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Lot #735
Frank Capra

"I am certain that 'Mr. Smith' has given your pupils a clearer picture of American history"

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Estimate: $200+
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Description

"I am certain that 'Mr. Smith' has given your pupils a clearer picture of American history"

TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Frank Capra Productions, Inc. letterhead, February 21, 1980. Letter to a schoolteacher, in full: "Thank you for your fascinating letter about how your grammar school children react to the topic of film. I was most delighted to hear that you ran 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' for your grade six class. I think that was a splendid idea for I am certain that 'Mr. Smith' has given your pupils a clearer picture of American history. I agree with you that more historical films should be made, and that they would be interesting to the younger people. I think this is as much the fault of the teachers as of the filmmakers. I once showed 'Mr. Smith' to about 150 fifth and sixth graders and the teachers all expected the youngsters to leave the projection room after about twenty minutes, 'Because,' they said, 'the attention span of fifth graders is not over twenty minutes on any subject.' They were wrong. The pupils sat two hours through the film, and then spent another half hour asking me questions about it. Pupils and students like film, it's their medium. They grow up with it—they dig it; and for my money—next to a fine teacher—film is the greatest educational tool we have. I congratulate you for using film as a teaching tool for your elementary class." In fine condition.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: #600 - Ended January 13, 2021





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