BBBB.5
(out of 5)
Gary Cooper is gorgeous as an easygoing, normal fellow who has an entire fortune fall into his lap when a rich benefactor leaves him a sizable inheritance thanks to his being the benefactor’s only living relative (and a distant one at that). Being a man of the people, Cooper decides that the money will be better served if he gives it all to unemployed men living in Washington where his new mansion is, but he finds this difficult when evil suits decide to get in the way and take the estate away from him. Jean Arthur is at her peak as a reporter who at first ridicules Cooper but ends up being completely romanced by his good nature. If you’ve seen one Capraesque political comedy, you’ve seen them all, but this one is so good that it’s worth watching with a fresh perspective.
USA, 1936
Directed by Frank Capra
Screenplay by Robert Riskin, from a story by Clarence Budington Kelland
Cinematography by Joseph Walker
Produced by Frank Capra
Music by Howard Jackson
Production Design by Stephen Goosson
Costume Design by Samuel Lange
Film Editing by Gene Havlick
Academy Award
Best Directing (Frank Capra)
Nominations
Best Actor (Gary Cooper as “Longfellow Deeds”)
Outstanding Production (Columbia)
Best Sound Recording (Columbia Studio Sound Department, John Livadary, sound director)
Best Writing (Screenplay) (Robert Riskin)
