I don't know where I got the idea, but I was sure this was a Frank Capra film. I was quite surprised, when I realized in the end credits, that it wasn't a Capra film. It's quite Capraesque.
Not that there's anything wrong with that!
I found this a charming film.
Spare me your 6th grade Michael Moore logic! ~ Secretary Heller; 24, Day 4, 7:30:00 a.m.
If Frank Capra directed it, it would have been better. The movie was written by Robert Riskin, who wrote many of the classic Capra movies. There are some who think that it's Riskin who invented the Capra formula. This movie shows Riskin without Capra. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE shows Capra without Riskin. The latter film is much better. I think this shows that Capra was the greater talent.
Sam Tomaino
I agree. Writing is an important component of film-making but it takes a great director to edit, shape and give life to even the best script. Not that this was a great script in the first place despite the banner title boosting Riskin's contribution, talk about name above the title. I didn't enjoy the film very much. I wasn't convinced by the duality of Stewart's character and in particular his conversion to true love just after he's slated new girl-friend Jane Wyman over the phone to a colleague.
A strange little film with little to commend it, it never once grabbed my emotions like the best Capra films do.
Not so sure. They both seemed to lose their way after 1950.
shareThe wholesome theme of community values was certainly Capraesque, reminding me of the same thematic qualities in Mr Deeds Goes to Town and Mr Smith Goes to Washington. However it did come across as heavy handed in this film, which slightly lessened my viewing enjoyment.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
Agree about the tone of Magic being similar to Deeds & Smith but haven't gotten the 'heavy handed' feeling yet. There's a kid on crutches, a touch of the post war buddy thing, the big corporation that wants the little guy. But that's just setting the theme not pounding nails in.
There isn't the swept away that best Capra films offer. maybe by end.
There's some female empowerment to tip hat to fems who helped win the war.
Getting a bit of Preston Sturges Americana for what that's worth. Just a nice little slice of life entertainment. Not MFA film school material but fun to see.
Just thought of the line when Reagan ran for President, "Jane Wyman was right." Matter of fact RR could have played this Smith role easliy.
Elements of Ace in the Hole 1951 (The Big Carnival). It was in the air to deal with self-examination -- the quick buck after the war years of bounding together. It was, and still is, seen discussing advertising, P.R., sports, construction, politics, medicine. Critics only seemed to go lightly on ripping education (Black Board Jungle later) and motherhood. Just about everything else was fair game for tearing off the scabs in facade of society under stress. Film noir was one approach and another was this kind. Both work.
Noticed how one of the poll questions was Would You Vote for a Woman President?
Now we might be on edge of answering that one. What irony 67 years later.
Amazing that they could broach the concept of a female Presidential candidate even if in a polling spoof.
Check this from NY Times today. Something in the water or air in 1947?
ON THIS DAY
On June 24, 1997, the Air Force released a report on the so-called "Roswell Incident," suggesting the alien bodies witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies.
It's Capraesque Jim, but not quite as we know it. 🐭
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