Sicilian-born, Frank Capra immigrated to the USA when he was only six years old. After studying chemistry and serving in World War I, he bluffed his way into the movie business and learned films from the bottom up, from the film lab to the prop department to the editing department, settling in as a gagman during the 1920s.
In 1928 he signed a contract as a director with Columbia Pictures. This collaboration brought 25 films to the big screen, including Lost Horizon, It Happened One Night and Mr Smith Goes to Washington.
The work of Frank Capra remains marked by his eternal optimism, his patriotism and his profoundly human character. He remains one of the most honoured and well-liked directors of his generation.