, Capra's espousal
of the virtues of the little man reek of whimsy and wishful
thinking and, though we were once taken in by their sheer
entertainment value, they remain among American cinema's most
cosily absurd fables." (From the review by Derak Malcom.)
Huh?
Although there is a (positive) review of Bitter Tea in this nine-paragraph savaging of Capra, his films and America
in general, it shows a certain amount of disinterest on the
part of the reviewer. Certain details are recalled wrongly
(e.g., the "threatening Chinese man" mentioned in
the review, re: the dream sequence, is in fact General Yen,
something that is telegraphed very simply to the audience
by Capra in that he practically superimposes Nils Asther's
face over 'the threatening Chinese man' so that you cannot
escape the connection... unless of course you're not watching
the movie). What's worse, the reviewer misses the whole point
of the ending in that the writer thinks Yen commits suicide
because "Alas, however, the the war turns against
him and he poisons himself." A more careful viewing
of the film would show that Yen's decision to die has more
to do with the American Missionary woman, and is in fact his
final effort to reach her. Obviously Yen's death resolves
several perfunctory plot issues - - but the issue of the relationship,
which is the entire theme and raison for the tale,
would (or should be) be hard to miss.
But
the dilemma for the Guardian reviewer of seeing this
film is probably best summed up with his statement "The
film looks marvelous, almost in the Sternberg mould, with
black and white lighting culled from special portrait lenses
and the sort of richly textured decor that only MGM could
contemplate at the time." Yes, he "saw"
the film, but apparently didn't (alas) "see" it.
American
Vision: The Films of Frank Capra
A site with promotional text about Ray Carney's Welsyelan
University class about Capra. From the text: "Carney
finds in Capra's life and work a classic American struggle
for self expression within the repressive structures of ordinary
life."
The
Matinee Idol: A Miracle of Restoration
Online essay on the restoration of Capra's silent film.
It's
A Wonderful Life
Site dedicated to the Capra film, with polls, guestbook,
many images & trivia info.
Classic
Films: Frank Capra
Site with many links, and concise information on Capra.
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