Common Sense Media Review
Snappy lines, stellar performances, Capra classic.
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Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say that this classic film is an uplifting and humorous portrayal of a man who comes into a fortune and chooses to help those in need, showcasing its moral message. While many reviews highlight the film's inspiring themes and relatable message, they also point out the presence of drinking, smoking, and mild violence, making it a suitable watch for older children and adults.
- uplifting themes
- humorous portrayal
- moral message
- drinking and smoking
- family suitable
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN centers on greeting card poet Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper), a nice guy from a small town who finds out he's the only heir to an immense fortune. When he comes to New York to live the high life, he finds he hates being rich. When he tries to give the money away to the poor, he finds himself on trial for insanity. In scathing exposés of his small-town behavior, the newspapers declare him a backwater dope. Meanwhile, Deeds falls for a woman named Mary (Jean Arthur) who turns out to be one of the offending journalists. This tale gets quite dark before its dawn, but in the end, the trial provides the means for reconciliation between Deeds and Mary. Poor Mr. Deeds has a heck of a time weathering the cynical and nasty folk who live in New York. When he's on trial, getting slandered by hypocrite after hypocrite, things get pretty depressing.
Is It Any Good?
A snappy plot about a simple man made suddenly rich and a strong performance by Gary Cooper drive this wonderful classic. A strong moral foundation, recommending a big heart over a thick wallet, makes the movie ideal family fare, although younger viewers may get lost within the fast-paced story. Some kids might find the courthouse scenes upsetting. Others may find the notion that Deeds can give away his fortune in any equitable manner a bit hard to believe (especially during the Depression).
But the movie is typical Capra fare: It wears its morals and its sentiments on its sleeve. Everything else, including the soundness of Deeds's financial planning and the dreariness of his trial, is secondary to its ultimate championing of common decency. The movie is buoyed by the two fantastic performances of Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. He is the charming innocent, she the hard-as-nails city woman. Cooper has the ability to proselytize without sounding preachy, using the honest language of the common man. Arthur is sassy but sweet --a perfect foil.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this movie's message. What do you think the film maker was trying to say with this movie? Is the message still relevant today?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 12, 1936
- On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2000
- Cast : Gary Cooper , George Bancroft , Jean Arthur
- Director : Frank Capra
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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