Frank Capra's American Dream

Frank Capra's American Dream

🎞️ Movie 115 min US
โ˜… 7.4 /10 1997

The life and career of legendary, three-time Oscar winner Frank Capra is explored in this acclaimed documentary through clips from his films, interviews with friends, family, and co-workers, and revealing archival film including footage of Capra himself. The director started as a poor Italian immigrant and through ambition, hard work, and talent singlehandedly put Poverty Row Columbia Studios on the map with classics like 'American Madness,' 'Lost Horizon,' and 'Meet John Doe,' as well as Oscar winners 'It Happened One Night,' 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,' and 'You Can't Take It with You,'' culminating with his masterpiece, 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Capra's professional and personal philosophy of 'One man, one film predated the auteur theory by decades. Capra's wartime service and educational TV experience are detailed along with his two last features, 'A Hole in the Head' and 'Pocketful of Miracles,' made after the collapse of the studio system resulting in the director's premature retirement.

Cast

Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Self
Self - Host and Narrator
Robert Altman
Robert Altman
Self
Self - Interviewee: Director
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Jeanine Basinger
Self
Self - Interviewee: Curator, Capra Archives, Weslayan University
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Self
Self - Interviewee: Sound Technician
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Self
Director
Allen Daviau
Allen Daviau
Self
Self - Interviewee
André De Toth
André De Toth
Self
Self - Interviewee: Director
Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss
Self
Self - Interviewee
Bill Duke
Bill Duke
Self
Self - Interviewee: Director
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John Hodian
Composer
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Rick Pendleton
Cinematographer