Frank Capra Chooses Gary Cooper to Represent Incorruptibility
- Frank Capra directed Gary Cooper in two significant films that explore the lives of ordinary men facing extraordinary circumstances.
- The films focus on themes of integrity and societal challenges during the Great Depression.
- Capra's initial plans to continue the Deeds character were changed due to Cooper's unavailability, showing his importance to Capra's vision.
Frank Capra directed two classic films featuring Gary Cooper, highlighting the journey of simple men thrust into the limelight. In 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,' the story follows Longfellow Deeds as he navigates fame amidst deception from a newspaperwoman. 'Meet John Doe' presents Ann Mitchell's struggles and her attempt to create a grassroots movement through a fictional character. Both films emphasize themes of integrity and societal issues during the Depression era. Capra initially aimed to continue Deeds's story with 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington,' but he ultimately cast Jimmy Stewart when Cooper was unavailable. Throughout these films, Capra intended to portray Cooper as the epitome of honesty and incorruptibility, cementing his legacy as the quintessential everyman on screen.