slappy3500 Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 Last night was my first viewing of this Frank Capra classic. It must have been thouroughly copied over the years because I found it to be corny and extremely predictable. Some movies do not age well because they have been copied by countless other films. "Psycho" leaves some people unimpressed (I'm NOT one of them!) simply because by 2004 there are no suprises in it. (Who hasn't at least seen a clip of the shower scene?) I once had a girlfriend who wanted to see "Deep Throat" because of all the controversy during it's initial release. No matter how many times I explained to her that she wouldn't "get it" because the erosion of a million xxx features she wanted to see it anyway. Guess what? Her reaction was "What was all the fuss?" I told her she hadda "be there". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
path40a Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 Well, I think I saw Mr Deeds (the Gary Cooper version!) for the first time within the past couple of years and yet my reaction was totally different. I thought it was GREAT. Of course, I've always loved Frank Capra and cannot say that I've seen a bad film by him, nor Coop for that matter. I'm a big fan of "Capracorn" and Cooper's unassumingly "aw shucks" characters. I treasured the film from the first time I saw it and loved rewatching the courtroom scene again when it was on TCM recently. It's a shame that you've become so jaded;- ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellabluegrl Posted February 11, 2004 Share Posted February 11, 2004 I feel the same way as you Path. I didn't happen to catch the movie last night, but every time I watch it I thoroughly enjoy it. Okay, some here may think I'm a little biased 'cause it's pretty well known I LOVE Coop, but I've always found him to be particularly endearing in his role of Longfellow Deeds and I think many others would agree. I'm also a big fan of Capracorn (great term btw!!) and like you path, I can't think of Capra movie that I don't like. Had to laugh when you mentioned the court room scene....those two old ladies referring to Coop as "pixilated" always cracks me up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappy3500 Posted February 14, 2004 Author Share Posted February 14, 2004 I'm glad no one took my "Deeds" comments to be a denigration of the great Frank Capra. Comedy is SO delicate an art. Once the punchline has been heard, no re-telling of the joke, however skillful, can ever pack the same humor. I'm just sad that I saw this courtroom scene first as done by an imitator. Coop's wit was so dry, (see "Sgt York") that I am sure that "Deeds" would be a favorite with me had it not been "spoiled". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 slappy3500 - It IS a shame that this wonderful movie was spoiled for you. I loved it when I first saw it, but since Capra's my favorite filmmaker, perhaps I was a little biased myself. But the story and acting is superb, and it really packs that Capra punch of the common man rising above the rich and corrupt. Try watching it again, and pay no attention to the Adam Sandler remake, which to me is a mockery - I didn't even see it, but the thought of putting Adam Sandler in a role that the great Gary Cooper did just turns me off totally. And plus, nobody making films today can capture the feeling that Frank Capra's movies had - the quality is just not there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellabluegrl Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Well, having 3 son's I was forced to see the Adam Sandler version (his movies are right up my pre-teen boy's perspective alleys *lol*). I will admit I found myself laughing more than once....most likely because my boys and I have a great time watching movies together and when one of them starts laughin' the next thing I know I'm laughin' along with 'em. BUT, the Sandler version in no way changed my opinion of the original in the least. Apples and oranges really.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappy3500 Posted February 18, 2004 Author Share Posted February 18, 2004 Sorry if I gave the impression that the Sandler remake ruined it for me. I haven't even seen it. What I was refering to were the imitators from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Apparently Sandler is determined to do remakes now....First "Mr Deeds" now "the Longest Yard." Enought to put ya right off yer popcorn... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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