Brian of Pizzaspotz
Description: Frank Capra Movies are some of the best ever made. His blockbusters were made during his great run of success from 1931-1948.
This is an obscure list because I don’t believe enough people appreciate Frank Capra movies. He was a brilliant filmmaker and as a very conservative political man, he created some of the most populist films of his era. I think this shows his real talent as a director.
Here is our list of the top ten Frank Capra movies to watch while eating pizza. We hope you enjoy the movies and the pizza too.
10. Lady for a Day (1933)
This 1933 Frank Capra film stars May Robson, Warren Willilam, Guy Kibbee, Glenda Farrell. This is one of Frank Capra’s more underrated classics, but it’s well worth watching. The well written script by Robert Riskin was based on a short story by Damon Runyon. While not a message movie, this film is fun to watch.
9. You Can’t Take It with You (1938)
This film was Best Picture of 1938 and rightfully so. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart are amazing in what is labeled as a screwball comedy. The theme of this film, the encouraging of family members to pursue whatever vocation they so desire, is endearing. Great film. Great premise. Must see Frank Capra film.
8. The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)
This Frank Capra film is based on the novel by a writer with one of the best names ever, her name was Grace Zaring Stone. This movie was an attempt to make an artsy type film by director Frank Capra in order to get noticed by the Academy, espeecially after his American Madness the previous year had not been noticed by them. Starring Barbara Stanwyck as a young American missionary in China who is abducted by a Chinese warlord, this film tackled a Hollywood taboo, romance between different races. This is different in style from every other Capra film on this list. It’s a change of pace you’ll enjoy watching.
7. State of the Union (1948)
This quote from Frank Capra’s political statement film, “You politicians have stayed professionals only because the voters have remained amateurs,” works as well today as it did back then. This is a movie about an industrialist who is nominated for president. Spencer Tracy, the possible nominee is a true politician, denouncing big business, denouncing big labor, making special deals with everyone. This film might be best seen when politics aren’t in our face like it is this presidential year.
6. Lost Horizon
The star of Lost Horizon is one of my favorite comedic actors, Ronald Colman. Not exactly known for comedic roles, Colman was a comedic actor on the Jack Benny radio show in the late 40s and later starred in his own radio show comedy, The Halls of Ivy. In Lost Horizon, he plays Robert Conway, a British diplomat who, along with a group of civilians on board a plane, crash lands into a Himalayan Garden of Eden called Shangri-la where they are rescued by a group of mysterious people. The land seems perfect, a getaway from reality and is full of lush beauty. Some say the modern day kingdom of Bhutan was the setting for the story made popular by James Hilton’s book Lost Horizon. But as in other Frank Capra movies, things aren’t always what they seem. Maybe Shangri-la isn’t so Shangri-la(ish) after all.
5. Arsenic and Old Lace
Cary Grant plays a newspaperman who has always said he’d never get married. But, like many men, the day arrives when he does place a ring on the finger of a beautiful woman. Right after the wedding, he sets off to see his two elderly aunts to give them the shocking news of his newly wedded bliss. He goes to break the news but instead, he finds out through a fateful discovery, that his aunts have acquired a hobby. The hobby, his aunts are serial killers. This is one of the strangest comedies you’ll find from the 1940s.
4. Meet John Doe
A fired reporter writes a letter from a man who says he will kill himself because of all the problems faced by society. The newspaper hires a man (Gary Cooper) to portray the fictitious John Doe. Once John Willoughby (Cooper) begins philosophizing through columns and speeches written by Ann, the reporter (Barbara Stanwyck), an entire political movement is born. Is the movement really organic, or is there some sinister force behind it all? You’ll find out at just the right point in the movie. Great pacing. Great acting. Simply, this is one of Capra’s best films.
3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. He is idealistic. He is honest. He is not a politician. It doesn’t take long for Smith to become disillusioned with politicians, even one he has held in high esteem. After a disagreement with a political boss, the boss attempts to corrupt Smith and then tries to smear him with a scandal. Sounds a lot like real life politics, huh? This is a great political season film, but actually, is good to watch at anytime.
2. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Small town tuba player Longfellow Deeds is left a fortune by a relative. He winds up moving to the big city where he’s assailed by everyone who has a greedy thought. Deeds (Gary Cooper) keeps away from all who want his money until a female reporter finds the perfect way to get Deeds’ attention. She makes sure this small town boy in the big city sees a lady in trouble and of course, he decides to help her. The movie really begins when boy meets girl.
And finally, number one on our top ten Frank Capra movies to watch while eating pizza list…
1. It’s a Wonderful Life
Everyone knows George Bailey, don’t they? Every single Christmas season, It’s a Wonderful Life has been shown on cable or network television. Years ago, The movie was shown on multiple networks and fans of the film watched it numerous times each December. Frank Capra made this film in post-World War II America and is one of his great message films and this message was about the goodness of people. An angel named Clarence travels to earth to earn his wings while helping convince George Bailey (James Stewart) to embrace life and forego his desire to kill himself after a mishap that could send him to jail and close his savings and loan. If you’ve never seen the film, go see it now. You’ll love it.
My daughter shares my love of OTR. My boys prefer the “modern OTR” of Decoder Ring Theatre’s “Red Panda Adventures.” But I love Decoder Ring Theatre also, so it all works out.
Not weird. I listen to OTR almost every day. My son and I love it.
That sounds awesome. If I ever get to Texas I hope I can check it out. Is it odd that I long for the “good old days” that were over 30 years before I was born? (I even prefer old time radio to modern tv shows.)
You would have been in heaven the other night. They played Mr. Smith Goes to Washington at this historic theater…. This is an amazing place to watch a movie, twinkling stars on the ceiling, intermission, balcony, organ player before the show, curtains that pull open. Just saw they’ll be playing It’s a Wonderful Life on Dec 7th. You must come to Texas. http://paramount-abilene.org/ Thanks for your list.
My top 5 all-time favorite films are:
5. Arsenic and Old Lace
4. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
3. It Happened One Night (the glaring omission from your list, imo)
2. Meet John Doe
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (of course)
Other Capra favorites include Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can’t Take It With You, American Madness, Lost Horizon, Bitter Tea of General Yen and the silent Matinee Idol. The list ends there only because I haven’t seen any others yet (I’m working on it).
Thanks for your comment. Please share your faves with us. I know our list couldn’t include all the great ones. Capra is definitely one of the best. It was fun learning more about his life.
Capra is my all time favorite director. My top 5 favorite films are Capra films (four of them made your list). Excellent list. Glad to see more Capra appreciation out there.