Capra, Frank (1897-1991)

Italian-born US film director. His satirical comedies, which often have the common man pitted against corrupt institutions, were hugely successful in the Depression years of the 1930s. He won Academy Awards for the It Happened One Night (1934), Mr Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and You Can't Take It with You (1938). Among his other classic films are Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

Capra began as a gag writer for silent comedies, then directed several films with Harry Langdon (1884-1944). During World War II he directed the ‘Why We Fight’ series of propaganda films for the US government. His later films included A Hole in the Head (1959) and A Pocketful of Miracles (1961).

Capra published his autobiography The Name Above the Title in 1971. He received the American Film Institute's life achievement award in 1982.