Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is an Oscar-winning screwball comedy and satire about a humble man who inherits millions of dollars. “But, in the opinion of the court, you are not only sane but you’re the sanest man that ever walked into this courtroom.” – Judge May Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper) is a humble man living in Mandrake Falls, Vermont during the Great Depression. You would think that his life would change drastically upon inheriting…
"Mr. Deeds Goes to Town: A Social Satire"Tag: Gary Cooper
Love in the Afternoon, starring Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn, is Billy Wilder’s best attempt at making a film in the spirit of his late mentor, Ernst Lubitsch. Ariane Chavasse (Audrey Hepburn) is a cello student and overhears a conversation between her private detective father, Claude Chavasse (Maurice Chevalier), and a client, Monsieur X (John McGiver). Claude’s specialty is going after the spouses who are unfaithful. Anyway, Monsieur X insists that he will kill American…
"Love in the Afternoon: Billy Wilder’s Lubitsch Film"
The Pride of the Yankees, despite its flaws, makes for appropriate viewing on Lou Gehrig Day, which is now celebrated in baseball. Gehrig passed away on this date in 1941. He never did live to see the film, which earned 11 Oscar nominations and winning one for editing. The editing is certainly well deserved given that Gary Cooper never played baseball before signing onto the film. This is what the reports say. Many reports say…
"The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig Day"
Gary Cooper delivers a marvelous performance as the acclaimed World War 1 hero in Sergeant York but the film is propaganda of the era. Alvin C. York’s (Gary Cooper) story was a dream for any studio executive in the 1930s. Here’s a guy who was not only a religious man but a grew up poor in Tennessee. York may have been a pacifist but conscientious objectors were required to serve. His service record includes killing…
"Sergeant York: A Heroic Tale…But Propaganda"