And now a Capra comedy

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Bill Wren

Last night TCM ran Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It With You and while I had the same response as what follows below — this is a very chaotic and cacophonous movie — this time I adapted to it better … Read more →

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Comedy gem – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Bill Wren

I’ve been prattling about comfort movies recently but so far have suggested only one example from the list I’m compiling. But tomorrow, Thursday, is Thanksgiving in the United States — which may go back as far as 1565, finding its … Read more →

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20 Movies: Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Bill Wren

A list of movies that didn’t include Alfred Hitchcock wouldn’t be much of a list. One of my favourites, and one I think it’s time I watched again, is Shadow of a Doubt, with a very creepy Uncle Charlie played … Read more →

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Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Bill Wren

Directed by Frank Capra There are good comedies and there are great comedies. Arsenic and Old Lace is a great comedy. It achieves greatness through all the elements that make any great film: wonderful script and wonderful performances. In many … Read more →

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Bill Wren

Directed by Frank Capra I had forgotten how much in love with Jean Arthur I was. I remembered as I watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Originally intended as a follow up to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (and titled … Read more →

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You Can’t Take It With You (1938)

Posted on May 18, 2003 by Bill Wren

Directed by Frank Capra Sometimes you can have all the right elements but they somehow don’t quite gel. This is the case with Frank Capra’s 1938 You Can’t Take It With You. It has all the Capra elements, has the … Read more →

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The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

Posted on May 13, 2003 by Bill Wren

Directed by Sam Wood This movie presents itself as the story of baseball great Lou Gehrig (played by Gary Cooper). But as with the much later film The Natural, it is about mythology. The difference is that The Natural is … Read more →

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