Drama/Romance
115 min / 1936
Rating: 8/10
Way back in 1936, Frank Capra won an Oscar for directing the original version of this story about a small-town yokel, Longfellow Deeds, who inherits the massive amount of $20 million (think half a billion today). Mr. Deeds is a salt-of-the-earth sort – a tuba-playing chap, whose big thrill is to try his hand at writing those little greeting card messages.
When he comes into big money and is dragged to the Big Apple, he doesn’t abandon his small-town values. He was never looking for this money, and he’s not after fame either, so he has no interest in the reporters trailing after him. But he is no match for Louise “Babe” Bennett, who isn’t above trickery if it will get her a story. She appeals to Deeds’ decency, pretending to be an overworked damsel-in-distress who just happens to faint right in front of Deeds. When he comes to her assistance, and falls for her charms, she, initially, uses her inside track to get scoop after scoop, without Deeds suspecting she’s actually a journalist.
But she comes around when Deeds decides to give the inheritance away – it’s more bother than it’s worth for him. That gets him in a whole mess of trouble as the big city men figure his generosity proves he’s insane and must be locked up.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is a gentle comedy suitable for the whole family.
Cautions
There’s nothing much to worry about here. But the 2002 Adam Sandler remake, Mr. Deeds, packs in some unfortunate additions – a dozen or so potty jokes, a foot fetishist, a pornographer, and at least a few instances of the Lord’s name being taken in vain. This is yet another instance where less is so much more.
Conclusion
This is a great film, still being celebrated today for good reason. But it is black and white. And it does sometimes take its time. That means if you’re a screen-scrolling dopamine-addict, there’s no way you’ll have the attention span to enjoy this all-time classic.
But for the rest of us, this 90-year-old film still has a lot to say to us. Two thumbs up!
