American Madness

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Steve D @RT35616104 Dec 28, 2023 The film keeps losing plot points and resolves too nicely. See more william d @acsdoug Aug 23, 2021 I liked the set, i.e. the bank, and Capra's direction. The story is good enough, if a little preachy. Am I the only one who sees parallels between this and Capra's subsequent seminal film It's a Wonderful Life? See more Aug 24, 2016 good pre-code drama from director frank capra & it was 4 me the last Capra film 4 me 2 c See more Jun 13, 2015 moves really fast but showcases Capra's unmatched talent in the heartwarming genre. See more May 11, 2014 1932 but from the banking scenario it might as well be 2014. Thomas Dickson, (Walter Huston) wants to help people with their mortgages and freely loans to needy people, while the board of directors want to keep money stashed to buy another bank. Sounds too familiar these days. See more Feb 4, 2012 Frank Capra's American Madness takes place during the Great Depression era and tells the story of Thomas Dickson (Walter Huston) the head of a bank whose lending policy relies heavily on the faith in people, much to the dismay of his board of directors. After the bank is robbed, rumors swirl leading a run on the bank of withdrawals which could mean the end of the bank. Thomas Dickson pretty much represents all of what Capra believes in. When we are first introduced to him, he is warm and friendly towards every one of his employees from the doorman to the bank clerks. His confidence and charm are abundant and Walter Huston does a good job at presenting this well-natured yet business savvy man who sticks with his convictions. This is the first of Capra's films to really embraces the power of the individual and the massive faith and trust which Capra had in the common man. Given that this film came out during the Great Depression I cannot even fathom how important it was in terms of making a social statement about the era. It's a sharp, brisk, important film that really started off the era of Frank Capra films which celebrates the power of the individual and the necessity of faith and trust in the common man. See more Read all reviews

American Madness

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