Rating: 
Summary: They don't make these gems anymore! Hilarious!
Review: Gary Cooper is fantastic in this "cinderella" rags to riches, screwball comedy. He "simply" shines as a tuba playing, greeting card jingle writer who receives a huge inheritance from a distant relative. Seemingly easy to please, Mr. Deeds (Cooper), goes through all the rigamarole of being a "fine" gentleman, but finds more enjoyment sliding down the bannister of his new mansion, trying out echoes with the butler in the enormous foyer, and dating a "hungry" woman who faints in front of his entrance to his estate. But as the lawyers who "handle" his fortune are to learn, as well as the "hungry" woman who is really a reporter, wonderfully protrayed by the beautiful Jean Arthur, there is a lot more substance to Mr. Deeds than meets the eye. As he charms us throughout this film, Cooper's Mr. Deeds rallies us behind him as he shows the world and his viewers, that there is a lot more to being a successful human being than a deep pocket.
Rating:
Summary: This classic should earn more stars!
Review: How fresh can a movie stay after more than 60 years? It seems that Capra had the formula for eternal freshness. You need an extremely skillful hand to direct Cooper, Arthur and company in a movie that's been immitated but never surpassed. The first key for success here is the director. Capra focused on values rather than politics as a leif motiv and never surrendered. His obsession for Americana and the way its ideals should move us is a constant in his work. Also very important was casting. The stereotypes that everybody are playing here make believable, or lovable, roles and that adds significantly to the movie. Furthermore, the thrust given by the screwball tone delivered by the movie makes us think about all the social implicancies of theme more than Chaplin's Modern Times, just to name one. There are some scenes, such as the trial or the aides playing with the mansion''s echo, that would still work today. In fact, almost all the script would work today. Regretfully, we don't have stars that could measure up to it and an eventual remake would be done by Jim Carrey or some hot shot comedian who would blow it out of proportions. Anyway,if you want to enjoy a classic, laugh out loud and feel "pixilated" after the show, watch this gem.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly delightful romantic/social comedy
Review: I love Frank Capra's 1930s films. They are on the one hand so clearly products of their time, which was the period of the New Deal and a sense of optimism and idealism about whether America could overcome its problems and bring about a better life for most Americans. And, it was the period of time immediately preceding WW II, which transformed America in general so profoundly, and no one less than Frank Capra. By his own admission, the war brought about a shift in Capra's social and political vision, from a Leftist position to a Rightist one. After the war, Capra was able to duplicate his pre-War success only once, with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Later in life, in his autobiography and after moving back to a leftist political position, Capra acknowledged that his shift to the Right marred his cinematic vision, and ruined him as a filmmaker. On one level, MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN is easy to criticize. It does espouse simplistic, naive beliefs about society and politics. It is anti-capitalist, whereas Capra's post-WW II films (excepting IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE) were pro-business. The film does seem to suggest that there are simple answers to enormously complex problems. All this, however, enchants me. I wish that we today had not lost this capacity to have simple, goodhearted beliefs. Once one moves away from the social and political elements in this film, which are nonetheless quite strong (and the sentiments expressed here helped give rise to what is frequently referred to as "Capra-corn"), one is left with a delightful, funny, and inspiring romantic comedy. Could any actor in the history of film have been more perfect as Longfellow Deeds? Well, perhaps Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda (certainly not Adam Sandler). But even those two stellar actors would have fallen short of Cooper in communicating his abject indifference to his fate during his trial late in the film. Having him in that role was a perfect bit of casting. Jean Arthur, one of Capra's two favorite actresses, was perfect as Babe Bennett (though his other favorite actress, Barbara Stanwyck, might have been even more perfect). The two make a perfect team: the idealistic, naive, and good hearted Deeds (though completely intolerant of bunk) and the cynical, cold hearted, manipulative undercover reporter whose heart is melted and transformed by Deeds. In a supporting role, Lionel Stander is outstanding. All in all, this is just a great film, and stands as one of Capra's finest efforts, definitely one of the five or six classic films he made upon which his reputation will always be preserved. There is a forthcoming remake of this film, with Adam Sandler playing Deeds. The previews that I have seen are more than embarrassing. There are two reasons to engage in a remake. First, an earlier film contains excellent premises, but executed its own concepts poorly. Thus, a remake provides an opportunity to get it right. The 1941 version of THE MALTESE FALCON was actually a remake of an earlier version of the novel. The second reason to undertake a remake is when the filmmakers have no interesting or inventive ideas of their own, and pilfer those of others. Since the original MR. DEEDS would be extremely difficult to improve upon, one wonders if this film is an example of reason number two. I should add that there is a third reason to engage in a remake: love of a previous film and to try and pay homage by remaking it. I believe that this is the case with the unsuccessful remake by Mel Brooks of TO BE OR NOT TO BE (why try to remake a perfect film?), the more successful CAPE FEAR (which was nearly as good as the original), or the high tech remake of PLANET OF THE APES. Bit of trivia: This was the only film that Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur made together. In 1942 Hitchcock wanted to reunite the two of them in SABOTEUR. He was unsuccessful; however, and instead cast Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane in the leads. The film today, despite some amazing scenes, is usually criticized for its very weak stars. One wonders how successful that film would have been if Hitchcock had managed to get the Gary and Jean. Second bit of trivia: Jean Arthur, although she always looks very calm and self-possessed, suffered from almost debilitating screen fright, frequently becoming nauseous before or during shooting. In fact, her career eventually ended when she was doing a stage version of BORN YESTERDAY, playing the Judy Holliday role. During the middle of the play, the stress became too much for her. She was unable to return to finish the play, and except for a unsuccessful attempt at a TV sitcom, her career was over.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly delightful romantic/social comedy
Review: I love Frank Capra's 1930s films. They are on the one hand so clearly products of their time, which was the period of the New Deal and a sense of optimism and idealism about whether America could overcome its problems and bring about a better life for most Americans. And, it was the period of time immediately preceding WW II, which transformed America in general so profoundly, and no one less than Frank Capra. By his own admission, the war brought about a shift in Capra's social and political vision, from a Leftist position to a Rightist one. After the war, Capra was able to duplicate his pre-War success only once, with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Later in life, in his autobiography and after moving back to a leftist political position, Capra acknowledged that his shift to the Right marred his cinematic vision, and ruined him as a filmmaker. On one level, MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN is easy to criticize. It does espouse simplistic, naive beliefs about society and politics. It is anti-capitalist, whereas Capra's post-WW II films (excepting IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE) were pro-business. The film does seem to suggest that there are simple answers to enormously complex problems. All this, however, enchants me. I wish that we today had not lost this capacity to have simple, goodhearted beliefs. Once one moves away from the social and political elements in this film, which are nonetheless quite strong (and the sentiments expressed here helped give rise to what is frequently referred to as "Capra-corn"), one is left with a delightful, funny, and inspiring romantic comedy. Could any actor in the history of film have been more perfect as Longfellow Deeds? Well, perhaps Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda (certainly not Adam Sandler). But even those two stellar actors would have fallen short of Cooper in communicating his abject indifference to his fate during his trial late in the film. Having him in that role was a perfect bit of casting. Jean Arthur, one of Capra's two favorite actresses, was perfect as Babe Bennett (though his other favorite actress, Barbara Stanwyck, might have been even more perfect). The two make a perfect team: the idealistic, naive, and good hearted Deeds (though completely intolerant of bunk) and the cynical, cold hearted, manipulative undercover reporter whose heart is melted and transformed by Deeds. In a supporting role, Lionel Stander is outstanding. All in all, this is just a great film, and stands as one of Capra's finest efforts, definitely one of the five or six classic films he made upon which his reputation will always be preserved. There is a forthcoming remake of this film, with Adam Sandler playing Deeds. The previews that I have seen are more than embarrassing. There are two reasons to engage in a remake. First, an earlier film contains excellent premises, but executed its own concepts poorly. Thus, a remake provides an opportunity to get it right. The 1941 version of THE MALTESE FALCON was actually a remake of an earlier version of the novel. The second reason to undertake a remake is when the filmmakers have no interesting or inventive ideas of their own, and pilfer those of others. Since the original MR. DEEDS would be extremely difficult to improve upon, one wonders if this film is an example of reason number two. I should add that there is a third reason to engage in a remake: love of a previous film and to try and pay homage by remaking it. I believe that this is the case with the unsuccessful remake by Mel Brooks of TO BE OR NOT TO BE (why try to remake a perfect film?), the more successful CAPE FEAR (which was nearly as good as the original), or the high tech remake of PLANET OF THE APES. Bit of trivia: This was the only film that Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur made together. In 1942 Hitchcock wanted to reunite the two of them in SABOTEUR. He was unsuccessful; however, and instead cast Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane in the leads. The film today, despite some amazing scenes, is usually criticized for its very weak stars. One wonders how successful that film would have been if Hitchcock had managed to get the Gary and Jean. Second bit of trivia: Jean Arthur, although she always looks very calm and self-possessed, suffered from almost debilitating screen fright, frequently becoming nauseous before or during shooting. In fact, her career eventually ended when she was doing a stage version of BORN YESTERDAY, playing the Judy Holliday role. During the middle of the play, the stress became too much for her. She was unable to return to finish the play, and except for a unsuccessful attempt at a TV sitcom, her career was over.
Rating:
Summary: A TRUE GEM!
Review: I was never a Gary Cooper fan before I saw this movie. I wasn't born when it came out. It is so eloquent at times, it made me cry. This man is incredible. If there is anyone out there who doesn't cry by the time this one is over, you need surgery. Ok, I have probably said it before. But it's true. Frank Capra makes gems, and they are still relevant- and fresh- after almost 50 years. He had an eye for details, beautiful people, and wonderful scripts, but he captured the heart that lies inside, and something real that I don't think anyone before him- or after him- ever will. They can try, but they won't do it. There are few that can go to these depths with such *lightness* and ease. It is a completely and utterly wonderful film, and resonates within for a long time. DO NOT miss out on this one! I still love it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Masterful piece of Propaganda
Review: It is quite amazing how this film manages to sneak its perverse political ideas under a coat of "common sense" idealism: "why don't people just like each other every once in a while." Frightening to witness the charming Longfellow Deeds explain how some people just can't make it, and how he, in a textbook impersonation of Jesus Christ, will save them. Forget that the film ignores problems and questions by either simplifying them to the level of a 10 year old, or mocking them. The simple people that it pretends to defend are silenced and reduced to a supporting mindless crowd (the manipulation of crowds and typage are worthy of Eisenstein) for a hero that borders on proto-fascism (the constant endorsement of physical violence is sickening). Doesn't it bother anyone that the female heroine goes from a strong and smart reporter to a brainless hysterical child whose only purpose in life is marriage? Unfortunately, the ideas Capra (and Riskin) push are highly problematic. Take your "common sense" goggles off--the problem with common sense is that there is no such thing: some people think it common sense that women should stay at home, others that whites are better than blacks. Common sense is what people use to justify their view of the world. I agree that we have, here, a master filmmaker at work--a master of propaganda.
Rating: 
Summary: Moving Capresque flick
Review: MY RATING- 7.8 This is quite a moving tale a la american by the master of socio drama, Frank Capra in which he uses one of his fave actors Gary Cooper as the country man who inherits a fortune from a rich uncle and is double crossed in the city. I never enjoyed the first roles of Cooper in MOROCCO, yet it looks like he's been improving his acting over the years and his eyes seem to be brighter and emotional with Capra efforts. Jean Arthur is very good too with her sexy voice and tender love. The cast also includes H. B. Warner as the judge and Lionel Stander as Deeds gardian angel with that frog voice.
Maybe a bit overlong, however it's moving (not as much as It's a Wonderful Life"), , love triumphs at the end, with the Capraesque final act at the court.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Deeds is a Natural
Review: Peerless Frank Capra comedy. Not only are all the inhabitants of Mandrake Falls Vermont pixilated, but you might be too after seeing this gem. Cooper heads a real Capraesque cast about Longfellow Deeds who inherits millions of dollars. Douglas Dumbrille as the shifty attorney Cedar...of Cedar , Cedar, Cedar a Buddington is nasty as ever. Warren Hymer and Lionel Stander do their funny bits. Jean Arthur is always sincere and H.B. Warner always straight as an arrow.Film reflects a time and a place where wonders still exist.
Rating:
Summary: Watchable, enjoyable, wonderful!
Review: This Frank Capra movie stars Gary Cooper as a man who lives a simple, happy life in a small town until he is suddenly thrust into the spotlight when he inherits a huge estate during the great depression. Jean Arthur is cast as a sharp, street savvy newspaper reporter who weasels her way into Cooper's life in order to get inside exclusives other reporters can only dream about. Come join in the fun as Cooper takes on oily lawyers, greedy would-be co-inheritors, snooty high society, and, of course, the media in this grand adventure. This movie is a wonderful romantic comedy...it's totally watchable, and there no worries about language, violence, or innappropriate sexual scenes or inuendos. This movie is a real treat. Five stars all the way!
Rating:
Summary: Capra-Corn at it's Best!
Review: This is a great movie, one of Frank Capra's best. Gary Cooper gives one of his best performances as the 'pixelated' Longfellow Deeds, and Jean Arthur is also great as the 'cute' reporter and Deed's love interest. Capra-corn to the bone, but also extremely entertaining and a very honest cinematic experience. From a scale of 1-10 I give this movie a 9!
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