Frank Capra's Films & Archives
FILM 367
Fall 2026
| Section:
01
|
"Maybe there really wasn't an America...maybe it was only Frank Capra." -- John Cassavetes
Frank Capra directed, produced, and co-wrote some of Hollywood's most celebrated and enduring films of the 20th century. Amid Depression, war, and corruption, he triumphed the optimism, faith, and humor essential to the American spirit. This course explores Frank Capra's unique directorial style in the context of film history and filmmaking practices of the time, studies Capra as an artist and a person, and investigates the individual "stories" of many of his well-known and lesser-known projects. The Wesleyan Cinema Archives are proud to hold Capra's archive, enabling students to contextualize Capra and his films using original production documents, promotional material, correspondence, press clippings, and other curiosities.
In the latter part of the course, students will consider Capra's influence on later filmmakers, and the enduring idea of the "Capra-esque" |
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: FILM304 AND FILM307 |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: (Film Studies Minor)(Film Studies) |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Required:
Hart and Kaufman, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Sam Wasson, upcoming Frank Capra biography
Supplementary:
Frank Capra, THE NAME ABOVE THE TITLE
Joseph McBride, THE CATASTROPHE OF SUCCESS
|
Examinations and Assignments:
2 papers, 1 group oral presentation, class participation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance at all class meetings is required.
POI Deadline: April 10th
Students seeking Permission of Instructor should email mlongenecker@wesleyan.edu by the above deadline with a brief 1-2 paragraph "cover letter" explaining their interest in the course. |
| Instructor(s): Longenecker,Marc Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-04:40PM; Location: TBA |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 8 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
|
|