Directed by Frank Capra
Classic American cinema in the spotlight: discover both rarities and popular hits of the great humanist filmmaker of Hollywood’s golden age. The focus will be on his films from the 1930s, a particularly prolific period, but also on later masterpieces like It’s a Wonderful Life. Capra offers a subtle blend of humor, optimism and insight, where we find James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck or Clark Gable.
Forbidden (1932, 1:28)
Lulu, a librarian, takes a cruise and falls in love with a stranger, who soon turns out to be suspiciously unavailable ... A lucid melodrama, Capra’s third film with his muse, the magnificent Barbara Stanwyck.
Pathé Bellecour Wed. 4:45pm | Institut Lumière Fri. 5pm
American Madness (1932, 1:19)
Thomas Dickson (Walter Huston), a humanist banker, is being robbed by an employee and finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy... In post-1929 America, one of the first films to evoke the Great Depression.
Institut Lumière Sat. 9:30am
The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933, 1:28)
In Shanghai, Megan (Barbara Stanwyck) is sequestered in a palace by General Yen... One of Capra’s favorite films displaying a daring modernity and achieving the desired aesthetic.
Cinéma Opéra Mon. 2:30pm | Villa Lumière Fri. 8:30pm
Lady for a Day ( 1933, 1:28)
While her daughter is on her way home from Spain to announce her nuptials, Annie, a bag lady in New York, must turn into a «Lady» and enlists the help of a gangster... A variation on the Cinderella theme in this social, amusing, and poignant tale.
Pathé Bellecour Fri. 7:30pm | Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon Sat. 8pm
It Happened One Night (1934, 1:45)
Ellie (Claudette Colbert), a rich heiress fleeing incognito to New York, crosses paths with Peter, a sensationalist journalist (Clark Gable) ... A lively and exhilarating comedy, winner of 5 Oscars!
Pathé Bellecour Mon. 11am | Corbas Wed. 8pm | CNP Thu. 3pm | Pathé Cordeliers Sat. 2:30pm
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936, 1:55)
An ordinary young man (Gary Cooper) inherits $ 20 million, and discovers the New York world of business and the media... The money-centered film is at once spirited, realistic and enthusiastic.
Pathé Bellecour Mon. 2:15pm | Comœdia Tue. 10pm | Pathé Cordeliers Fri. 2:30pm
Lost Horizon (1937, 2:03)
A plane is hijacked and an English diplomat and a group of civilians find themselves in Shangri-La, a mysterious paradisiacal city in the center of Tibet ... With war brewing, Capra presents this hymn to peace, combining fantasy, philosophy, and Utopia.
CNP Mon. 5:15pm | Cinéma Opéra Sat. 9:30pm | CNP Sun. 3pm
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939, 2:09)
A young senator (James Stewart) fights corruption and political maneuvering... During the rise of Nazism, Capra declared his faith and commitment to democracy and liberty reflected in this funny and moving film.
Pathé Bellecour Mon. 4:45pm | Pathé Cordeliers Tue. 3pm | Bron Thu. 2:30pm | Comœdia Sun. 2:15pm
Meet John Doe (1941, 2:02)
To save her job, a journalist (Barbara Stanwyck) publishes a rant in the name of John Doe against social injustice. Its grand success forces her to produce a real «John Doe» (Gary Cooper!)... Media manipulation and dark cynicism.
Rillieux Tue. 8pm | CNP Wed. 5:15pm | Pathé Bellecour Thu. 2:30pm | Comœdia Sat. 2pm
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946, 2:10)
On Christmas Eve, George, utterly dejected, contemplates suicide. An angel reminds him of all the good he has done for those close to him... The essence of Capra cinema, reflecting social realism with a fine humanist touch.
Pathé Bellecour Tue. 10:30am | Meyzieu Wed. 8:30pm | Comœdia Thu. 2pm | CNP Sun. 5:15pm
State of the Union (1948, 2:04)
To run a top presidential campaign, Republican candidate (Spencer Tracy) brings back his feisty ex-wife (Katharine Hepburn)... The swansong of the purposeful work of Capra, a greatly modern film about power.
Comœdia Wed. 2pm | Pathé Bellecour Thu. 10:15am
