What a shame that this wonderful, charming, funny movie had to be remade back in 2002 starring Adam Sandler for now whenever the title Mr. Deeds is mentioned, the majority of people will recall that train wreck instead of this timeless story. What director Frank Capra is able to do here is create a tale of little city versus big city but also in dealing with corruption and helping out your fellow man.
These are themes common to nearly all Capra films and here Gary Cooper is able to transcend the idea of a major Hollywood star playing a down to earth, small-town idealist nice and considerate to all he meets unless they get deep under his skin. To those who reside in the giant city of New York, a bewildered man like this Longfellow Deeds would certainly stick out. And it is for this reason that a hotshot reporter would attempt to use him as a basis for an exclusive story and solely for her own benefit. This other theme of the dark side of media use is another Capra feels strongly about and it shines through especially in the final courtroom scenes when all is revealed and the true colors of all characters are established.
Gary Cooper is one of the most under-appreciated leading men in Hollywood history, perhaps because he didn't show the archetype leading man quality other big stars of his time did. He was always in his movies a good old boy, filled with love for his roots and the people he associated with that. He did it here and in Sergeant York, the result being two of his best performances in a long and storied career. Capra favorite Jean Arthur doesn't do or say much- until the epilogue when her character is needed most. And in this sequence, Arthur shows her complete variety of ability to cover both comedic and dramatic areas. Certainly a film to go back to again and again, this shows Capra's ability to carefully touch on very serious subjects with a deft comic touch as well as the great chemistry between Cooper and Arthur. So, if someone mentions Mr. Deeds to you, look for the older one and not the newer "modern" version.
