76 years ago, Robert Riskin, the screenwriter behind such classic American movies as "Meet John Doe," "It Happened One Night" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (all directed by Frank Capra) wrote the screenplay to a nearly forgotten movie, "American Madness," a flick about the Great Depression.
Riskin and Capra were idealists. And liberals. They believed in the strength of the little guy and the corruption (in the words of Lord Acton) of absolute power.
Many cineastes regard "American Madness" as the spiritual forerunner of "It's a Wonderful Life." If you can't find it in your local video emporium, check out this clip. The first couple minutes are lousy, but the last four are wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6sCsF5fBCk
fabulous script...timelessly timely....
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