L'extravagant Mr. Deeds

In my opinion, a far superior work compared to that other Capra populist film `Mr. Smith Goes To Washington' (even Jean Arthur seems fresher her in a role that is a virtual remake of the aforementioned film). We like the story because we can identify with parvenus such as Mr. Deeds and this pulls us through all the way to the predictable, yet delightful and satisfying conclusion that takes place in that good ol' American institution, the courtroom. Just what the doctor ordered to battle a case of cynicism.

One of Frank Capra's strengths as a film director was the great team he assembled. Not only did he have a great technical group behind him, but his casts combined talent that went from the major stars to the bit players.

In this fable, Mr. Capra gives an answer to those of us that always pondered: what would one do if one inherited a lot of money, or if one won the lottery (fat chance!) It must be terrifying to suddenly have a lot of wealth, in this case 20 million during the worst days of the Great Depression. Sometimes it's better to stay poor rather than have to deal with strangers that have designs on one's newly found wealth!

Gary Cooper has never been as charming as the tuba playing, country bumpkin whose life is changed dramatically when he has to go to Manhattan to claim his inheritance. His Longfellow Deeds gets to see first hand how the high society, his uncle belonged to, deals with this unsophisticated greeting card writing poet.

Jean Arthur was a natural comedienne. She is wonderful in this movie as the reporter who tricks Deeds into speaking with her and in the process falls in love with the man, the object of the ridicule she writes about.

Leonard Standing, one of the best character actors of the era, is equally effective as Cobb, the man who knows a thing or two about those society folks. George Bancroft was also good as MacWade.

The film has a pace that never lets the viewer down. In comparison with what passes today as film comedy, this is a masterpiece. It shows the genius of Frank Capra in charge of this group of people that make us treasure films like this one even if it's pure nonsense, which after all, was what the director was looking for to make us laugh.

What a shame that this wonderful, charming, funny movie had to be remade back in 2002 starring Adam Sandler for now whenever the title Mr. Deeds is mentioned, the majority of people will recall that train wreck instead of this timeless story. What director Frank Capra is able to do here is create a tale of little city versus big city but also in dealing with corruption and helping out your fellow man.

These are themes common to nearly all Capra films and here Gary Cooper is able to transcend the idea of a major Hollywood star playing a down to earth, small-town idealist nice and considerate to all he meets unless they get deep under his skin. To those who reside in the giant city of New York, a bewildered man like this Longfellow Deeds would certainly stick out. And it is for this reason that a hotshot reporter would attempt to use him as a basis for an exclusive story and solely for her own benefit. This other theme of the dark side of media use is another Capra feels strongly about and it shines through especially in the final courtroom scenes when all is revealed and the true colors of all characters are established.

Gary Cooper is one of the most under-appreciated leading men in Hollywood history, perhaps because he didn't show the archetype leading man quality other big stars of his time did. He was always in his movies a good old boy, filled with love for his roots and the people he associated with that. He did it here and in Sergeant York, the result being two of his best performances in a long and storied career. Capra favorite Jean Arthur doesn't do or say much- until the epilogue when her character is needed most. And in this sequence, Arthur shows her complete variety of ability to cover both comedic and dramatic areas. Certainly a film to go back to again and again, this shows Capra's ability to carefully touch on very serious subjects with a deft comic touch as well as the great chemistry between Cooper and Arthur. So, if someone mentions Mr. Deeds to you, look for the older one and not the newer "modern" version.

No computer generated images, small 1:33 ratio black and white screen and yet there is nothing in the world that comes close to the intimacy of this experience. Just look at Gary Cooper listening, trying to understand. Look at Jean Arthur falling in love. We have lost something very important along the way and it's not just innocence. How is it possible that nobody can get anywhere near this simple magic trick? They used to call Capra films "Capracorn" I wonder what they call Adam Sandler, Freddy Prinze Jr, and Jennifer Love Hewit comedies today? I want to jump into a time machine and go to those days, the days of Mr Deeds, Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur and Frank Capra.

I had the privilege to watch the recently restored version on the big screen, or at least, a reasonably big screen, in the "Arsenal", the cinema of the Berlin Filmmuseum. And it was simply wonderful, a heart-warming experience. This film leaves you with such a pleasant daze, you almost want to shake hands with every stranger you meet when you're back on the streets.

What's there to add about one of the best loved films off all time, packed with gems and first-rate performances? Gary Cooper is just perfect in the title role as the seemingly ignorant small town tuba player from Mandrake Falls, Vermont. When he's informed he has inherited $20 million, he instantly leaves for New York to take care of the estate. Immediately everybody in town wants a piece of him, businessman, relatives and journalists, but he somehow manages to outsmart them all.

A deceptively simple story, this film is so much more than just a romantic comedy. There are some of the typical ingredients that so many Hollywood thirties-films contain, such as the typical depression-era social conscience, but when handled this way, it even puts a smile on the face of the most grumpy film theorist or historian. Jean Arthur has never been more appealing than this in a fantastic role as a hard-boiled newspaper journalist who initially is after Deeds too, but - off course - things turn out a little different than she thought. There's a not a single dull moment in the whole film, fast paced, a razor-sharp script and stellar performances all contribute to the enjoyment of the crazed proceedings in this film. One of the many highlights: When Deeds lets his butlers holler in the hall and stairwell of his mansion in order to enjoy the echoes they produce. Priceless!

Highly enjoyable, don't miss this one.