Franks Capra and Coppola

- -BEWARE OF SPOILERS BELOW- -

Coppola had a history with the Tucker Torpedo and always wanted to do a picture about the car. He says that once, long before he finally made 'Tucker,' he approached Frank Capra with the idea. Capra read the story and turned down the option of exec producer or any other relation to the film because he said he didn't like it. The ending to the true story, it seems, just wasn't happy enough for the man.

Interesting, considering that the only thing wrong with this excellent movie is that it is 'too "Capra."' The ludicrous closing argument in court; and the sappy lines about LOVE, and the SUCCESS of the IDEA at the end. I know I could be considered a grinch, but let's face facts: the court battle not only DIDN'T happen that way, it COULDN'T have in real life.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Capra--not really. He was a great storyteller and I consider his 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' to be possibly one of the two greatest films ever made. But the fact remains that Capra's incessant need for a brass-band-style happy ending can lead to annoying problems.

Anyway, just my opinion . . .