Biography
Frank Russell 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 consid...
Known For
Complete Filmography

Frank Capra: Mr. America
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Tells the story of how Frank Capra, a young and penniless immigrant, rose through the ranks of early Hollywood to become one of the Great American sto...

Frank Capra, il était une fois l'Amérique
2020
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Capra was one of Hollywood's most popular and respected directors in the 1930s and 1940s. His best-known films include "Isn't Life Beautiful?", ...

Hollywood's Second World War
2019
as Self (archive footage)
For the USA, World War 2 was an all-out war - to mobilize the masses, the US government launched a huge propaganda campaign and cinema, the medium of ...

Five Came Back
2017
as Self (archive footage)
The extraordinary story of how Hollywood changed World War II – and how World War II changed Hollywood, through the interwoven experiences of five leg...

And the Oscar Goes To...
2014
as Self (archive footage)
The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy ...

1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
2009
as Self (archive footage)
This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.

Why We Fight
2005
as Self (archive footage)
Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and i...
Why We Fight: World War II: The Battle of China / War Comes to America
2000
Director
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 C...

Frank Capra's American Dream
1997
as Self (archive footage)
A documentary looking at the life and career of film director Frank Capra. Hosted by Ron Howard.

The Making of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
1990
as Self (archive footage)
Tom Bosley hosts a documentary the looks into the story behind how one of cinema's greatest films It's A Wonderful Life was made.

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1987
as Self (archive footage)
Documentary about James Stewart's long career as an actor and positive personal life.

George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
1985
as Self
Biography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival fo...
The Men who Made the Movies: Frank Capra
1973
as Self
Career overview of Hollywood legend Frank Capra by Time magazine film critic Richard Schickel.

Dear Mr. Gable
1968
as Self
Burgess Meredith narrates this insightful MGM-produced documentary about the life and career of Hollywood legend Clark Gable, from his childhood in Oh...

Rendezvous in Space
1964
Director
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-...

Pocketful of Miracles
1961
Producer, Director
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 ...

A Hole in the Head
1959
Director, Producer
An impractical widower tries to hang onto his Miami hotel and his 12-year-old son.
The Unchained Goddess
1958
Writer, Producer
A scientist and a writer explain the various meteorological phenomena to Meteora, the goddess of weather, while giving an insight into the technology ...

The Strange Case of the Cosmic Rays
1957
Writer, Director, Producer
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 abou...

Hemo the Magnificent
1957
Director, Writer, Producer
Professor Frank Baxter and some animated friends answer questions about blood. what makes it red? Why do little animals' hearts beat so quickly? And s...

Our Mr. Sun
1956
Director, Writer, Producer
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 ent...

The Fallbrook Story
1952
Producer, Director
“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 Burea...

Westward the Women
1951
Story
There's a deficit of good, honest women in the West, and Roy Whitman wants to change that. His solution is to bring a caravan of over 100 mail-order b...

Here Comes the Groom
1951
Director, Producer
Foreign correspondent Pete Garvey has 5 days to win back his former fiancée, or he'll lose the orphans he adopted.
The Screen Director
1951
as Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited)
A documentary short film depicting the work of the motion picture director. An anonymous director is shown preparing the various aspects of a film for...

Riding High
1950
Director, Producer
A horse trainer who has fallen on hard times looks to his horse, Broadway Bill, to finally win the big race.

Design for Death
1948
Director
Documentary Feature winner "Design for Death" (1947) examines Japanese culture and how it led to Japan's role in WWII.

State of the Union
1948
Director, Producer
An industrialist is urged to run for President, but this requires uncomfortable compromises on both political and marital levels.

It's a Wonderful Life
1946
Producer, Screenplay, Director
A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinfli...

Five Came Back: The Reference Films
1946
Director, Producer
Includes 12 World War II-era propaganda films.

Here Is Germany
1945
Director
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 histo...

Know Your Enemy: Japan
1945
Director, Producer, Writer
Frank Capra-directed propaganda film produced during World War II depicting the United States' new enemy: Japan.

War Comes to America
1945
Director
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 t...

Why We Fight
1945
Director
Frank Capra's WWII propaganda films.

Two Down and One to Go
1945
Director
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...

Your Job in Germany
1945
Director, Producer
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 soldi...

Our Job in Japan
1945
Director
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 ...
G.I. Journal
1944
Producer, Director
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 D...

Why We Fight: The Battle of China
1944
Director
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 stirri...

Arsenic and Old Lace
1944
Director, Producer
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married;...

Attack! The Battle for New Britain
1944
Director, Producer
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 Paci...

The Negro Soldier
1944
Producer
Documentary focusing on the contributions to the American war effort of African-American soldiers.

Tunisian Victory
1944
Director
Documentary made by the U.S. Army Signal Corps after the North African campaign.

Attack in the Pacific
1944
Director
Part of a a video series that documents the fighting between the United States and Imperial Japan during and immediately after World War II.

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia
1943
Director, Producer
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 German...

Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain
1943
Director
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 r...

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer
1943
Director, Producer
The third film of Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight" propaganda film series, dealing with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940.

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike
1943
Director
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 ...

Why We Fight: Prelude to War
1942
Director
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 ma...

Meet John Doe
1941
Director, Producer
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 p...

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940
as Self
This 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeche...

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940
Supervisor of Production Resources
This 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeche...

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939
Director
After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new ...

You Can't Take It with You
1938
Director, Producer
Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish m...

Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
1938
as Frank Capra
A visit to Buck Jones's new ranch and his horse, Silver, to James Gleason and his dog, to Charles Ruggles and his kennels; on the set of 'You Can't Ta...

Another Romance of Celluloid
1938
as Self (uncredited)
This second entry in MGM's "Romance of Film" series documents how celluloid movie film is processed and features behind-the-scenes glimpses of current...

Lost Horizon
1937
Director, Producer
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, id...

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
1936
Director, Producer
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 bi...

Broadway Bill
1934
Director, Producer
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 j...

It Happened One Night
1934
as Bus Singer (uncredited)
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 be...

It Happened One Night
1934
Producer, Director
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 be...

Lady for a Day
1933
Director
Never-wed, poor, rough around the edges Apple Annie has always written to her daughter, Louise, in Spain that she is married and a member of New York'...

The Bitter Tea of General Yen
1932
Director, Producer
An American missionary is gradually seduced by a courtly warlord holding her in Shanghai.

American Madness
1932
Producer, Director
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 r...

Screen Snapshots (Series 12, No. 2)
1932
as Himself
A Columbia Pictures promotional short which explains how a movie is made.

Forbidden
1932
Writer, Director, Producer
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 ...

Platinum Blonde
1931
Producer, Director
Anne Schuyler is an upper-crust socialite who bullies her reporter husband into conforming to her highfalutin ways. The husband chafes at the confinem...

The Miracle Woman
1931
Director, Producer
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 blin...

Dirigible
1931
Director
Dirigible commander Jack Braden and Navy pilot 'Frisky' Pierce fight over the glory associated with a successful expedition to the South Pole and the ...

Rain or Shine
1930
Director, Producer
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 ...

Ladies of Leisure
1930
Director
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 f...

Flight
1929
Director, Dialogue
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 Cap...

The Donovan Affair
1929
Director
Inspector Killian tries to solve a murder case with his assistant Carney.

The Younger Generation
1929
Director
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 hi...

The Power of the Press
1928
Director
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 c...

The Burglar
1928
Director, Writer
A man, accidentally locked out of his house is mistaken for a burglar as he attempts to re-enter the house. The gag is that the person mistaking him,...

Submarine
1928
Director
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 ...

Say It with Sables
1928
Director, Story
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 thing...

The Way of the Strong
1928
Director
A gangster falls for a blind violinist, only for his mobster rivals to kidnap her.

The Matinee Idol
1928
Director, Producer
The famous matinee idol and blackface comedian, Don Wilson, heads out of town to escape adulation. There, calling himself Harry Mann, he accidentally ...

The Swim Princess
1928
Writer
The Swim Princess is a silent comedy short.

So This Is Love
1928
Director
So This is Love? was another early Frank Capra production for fledgling Columbia Pictures. The hero, dress designer Jerry McGuire (William Collier Jr....

That Certain Thing
1928
Director, Producer, Screenplay
Gold-digger Molly marries the heir to a fortune, but things go badly when he is disinherited and starts working as a ditch digger.

Fiddlesticks
1927
Story
Harry will do anything to be a musician, but it takes a junk collector to discover his hidden talents.

For the Love of Mike
1927
Director
Three men join forces to raise an adopted son. A lost film.

His First Flame
1927
Story
Fire chief Amos McCarthy, a confirmed misogynist, counsels his nephew Harry Howells to avoid matrimony at all costs. Still, the lovestruck Harry is de...

Long Pants
1927
Director
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...

The Strong Man
1926
Director
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 me...

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
1926
Scenario Writer
A poor cobbler's son enters a $25,000 cross-country hiking contest sponsored by the footwear company that has nearly bankrupted his father. He also ha...

Saturday Afternoon
1926
Story
Harry and his friend have planned to go out for an afternoon of fun. But first, Harry must figure out how to slip away from his domineering wife with ...

Cold Turkey
1925
Scenario Writer

Lucky Stars
1925
Story
Harry leaves home to become a doctor, but winds up with "Doc" Healy's Medicine Show.

The Iron Nag
1925
Writer
A jail break turns into a race.

Sneezing Beezers
1925
Writer
An exiled king supports his daughter and himself by serving genuine chili con carne at a rapid-service lunch counter. Word arrives that he will be cro...

Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies
1925
Writer
An eccentric inventor has thought of a way that automobiles can run on radio waves, without gasoline. His plans put him in conflict with the owner of ...
Good Morning, Nurse
1925
Story
Roland Royce (Ralph Graves) takes his family and a beautiful nurse (Olive Borden) on a camping trip but everything goes wrong.
The Marriage Circus
1925
Writer
The Marriage Circus is a 1925 silent comedy short.

Boobs in the Wood
1925
Writer
Chester Winfield tries to make it as a lumberjack, but he's foiled by his lack of strength and the jealous foreman, Big Bill Reardon, after Chester ca...

The Wild Goose Chaser
1925
Writer
A Mack Sennett slapstick comedy featuring the cross-eyed man Ben Turpin.

All Night Long
1924
Writer
Harry runs into his old Marine sergeant and is reminded of the rivalry they had for a girl while they were stationed in France.

Riders of the Purple Cows
1924
Writer
When a gang of outlaws put Andy Clyde's ranch house under siege, daughter Alice Day recruits college heart throb Ralph Graves to save daddy.

Little Robinson Corkscrew
1924
Writer
Returning to his hometown a fitness equipment salesman falls in love with the store keeper's daughter.

Jubilo, Jr.
1924
Scenario Writer
A young boy, determined to make money enough to buy his mother a birthday present, finds a variety of odd jobs and finally starts up a makeshift circu...
3 Days to Live
1924
Editor, Writer
Three stock market investors in San Francisco find themselves the target of a mystery investor, who is driving them to bankruptcy. The mystery investo...

Fulta Fisher's Boarding House
1922
Director
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 sailor...

The Italian Warship Libia
1921
Director, Writer
A documentary recording the visit of the Italian navy warship Libia to San Francisco.

The Outcasts of Poker Flat
1919
The owner of a gambling hall is entrusted with the care of a pretty young girl. He falls in love with her, but he must decide whether to let her go to...