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The Frank Capra Collection

1897-1991; Director, Producer, Author

"I want my archive to be available to all the people who have enjoyed my movies. I have nothing to hide from anyone. Let people make of these things what they will, because what they will make of them will tell us not only who I am, but who and what they are. I've saved these things because I've had a wonderful life, enjoyed it, and I believe in people and trust them."

• Brief Biography of Frank Capra
  
• Description of the Collection

Brief Biography of Frank Capra

Frank Capra's work has become so well-known and respected that it is today used as a yardstick by which critics and the public measure a certain type of purely American film comedy.

Capra was born in Bisacquino, Sicily, on May 18, 1897, and immigrated to the United States when he was five. He earned an engineering degree at the in 1918 (then known as Throop College of Technology) and then began a long and successful . After working for as gag writer and director, he went to work at , and became instrumental in lifting the studio out of the "Proverty Row" category.

Capra's films brought him two for Best Picture and three for Best Director: (1934), (1936), and (1938). He also directed such landmark movies as (1939), (1941), and the ever-popular (1946).

During World War II, Capra became a colonel in the Army Signal Corps, directing the Award-winning Why We Fight series. He retired from filmmaking in 1966, after which he published his autobiography, , in 1971. Throughout the 1970s, Capra was much in demand as a lecturer and guest at film festivals and other events, and performed service for the U.S. government. He retired from public life in the 1980s following a series of debilitating strokes.

Capra was president of the , president of the , and the recipient of the , the , the White House , the 10th Annual Life Achievement Award, and many other honors.

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Description of the Frank Capra Collection

The Frank Capra Collection is a complete record of his life and career, from his childhood throughout his active directing years, his World War II service, his work with the , the , and on to his years as author and lecturer.

The uncut and detailed version of his is included, along with a set of his shooting scripts with notes, revisions, shooting plans, and casting ideas. The collection also includes correspondence on personal and professional matters; a vast collection of stills, posters, ads, publicity materials and art direction sketches; WWII documentation, scripts, photos, backgrounds; journals; diaries; family photographs; fan letters; and memorabilia.

Restrictions on access: None. Please consult the guidelines for use of The Reid Cinema Archives materials.

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