Review of American Madness (1932) by Will M — 21 Jun 2009

Slow start but a powerful build. Capra's trademarks are all here - the nicely delineated characters, the combination of populism and mob rule, the ruthless emotional manipulation, the flawless eye for composition.

There is still some stock 1930s nonsense (the rakish banker, the lame gangster plot) that keeps this from classic status, but it's well worth a look if you get a chance.