Question 1

True or false: Frank Capra was born in Sicily and immigrated to the United States as a child.

Accepted Answer

True. He was born in Bisacquino, Sicily, in 1897 and moved to Los Angeles with his family at age five.

Question 2

True or false: Capra never used improvisation on set, insisting actors stick strictly to the script.

Accepted Answer

False. Capra encouraged improvisation and spontaneity, especially in comedies like 'It Happened One Night,' where Clark Gable ad-libbed lines.

Question 3

True or false: Capra's film 'Lost Horizon' was a box office smash that won multiple Oscars.

Accepted Answer

False. 'Lost Horizon' was a financial disappointment, not a box office smash, though it won two Academy Awards. The film's high production costs led to losses.

Question 4

True or false: Frank Capra directed 'It's a Wonderful Life' based on a story he wrote himself.

Accepted Answer

False. The film was based on Philip Van Doren Stern's short story 'The Greatest Gift,' not Capra's own writing.

Question 5

True or false: Capra was a five-time Academy Award winner for Best Director.

Accepted Answer

False. Frank Capra won the Best Director Oscar three times: for It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and You Can't Take It with You (1938). Honorary awards do not count as Best Director wins.

Question 6

True or false: Capra served as a combat cameraman during World War II.

Accepted Answer

False. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, making propaganda films like the 'Why We Fight' series, but not as a combat cameraman.

Question 7

True or false: Frank Capra's first major film hit was a silent comedy called 'The Strong Man'.

Accepted Answer

True. Released in 1926, 'The Strong Man' starring Harry Langdon launched Capra's career as a leading comedy director.

Question 8

True or false: Frank Capra directed the classic film 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

Accepted Answer

True. Frank Capra directed the beloved 1946 Christmas film starring James Stewart, a film widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made.

Frank Capra Trivia Questions