Written by Loren Marsters & George D. Morgan
SYNOPSIS
A 6-year year old Italian peasant boy who cannot read or write his own language, immigrates to America with his family. A few years later, he graduates from Caltech with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and despite the racial prejudices of those he works for, becomes the iconic, premier film director of the early 20th century.
REVIEWS
“Loren and George have stepped forward to tell the story of not just a Hollywood filmmaker, but in many ways, the story of our last century and how it was perceived through the prism of a master storyteller.”
Charles Evered; Award Winning Playwright/Director, Artistic Director, MFA Program, University of California Riverside
“Remarkable piece. Masterfully effective use of short dialogue scenes… entertainingly insightful.”
James Spence, Reviewer
Ventura Breeze, Ventura, California
“It doesn't matter how old you are - these stories will resonate with you on a very, very profound level.”
Carole Damgen
“Really enjoyed the story... superb job melding the different seasons.”
Dean McClure, Writer/Director, Rubicon Theatre
Ventura, California
“A surprising, edifying, and satisfying evening of theater!"
Mickey Birnbaum, Playwright: BLEED RAIL, BACKYARD, Los Angeles, California
Photo Credit: Rick Ives
FULL SYNOPSIS
Six-year old Francesco Rosario Capra’s immigration to America with his family in 1903, begins with a letter from a man Frank will never meet—his older brother, Ben.
Eventually, Capra earns a degree in chemical engineering from Caltech in Pasadena, but future plans are put on hold when he enlists in the U.S. Army to fight in World War I.
Unable to get work after the war, Capra becomes a drifter, hustler, and gambler. In San Francisco he cons his way into his first film directing job, which eventually leads him back to L.A. to work as a gag writer for the egomaniacal Mack Sennett.
After getting fired on a weekly basis, and then finally for good, he is hired as a director by Harry Cohn: President of the small time, B-Movie film company, Columbia Studios.
Capra’s maverick approach to everything at Columbia—the industry in general — keeps him constantly at odds with Cohn. Capra tolerates Cohn’s blatant racial prejudice and insults, because he knows Cohn wants Columbia to become a powerhouse, equal to MGM and Warner Brothers. Capra makes it happen... which creates even more animosity between the two men.
During this time, Frank meets and marries Lucille Raybern. As their relationship plays out, Capra will be both hero and goat to Columbia and the industry. He will bring Columbia it’s first Oscar for "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT". He will co-Found the Director’s Guild; and go head-to-head with the Studio heads over recognition of the organization.
Conversely, he’ll be Columbia's and the Washington D.C Press Corp’s goat when MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON debuts. U.S. Ambassador to Great Brittan, Joseph Kennedy will force censorship of the film in the UK—bringing an end to the Capra/Cohn, love/hate/love relationship.
When World War II breaks out, Capra feels duty bound to serve his country again.
By assignment from General George Marshall, Capra will once again make film history, producing a string of propaganda/documentaries. The most controversial titled, THE NEGRO SOLDIER.
When the war ends, Capra painfully discovers that his service to his country has marked the beginning of the end of his career in Hollywood. No one in Hollywood remembers who Frank Capra is. It is at this time that Frank will make his most iconic film...but it will be a box office flop.