Biography
Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was a Sicilian-born American film director and a creative force behind a number of films of the 1930s and 1940s, including It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). His films often deal with rags-to-riches stories wich has led film historians such as Ian Freer to consider him the "American Dream personified".
Awards & recognition
- National Medal of Arts · 1986
- AFI Life Achievement Award · 1982
- Inkpot Award · 1974
- Golden Plate Award · 1970
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1939
Show all 21 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1937
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1935
- American Campaign Medal
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Inter-Allied Victory Medals
- Legion of Merit
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- World War II Victory Medal
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1940 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1939 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1937 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1935 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1934 · nominated
Filmography39 titles
Attack in the Pacific
It's a Wonderful Life
Five Came Back
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
It Happened One Night
Our Mr. Sun
Arsenic and Old Lace
Why We Fight
You Can't Take It with You
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Pocketful of Miracles
Meet John Doe
War Comes to America
Lady for a Day
Westward the Women
Here Is Germany
Attack! The Battle for New Britain
Lost Horizon
The Battle of Russia
American Madness
The Dick Cavett Show
Why We Fight: The Battle of China
Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain
State of the Union
Platinum Blonde
The Miracle Woman
The Matinee Idol
Why We Fight
Forbidden
Tunisian Victory
Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike
The Power of the Press
The Bitter Tea of General Yen
A Hole in the Head
Ladies of Leisure
Broadway Bill
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
Submarine
Here Comes the Groom