frank-capra

Her first really great role, the one that cemented the __ean Arthur character,_ was as the wisecracking big-city reporter who eventually melts for country rube Gary Cooper in Frank Capra__ Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). It was the first of three terrific films for Capra: Jean played the down-to-earth daughter of an annoyingly wacky family in Capra__ rendition of Kaufman and Hart__ You Can__ Take It With You (1938), and she was another hard-boiled city gal won over by a starry-eyed yokel in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). __ean Arthur is my favorite actress,_ said Capra, who had successfully worked with Stanwyck, Colbert and Hepburn. _. . . push that neurotic girl . . . in front of the camera . . . and that whining mop would magically blossom into a warm, lovely, poised and confident actress._ Capra obviously recognized that Jean was often frustrated in her career choice.