Frank Capra: A Legacy of Cinema – 20 Remastered Films and More

Francesco Rosario Capra, professionally known as Frank Russell Capra, was born on May 18, 1897, in Sicily. When he was 5 years old, his family moved to California, sparking Capra’s interest in schooling. He graduated from college with a degree in chemical engineering through the ROTC program and was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in World War I. After the War, he moved around and made a 32-minute film documenting the Italian Navy’s visit to San Francisco.

He later applied for a job at a small studio and directed a silent film. As more opportunities arose, Capra learned what he could and moved on, eventually working for Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures. Because of Capra’s degree, he felt comfortable working in “talkies” and eventually made over 20 films for Columbia Pictures, many of which have become classics. Columbia has now transferred some of those classic films to Blu-ray and 4K and created a box set available for purchase. 
 

Highlights of the Collection

• SO THIS IS LOVE (1928): Dress designer Jerry McGuire (William Collier Jr.) secretly loves Hilda Jensen (Shirly Mason), who adores pugilist Spike Mullins (Johnnie Walker). Can Jerry woo Hilda and stand up to Spike? Presented in HD with a new score by Michael D. Mortilla and commentary by historians Stan Taffel and Bryan Cooper. Run time: 55 mins. Not rated.
• THE WAY OF THE STRONG (1928): Handsome Williams (Mitchell Lewis), a bootlegger, falls for blind violinist Nora (Alice Day). Rivals target Nora as his vulnerability. Presented in HD with a new score by Michael D. Mortilla and commentary by historians Stan Taffel and Bryan Cooper. Run time: 58 mins. Not rated.
• THAT CERTAIN THING (1928): Poor girl Molly (Viola Dana) marries millionaire’s son A.B. Charles Jr. (Ralph Graves), despite his father cutting him off. Molly’s ingenuity shines. Presented in HD with a new score by Donald Sosin. Run time: 64 mins. Not rated.
• SUBMARINE (1928): Columbia’s first synchronized score film follows deep-sea diver Jack Holt rescuing a submarine crew. Presented in 4K SDR and HD with a reconstructed score by Rodney Sauer. Run time: 103 mins. Not rated.
• THE YOUNGER GENERATION (1929): A Jewish pushcart vendor (Jean Hersholt) faces tension with his ambitious son after moving uptown. Columbia’s first “talkie.” Presented in 4K SDR and HD with restored audio and a score by Rodney Sauer. Run time: 83 mins. Not rated.
• FLIGHT (1929): Marine Corps fliers Jack Holt and Ralph Graves face love and rivalry. Presented in HD with a theatrical trailer. Run time: 120 mins. Not rated.
• LADIES OF LEISURE (1930): Party girl Kay (Barbara Stanwyck) falls for aspiring artist Jerry (Ralph Graves). Love blossoms beyond convenience. Presented in HD with commentary by Jeremy Arnold. Run time: 98 mins. Not rated.
• RAIN OR SHINE (1930): Mary (Joan Peers) and manager Smiley Johnson (Joe Cook) try to save her inherited circus. Includes an alternate international version. Presented in HD with a featurette. Run time: 88 mins. Not rated.
• DIRIGIBLE (1931): Jack Holt and Ralph Graves attempt to conquer the air and South Pole. Presented in 4K SDR and HD. Run time: 100 mins. Not rated.
• THE MIRACLE WOMAN (1931): Barbara Stanwyck shines as a preacher in a fraudulent church, meeting blind ex-pilot David Manners. Presented in HD with a featurette by Ron Howard. Run time: 90 mins. Not rated.
• PLATINUM BLONDE (1931): Reporter’s entanglement with socialite Jean Harlow stirs class tensions. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD. Run time: 88 mins. Not rated.
• AMERICAN MADNESS (1932): Bank president Walter Huston rallies businessmen to save his bank post-robbery. Presented in HD with multiple commentaries and a featurette. Run time: 76 mins. Not rated.
• THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN (1932): Missionary Barbara Stanwyck falls for her kidnapper General Yen. Presented in HD with a featurette and commentary by Kimberly Truhler. Run time: 87 mins. Not rated.
• FORBIDDEN (1932): Librarian Barbara Stanwyck has an affair with a married man, leading to heartbreak. Presented in HD with commentary by Jeanine Basinger. Run time: 85 mins. Not rated.
• LADY FOR A DAY (1933): A gangster helps depression-era apple seller Apple Annie impress her daughter’s future in-laws. Presented in HD. Run time: 95 mins. Not rated.
• IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934): Brash reporter Clark Gable meets runaway heiress Claudette Colbert. Winner of 5 major Oscars. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD with commentaries and featurettes. Run time: 105 mins. Not rated.
• MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936): Gary Cooper’s rural life changes with an inheritance, and reporter Jean Arthur captures his honesty. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD with commentaries and a featurette. Run time: 116 mins. Not rated.
• LOST HORIZON (1937): Ronald Colman and Jane Wyatt journey to Shangri-La. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD with alternate ending and featurettes. Run time: 133 mins. Not rated.
• YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (1938): A man from a wealthy family falls for a woman from an eccentric one. Academy Award winner. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD with commentary and featurettes. Run time: 126 mins. Not rated.
• MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939): James Stewart fights the powers in this timeless classic. Presented in 4K Dolby Vision and HD with commentaries and featurettes. Run time: 129 mins. Not rated. 
   

Exclusive Documentary: Frank Capra: Mr. America

Besides some of his greatest movies, the box set offers the documentary Frank Capra: Mr. America, which tells his story in his own words using archival footage. The documentary offers a portrait of Capra’s life, career, and his relationship with America, making this set a valuable treasure for filmmakers and film historians.

You can purchase the Frank Capra at Columbia Collection disc set on Amazon.com. Please note, this collection was provided to FlickDirect Inc. for review purposes.

Grade: A-