As movie tend to drop into formulas all too familiar these
days it’s nice to go back once in a while and watch something from the past,
something that after all these years seems fresher than many movies being made
today. And for my money if you want to find a movie that will make you laugh
and think at the same time there is no better movies than those made by
director Frank Capra. So when I heard that this was coming out in a special
edition I was pleased as punch.
Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the
story revolves around a unique family to say the least. Led by patriarch Martin
Vanderhoff (Lionel Barrymore), a man who walked away from work years ago to
enjoy life, the household has a number of offbeat characters living there.
Among them are his daughter Penny Sycamore (Spring Byington) who’s been working
on a novel for years, her husband Paul (Samuel S. Hinds) who is in the midst of
creating fireworks, their daughter Essie (Ann Miller) who dreams of being a
ballerina, her husband Ed (Dub Taylor) who distributes Essie’s candy she makes
and wants to play the xylophone and Alice (Jean Arthur), the most apparently
normal one of the group. This is a house filled with what some might call
misfits but in truth are a group of people doing what they enjoy rather than
what they must as designated by society.
As the story opens businessman Anthony P. Kirby (Edward
Arnold) is trying to buy out a 12 block area of the city in hopes of tearing it
all down to build a munitions factory for the government, a deal which will
make him richer than he already is. The only hold out so far is Mr. Vanderhoff
though Kirby isn’t aware of him by name.
At the same time Kirby’s son Tony (Jimmy Stewart) has fallen
in love with his secretary and her with him. What no one is aware of is that
his secretary is none other than Alice. Tony’s snobbish mother is unhappy with
his choice of girlfriend seeing as how the young girl isn’t a member of high
society. Before Alice is willing to accept Tony’s proposal she invites him to
bring his family to meet the future in-laws. Unfortunately Tony brings them the
night before they are scheduled which starts a ball rolling that results in
some hilarious moments as well as problems for all involved.
The end result is a movie that not only flicks at your funny
bone but touches your heart as well. And that was the thing with most Capra
films, they didn’t feel fake or phony but felt real like these were people you
could meet while walking down the street. They might be a bit eccentric but
they had principles and ideals, they wanted the best out of life and did what
they could to achieve that. The wealthy are portrayed not so much as evil as
misguided, in pursuit of something the might never achieve which is the
happiness that those far lower on the rungs of society find on a daily basis.
In the end what you come away with is an understanding that money might help at
times but it isn’t the be all to end all.
What I love about Capra’s films as well is the performances
he gets from everyone in a film. For me a great performance isn’t one that goes
over the top, one that you sit marveling at the performance being given. To me
a great performance is one where I honestly believe the people I am watching
are those characters they are performing as. Barrymore comes off as the kindly
grandpa here who wants nothing more than for the government to leave him alone,
for big business to go elsewhere and for his family and neighbors to be happy
and content. Stewart is believable as a young man in love willing to chuck it
all for her. Arnold once again is the stuffed shirt who lightens up eventually.
And Capra’s fall back star Jean Arthur presents herself as a woman in love who
adores her family but knows they aren’t what most people call normal at the
same time.
The movie is a joy to watch and one that stand the test of
repeat viewings. I think I’ve seen it at least a half dozen times now and each
time I find myself laughing, rooting for the underdog and getting choked up at
moments that were planned out for me to do so. While many tagged his films as
“Capra-corn” for me they will forever hold a place in my heart. With few
exceptions he never made a movie that isn’t worth watching more than once. This
movie not only deserves a place in your heart but one on your shelf as well.
Extras include a short documentary interview with Frank
Capra Jr. and more. The special edition comes in a cover that includes a
booklet for fans to read and has been restored to the best version of the film
available. It makes a great complimentary piece to the PREMIERE FRANK CAPRA
COLLECTION, even if it’s included in that set.
Click here to order.
No comments:
Post a Comment