“Her first really great role, the one that cemented the “Jean Arthur character,” was as the wisecracking big-city reporter who eventually melts for country rube Gary Cooper in Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). It was the first of three terrific films for Capra: Jean played the down-to-earth daughter of an annoyingly wacky family in Capra’s rendition of Kaufman and Hart’s You Can’t Take It With You (1938), and she was another hard-boiled city gal won over by a starry-eyed yokel in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). “Jean Arthur is my favorite actress,” said Capra, who had successfully worked with Stanwyck, Colbert and Hepburn. “. . . push that neurotic girl . . . in front of the camera . . . and that whining mop would magically blossom into a warm, lovely, poised and confident actress.” Capra obviously recognized that Jean was often frustrated in her career choice.”
Eve Golden, Bride of Golden Images“Film is one of the three universal languages, the other two: mathematics and music.”
Frank Capra“Film is one if three universal languages, the other two: mathematics and music.”
Frank Capra“I made mistakes in drama. I thought drama was when actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries.”
Frank Capra“Frank Capra's grandson was a second Assistant Director on 'Christmas Vacation.'”
Chevy Chase“Liberty is too precious to be buried in books. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say, 'I'm free'.”
Sidney Buchman, Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington