Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1939) G
One of the legendary director Frank Capra's masterpieces, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town follows the life of a simple and honest hearted man, Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper). Living in the small town of Mandrake Falls, Vermont, Deeds may seem like a small-timer working as a writer of sentimental poems for post cards, but suddenly inherits a fortune of 20 million dollars when a distant uncle dies in a automobile accident.
Deeds is content with life and states he doesn't need the money, but his uncle's shyster attorney, Cedar, manages to convince him to come to New York anyway.
It isn't long before reporters are all over the new millionaire banking in on any story they can get. All the while, a particular reporter Babe Bennet (Jean Arthur) masquerades as an average girl - just the kind that Deeds will fall for, and so he does. Eventually, the new millionaire realizes the reporter's real identity and decides to leave New York in disgust, only to meet an ex-farmer (Raymond Walburn) who is at his wits end. Disgusted at the newspaper accounts of Deed's partying, he asks how the man can spend money to impress friends when so many in the country would benefit from the money to buy food. Moved, Deeds decides to give away his entire fortune, but attorney Cedar comes up with a way to stop him - accuse him of insanity and have him committed.
Deeds isn't afraid to voice his thoughts or even let a fist fly when something seems out of hand or someone disrespects his seemingly small-town backward thought process. Gary Cooper plays Deeds beautifully with his almost western good looks and average 'Joe' personality.
This comedy may quickly be written off as light-hearted, like the more recent Adam Sandler remake, but don't be mistaken, this film carries a few deeper messages, which is typical of many Capra films.
Being black and white, the cinematography of the film might be lacking when compared to the amazing things on the screen today, but the film’s dialogue and story line will leave many current films in the dust.
