Film Review: Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

People from rural areas of America represent social group that is nowadays treated by almost genocidal disdain by Hollywood. Many decades ago it wasn’t the case and Hollywood actually pandered to that group and made films in which “yokels” were protagonists and representatives of everything that is good, noble and pure. One of the most famous example is Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, 1936 comedy directed by Frank Capra.

The plot begins when tycoon Martin Semple dies in a car accident, leaving 20 million US$ worth of estate to Longfellow Deeds (played by Gary Cooper), his estranged nephew who lives in small town of Mandrake Falls, Vermont. He is tracked down by lawyers from the firm led by John Cedar (played by Douglass Dumbrille) and brought to New York City. Deeds, owner of small business, tuba player and respected member of local community, is reluctant to come to the big city where his lack of sophistication and “proper” manners get him in all sorts of trouble. Cedar and his colleagues want obtain power of attorney, allegedly to help Deeds live carefree life while they handle their clients’ business, while their real intention is to cover their own misdeeds. Deeds’ lack of sophistication is compensated by his common sense and lack of trust towards sycophantic people around him. It is entirely different matter when he, seemingly by accident, meets beautiful factory worker Mary Wilson (played by Jean Arthur). He starts dating her, unaware that she is actually Babe Bennett, newspaper reporter tasked by covering his adventures in sensationalist articles. When Deeds announces that he would give away most of his wealth to impoverished farmers, Cedar tries to prevent it by petitioning court to declare Deeds mentally incompetent.

The best known films of Frank Capra are populist comedies and that included Capra’s previous, Oscar-winning triumph It Happened One Night. That film, like Mr. Deeds, was written by Robert Riskin, Capra’s most successful collaborator. Riskin was leftist and, as such, tried to use the escapist medium of Hollywood comedy to remind audience of some unpleasant truths about social and class divisions in America, which became acute with Great Depression. Riskin championed the common man or “the little guy” and in Mr. Deeds he found embodiment of such ideal in the protagonist coming from simple but honest small town that maintained the values of community, unlike big cities with greedy lawyers, sensationalist press or corrupt politicians. Riskin also uses opportunity to take a stab at pretentious urban intelligentsia in the small but brilliant scene during which Deeds, who is described as an amateur poet, gets into conflict with arrogant condescending elitist writers modelled at the real life Algonquin Round Table.

The modern day “Cinderella” story is directed with great ease by Capra, but the greatest asset of the film is in the cast. Gary Cooper plays one of the most famous roles of his career and in it displays hid laid back style of acting, which seems perfect for the uncomplicated role of Everyman. Only later in the film, when the story is slightly complicated by obligatory romantic subplot, Cooper shows his true acting skills. Role played by Jean Arthur was more demanding and the actress was, according to her later claims, very insecure at the set. But it doesn’t show much in the film and the transformation of her character from scoop-grabbing journalist into woman who genuinely loves Deeds is quite good. Lionel Stander, formidable character actor who was blacklisted during McCarthy era, delivers another great performance as Cobb, former journalist hired by Cedar to keep Deeds from trouble and who convincingly portrays cynic turning into Deeds’ valuable ally.

Although Mr. Deeds Comes to Town is a comedy, the film takes more serious turn in the second half. It happens during unpleasant scene in which Deeds encounters desperate farmer driven to madness by deprivations of Great Depression. The shift towards drama is slightly abrupt, but Riskin and Capra succeed in entertaining audience while reminding them of sad realities that await them when they leave theatre. Although Capra could have made the film tighter, Mr. Deeds Ccomes to Town represents one of the better parts of his filmography. It was a big hit and won Capra’s second Oscar for Best Director. Capra wanted to repeat its success by filming a sequel titled Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington which, eventually, became separate film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart. Many decades later this film inspired Coen Brothers for Hudsucker Proxy, one of their best works. In 2002 it was remade as Mr. Deeds, comedy starring Adam Sandler.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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