Frank Capra
Known for Directing
Born
May 18, 1897
Died
September 3, 1991 (age 94)
Birthplace
Bisacquino, Sicilia, Italia
Filmography
150 films, 5 shows
Movie DirectorRelease Date ↓All GenresAll ErasAny RatingAny Runtime
Why We Fight: World War II: The Battle of China / War Comes to America
Why We Fight: World War II: The Battle of China / War Comes to America
2000 · 1h 40m
country: Unknown
Part of Frank Capra's World War II propaganda series made for the U.S. Armed Forces, this program presents newsreel footage addressing the Battle of China and shifting opinion as the United States moves from isolationism to supporting the war. Highlights include Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's moving address to Congress, Edward R. Murrow's reports from London during the Blitz and Charles Lindbergh expressing his opposition to America entering the war.
Rendezvous in Space
1964 · 16m
country: United States
This documentary, the final film directed by Frank Capra, explores America's plans for the future of space exploration. It was produced by the Martin-Marietta Corporation for exhibition in the Hall of Science at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
TMDB3.6
Pocketful of Miracles
1961 · 2h 16m
country: United States
A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.
TMDB3.0
A Hole in the Head
1959 · 2h
country: United States
An impractical widower tries to hang onto his Miami hotel and his 12-year-old son.
TMDB2.6
The Strange Case of the Cosmic Rays
1957 · 55m
country: United States
Part of acclaimed filmmaker Frank Capra's "Wonders of Life" series of science-based films (which won an Emmy Award for Best Editing) teaches kids about the power of gamma rays and radiation.
TMDB4.0
Hemo the Magnificent
1957 · 54m
country: Unknown
Professor Frank Baxter and some animated friends answer questions about blood. what makes it red? Why do little animals' hearts beat so quickly? And so much more.
TMDB3.8
Our Mr. Sun
1956 · 57m
country: Unknown
One entry in a series of films produced to make science accessible to the masses—especially children—this film describes the sun in scientific but entertaining terms.
The Fallbrook Story
1952 · 31m
country: Unknown
“The Fallbrook Story,” is a 20-minute film of Cold War-era uneasiness in which director Frank Capra rails against what he calls the evils of Big Bureaucracy. In 1951, Capra lived in Fallbrook, California on his 1,000-acre Red Mountain Ranch farm filled with olive groves. The federal government, which had purchased the old Rancho Santa Margarita land in 1941 to build Camp Pendleton, was concerned that ranchers upstream would take or pollute the Santa Margarita River, which ran through Camp Pendleton. Capra’s film documents how Fallbrook residents fought back against the federal government.
TMDB2.6
Here Comes the Groom
1951 · 1h 53m
country: United States
Foreign correspondent Pete Garvey has 5 days to win back his former fiancée, or he'll lose the orphans he adopted.
TMDB2.9
Riding High
1950 · 1h 52m
country: United States
A horse trainer who has fallen on hard times looks to his horse, Broadway Bill, to finally win the big race.
TMDB3.4
State of the Union
1948 · 2h 4m
country: United States
An industrialist is urged to run for President, but this requires uncomfortable compromises on both political and marital levels.
TMDB4.1
FF5.0
It's a Wonderful Life
1946 · 2h 11m
country: United States
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
TMDB3.5
Here Is Germany
1945 · 52m
country: United States
A "know-your-enemy" propaganda film similar to "Know Your Enemy: Japan" and "My Japan", films about Japan with the same objective. It contains a history of the prelude to WW II, the death camps and other Nazi war crimes, and commentary on the character of the German people. Directed by Frank Capra, this film is in essentially the same format as his "Why We Fight" series. It was intended to be shown to American troops participating in the invasion and occupation of Germany. But by the time it was ready, events had overtaken it -- Germany was already well on its way to falling -- so the film was shelved. Although it is readily available for public-domain viewing on the Internet, it has never been widely distributed or shown.
TMDB3.0
Know Your Enemy: Japan
1945 · 1h 3m
country: United States
Frank Capra-directed propaganda film produced during World War II depicting the United States' new enemy: Japan.
TMDB3.5
War Comes to America
1945 · 1h 10m
country: United States
The seventh and final film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight World War II propaganda film series. This entry attempts to describe the factors leading up to America's entry into the Second World War.
TMDB3.1
Two Down and One to Go
1945 · 32m
country: Unknown
Documentary short film produced by the U.S. Army, intended to enlighten the American public on the final thrust of the Allied war effort in Europe and on the plans for the return home of American forces. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2008.
TMDB2.8
Your Job in Germany
1945 · 11m
country: United States
Your Job In Germany is a short film made for the United States War Department in 1945 just before Victory in Europe Day (VE). It was shown to US soldiers about to go on occupation duty in Germany. The film was made by the military film unit commanded by Frank Capra and was written by Theodor Geisel, better known by his pen name Dr. Seuss.
Our Job in Japan
1945 · 17m
country: Unknown
Our Job in Japan was a United States military training film made in 1945, shortly after World War II. It is the companion to the more famous Your Job In Germany. The film was aimed at American troops about to go to Japan to participate in the 1945–1952 Allied occupation, and presents the problem of turning the militarist state into a peaceful democracy. The film focused on the Japanese military officials who had used the traditional religion of Shinto, as well as the educational system, to take over power, control the populace, and wage aggressive war.
G.I. Journal
1944 · 20m
country: United States
We see them all here including male vocalist Harry Babbitt, comic Ish Kabibble and guest stars like Jerry Colonna, Mel Blanc, Lucille Ball and Linda Darnell.
TMDB3.3
Why We Fight: The Battle of China
1944 · 1h 5m
country: United States
The sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series illustrates Japan's occupation of China, including Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's stirring address before congress, the rape of Nanking, the great 2,000 mile migration, and Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers.
TMDB3.8
Arsenic and Old Lace
1944 · 1h 58m
country: United States
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
TMDB3.0
Attack! The Battle for New Britain
1944 · 56m
country: United States
Actual footage by the United States Signal Corps of the landing and attack on Arawe Beach, Cape Glouster, New Britain island in 1943 in the South Pacific theatre of World War Two, and the handicaps of the wild jungle in addition to the Japanese snipers and pill-box emplacements.
TMDB3.1
Tunisian Victory
1944 · 1h 15m
country: United States
Documentary made by the U.S. Army Signal Corps after the North African campaign.
Attack in the Pacific
1944 · 52m
country: United States
Part of a a video series that documents the fighting between the United States and Imperial Japan during and immediately after World War II.
TMDB3.4
Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia
1943 · 1h 23m
country: United States
The fifth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, revealing the nature and process of the fight between the Soviet Union and Germany in the Second World War.
TMDB3.4
Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain
1943 · 53m
country: United States
The fourth of Frank Capra's Why We Fight series of seven propaganda films, which made the case for fighting and winning the Second World War. It was released in 1943 and concentrated on the German bombardment of the United Kingdom in anticipation of Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion.
TMDB3.4
Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer
1943 · 57m
country: United States
The third film of Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight" propaganda film series, dealing with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940.
TMDB3.2
Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike
1943 · 42m
country: United States
The second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and the Nazis as its latest incarnation.
Why We Fight Series
1942
country: Unknown
TMDB3.2
Why We Fight: Prelude to War
1942 · 53m
country: United States
Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.
TMDB3.7
Meet John Doe
1941 · 2h 3m
country: United States
As a parting shot, fired reporter Ann Mitchell prints a fake letter from unemployed "John Doe," who threatens suicide in protest of social ills. The paper is forced to rehire Ann and hires John Willoughby to impersonate "Doe." Ann and her bosses cynically milk the story for all it's worth, until the made-up "John Doe" philosophy starts a whole political movement.
TMDB3.9
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939 · 2h 10m
country: United States
After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new senator has to battle political corruption.
TMDB3.8
You Can't Take It with You
1938 · 2h 6m
country: United States
Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish mother strongly disapprove of the match. When the Kirbys are invited to dinner to become better acquainted with their future in-laws, things don't turn out the way Alice had hoped.
TMDB3.5
Lost Horizon
1937 · 2h 12m
country: United States
British diplomat Robert Conway and a small group of civilians crash-land in the Himalayas, where they are rescued by the inhabitants of the hidden, idyllic valley of Shangri-La. Protected by the mountains from the world outside, where the clouds of World War II are gathering, Shangri-La provides a seductive escape for the world-weary Conway.
TMDB3.8
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
1936 · 1h 55m
country: United States
Longfellow Deeds lives in a small town, leading a small town kind of life. When a relative dies and leaves Deeds a fortune, Longfellow moves to the big city where he becomes an instant target for everyone. Deeds outwits them all until Babe Bennett comes along. When small-town boy meets big-city girl anything can, and does, happen.
TMDB3.0
Broadway Bill
1934 · 1h 44m
country: United States
Tycoon J.L. Higgins controls his whole family, but one of his sons-in-law, Dan Brooks, and his daughter Alice are fed up with that. Brooks quits his job as manager of J.L.'s paper box factory and devotes his life to his racing horse Broadway Bill, but his bankroll is thin and the luck is against him. He is arrested because of $150 he owes somebody for horse food, but suddenly a planned fraud by somebody else seems to offer him a chance...
TMDB3.9
It Happened One Night
1934 · 1h 45m
country: United States
A runaway heiress makes a deal with the rogue reporter trailing her but the mismatched pair end up stuck with each other when their bus leaves them behind.
TMDB3.5
Lady for a Day
1933 · 1h 36m
country: United States
Apple Annie is an aging New York City fruit seller whose daughter Louise has been raised in a Spanish convent since she was an infant. As she grows up, Louise is led to believe that her mother is a society matron called Mrs. E. Worthington Manville. Annie worries that her lie is in danger of being uncovered when she learns that Louise is sailing to New York with her new fiancé and his nobleman father.
TMDB3.1
The Bitter Tea of General Yen
1932 · 1h 27m
country: United States
An American missionary is gradually seduced by a courtly warlord holding her in Shanghai.
TMDB3.4
American Madness
1932 · 1h 16m
country: United States
Socially-conscious banker Thomas Dickson faces a crisis when his protégé is wrongly accused of robbing the bank, gossip of the robbery starts a bank run, and evidence suggests Dickson's wife had an affair... all in the same day.
TMDB3.3
Forbidden
1932 · 1h 25m
country: United States
On a cruise to Cuba, Lulu Smith falls in love with Bob Grover. Back home, she breaks off the romance when he tells her he is married. Lulu has a baby but doesn't tell Bob, who turns out to be a rising politician. She passes herself off as the baby's nanny. When Bob learns what is going on, he adopts the little girl, not telling his wife or anyone else where she came from. Lulu gets a job at a newspaper. Things get complicated when the editor gets the dirt on Bob, but also wants to marry Lulu.
TMDB3.3
Platinum Blonde
1931 · 1h 29m
country: United States
Ann Schuyler is an upper-crust socialite who bullies her reporter husband into conforming to her highfalutin ways. The husband chafes at the confinement of high society, though, and yearns for a creative outlet. He decides to write a play and collaborates with a fellow reporter.
TMDB3.4
The Miracle Woman
1931 · 1h 30m
country: United States
After an unappreciated minister dies, his daughter loses her faith in God, prompting her to open a phony temple with a con man. Can the love of a blind former aviator restore her faith and happiness?
TMDB2.6
Dirigible
1931 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Dirigible commander Jack Braden and Navy pilot 'Frisky' Pierce fight over the glory associated with a successful expedition to the South Pole and the love of beautiful Helen, Frisky's wife. After Braden's dirigible expedition fails, Frisky tries an expedition by plane. Unfortunately he crashes and strands his party at the South Pole. Braden must decide between a risky rescue attempt by dirigible and remaining safely at home with Helen.
TMDB3.1
Rain or Shine
1930 · 1h 28m
country: United States
Young Mary Rainey takes the reins of her deceased father's failing circus. With the help of the Inimitable Smiley Johnson, she hopes to bring fortune back to her ragtag band of ragged shoeleather performers.
TMDB3.0
Ladies of Leisure
1930 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Kay Arnold is a gold digger who wanders from party to party with the intention of catching a rich suitor. Jerry Strong is a young man from a wealthy family who strives to succeed as an artist. What begins as a relationship of mutual convenience soon turns into something else.
TMDB3.2
Flight
1929 · 1h 56m
country: United States
Two Marine pilots in love with the same girl are assigned a mission to find a notorious bandit in Nicaragua. This early talkie from director Frank Capra, released in 1929, stars Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Lila Lee.
TMDB3.0
The Donovan Affair
1929 · 1h 23m
country: United States
Inspector Killian tries to solve a murder case with his assistant Carney.
TMDB3.4
The Younger Generation
1929 · 1h 24m
country: United States
Soap-opera about a social-climbing Jewish man and his old-world parents who are heartbroken by his rejection of them. Young Morris Goldfish follows his immigrant father into business. His ruthless business practices cause him to become a big success, and he moves the family to Park Avenue. They go, but were happier back on the East Side. Morris is ashamed of this parents and his humble origins, but learns in the end that there is more to life than money.
TMDB2.8
Submarine
1928 · 1h 31m
country: United States
Two sailors who are always competing against each other set their sights on the same girl. When she chooses one over the other, their friendship ends acrimoniously. However, things change when one the men is in a submarine trapped beneath the ocean and the other, a diver, is sent down on a rescue mission.
TMDB3.1
The Power of the Press
1928 · 1h 2m
country: United States
The naive newspaper cub Clem lands a scoop when he's sent out to cover a murder. In his enthusiasm he writes that the main suspect is Jane. When she confronts Clem, she convinces him to help her prove her innocence.
TMDB2.5
Say It with Sables
1928 · 1h 10m
country: United States
In this silent film, now considered lost, Doug Caswell falls for Irene, his wealthy father's mistress. It's up to Doug's stepmother Helen to put things right.
TMDB4.5
The Way of the Strong
1928 · 59m
country: United States
A gangster falls for a blind violinist, only for his mobster rivals to kidnap her.
TMDB3.2
The Matinee Idol
1928 · 56m
country: United States
The famous matinee idol and blackface comedian, Don Wilson, heads out of town to escape adulation. There, calling himself Harry Mann, he accidentally joins a traveling acting troupe, and falls in love with Ginger Bolivar, who runs the troupe and stars in their Civil War melodrama. Don's producer sees the play, and thinks it's a comic masterpiece, and just what Don's Broadway show needs. But when Ginger finds out she's been played for a fool, will she forgive Don? Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. in 1997.
TMDB2.8
So This Is Love
1928 · 56m
country: United States
So This is Love? was another early Frank Capra production for fledgling Columbia Pictures. The hero, dress designer Jerry McGuire (William Collier Jr.), is tired of being considered a wimp. After business hours, Jerry secretly takes boxing lessons, enabling him to knock the stuffings out of his burly rival Spike Mullins (Johnnie Walker). Jerry's newfound pugilistic skills wins him the affections of store clerk Hilda Jensen (Shirley Mason), who's just car-razy about "cave men." Filmed in a fast three weeks, So This is Love? was completed before Frank Capra's Matinee Idol but released afterward. Leading lady Shirley Mason was the sister of Viola Dana, who starred in Capra's initial Columbia effort, That Certain Thing.
TMDB3.3
That Certain Thing
1928 · 1h 4m
country: United States
Gold-digger Molly marries the heir to a fortune, but things go badly when he is disinherited and starts working as a ditch digger.
TMDB2.5
For the Love of Mike
1927 · 1h 15m
country: United States
Three men join forces to raise an adopted son. A lost film.
TMDB2.8
Long Pants
1927 · 1h
country: United States
Harry Shelby has been kept in knee pants for years by his overprotective parents, but the day finally comes when Harry is given his first pair of long pants. Almost immediately, he is expected to marry his childhood sweetheart Priscilla... but instead, Harry's first heady whiff of manhood has got him panting after Bebe, a "fast" woman from the big city. Mistakenly thinking that Bebe fancies him too, Harry risks everything to help her out when she lands in jail, only to end up in hot water himself. Through it all, sweet Priscilla waits for her man to come to his senses.
TMDB3.1
The Strong Man
1926 · 1h 15m
country: United States
A meek Belgian soldier (Harry Langdon) fighting in World War I receives penpal letters and a photo from "Mary Brown", an American girl he has never met. He becomes infatuated with her by long distance. After the war, the young Belgian journeys to America as assistant to a theatrical "strong man", Zandow the Great (Arthur Thalasso). While in America, he searches for Mary Brown... and he finds her, just as word comes that Zandow is incapacitated and the little nebbish must go on stage in his place.
TMDB2.6
Fulta Fisher's Boarding House
1922 · 12m
country: United States
Fulta Fisher runs a boarding house catering to seamen passing through the port. A girl known as Anne of Austria has had many lovers amongst the sailors, but presently she's known to be the "property" of Salem Hardieker, a tough Bostonian. When Anne's eye drifts to a new potential lover, Hans the Dane, he spurns her, knowing she's Salem's girl. But hell hath no fury like a woman scorned....
TMDB2.5
The Italian Warship Libia
1921 · 25m
country: United States
A documentary recording the visit of the Italian navy warship Libia to San Francisco.