Francesco Rosario Capra OBE (1897 - 1991)

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Biography

Frank Russell Capra OBE has Italian Roots.

Frank Russell Capra OBE migrated from Italia to America.

Frank Capra was an Italian-born American film director, producer, and writer involved in major award-winning films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Frank Capra was born Francesco Rosario Capra May 18, 1897,^[1] in Bisacquino, Sicilia. He was the youngest of seven children of Salvatore Capra, a fruit grower, and the former Rosaria "Serah" Nicolosi.^[2]

He was active in the film industry, engaging in various political and social activities. His direction of "It Happened One Night "(1934) was the first film to win all five top Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay). In 1938, he won a third Director Oscar for "You Can't Take It with You" which also won for Best Picture. He produced Why We Fight - a series of seven propaganda films produced by the US Department of War from 1942 to 1945. ^[3]

He directed "It's a Wonderful Life" which is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film. ^[4] "It's a Wonderful Life" is considered one of the greatest films of all time. American Film Institute recognized it as one of the 100 best American films ever made also being listed as No. 1 on its list of the most inspirational American films of all time.

He served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, worked alongside the Writers Guild of America, and was head of the Directors Guild of America. He served in the United States Army in World War I and II.

Selected Awards

He received numerous awards including:

• 1943 Legion of Merit
• 1944 Distinguished Service Medal
• 1962 - May 12th designated "Frank Capra Day" by the city of Los Angeles
• 1962 - Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• Three Oscars for Best Director

Timeline

1903 Immigration

He immigrated from Italy to the United States in 1903.^[5]

1910 Census

He was enumerated as son of the head of household at 1775 Albion Street, Los Angeles Assembly District 74, Los Angeles County, California for the April 23, United States Census, 1910. He was noted as born 1898 in Italy and single as seen in the image of the original census. Also included in the household are head Samuel Capra, wife Sarah Capra, son Tony Capra and daughter Anna Capra.^[5]

1917 Military Registration

He registered for military service in June 5, 19171917 United States World War I Draft Registration Card. His birth is listed as May 18, 1897. His father was listed as born in Palermo, Italy. His address was Troop College Dormitory. His nearest relative is Mrs. S. Capra (mother). He is medium height and medium build with brown eyes and dark brown hair as seen in this image of the original form.^[6]

1920 Naturalization

He became Frank Russell Capra from a May 14, 1918 request at his June 4, 1920 naturalization as shown here in an image of the original file.^[7]

1920 Census

He was enumerated as son of the head of household at 1775 Albion Street, Los Angeles Assembly District 65, Los Angeles County, California for the January 17, United States Census, 1920. He was noted as born 1898 in Italy and single as seen in the image of the original census. Also included in the household are head Rosie Capra and daughter Antoinette Capra.^[8]

He was enumerated as a roomer in a household at the corner of Commercial Row and Central Street, Reno, Washoe County, Nevada for the January 21, United States Census, 1920. He was noted as born 1897 in Italy and single. He was listed as an actor in moving pictures in likely a boarding house full of varying persons as seen in the image of the original census.^[9]

1923 Marriage

He and Helen Howell were married from November 29, 1923 (until August 16, 1929).^[10]

1930 Census

He was enumerated as a boarder of the head of household in 7006 Hollywood Boulevard , Los Angeles (Districts 0001-0250), Los Angeles County, California for the April 19, United States Census, 1930. He was noted as born 1898 in Italy and divorced. He was a director of motion pictures as seen in an image of the original census. Also included in the household are many others but none seem to be his family and are viewable in the transcription and image.^[11]

1932 Marriage

He married Lucille Florence Warner on February 1, 1932.^[10][12]

1940 Census

On April 1, 1935, He lived in Malibu, Los Angeles County, California.^[13]

He was enumerated as head of the household at 215 North Barrington Avenue, Councilmanic District 3, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Township, Los Angeles County, California for the April 9, United States Census, 1940. He was noted as born 1898 in Italy and married. He owned a home worth $100,000. He was shown to be a director of motion pictures as seen in this image of the original census. Also included in the household are wife Lucille W Capra, son Frank Capra, daughter Lucille Capra, chauffeur Raymond Burgin, nursemaid Vivian Daugherty, cook Rosa Haspang and butler Frank Chaplin.^[13]

1991 Death

He died September 3, 1991 in Riverside County, California. His mother was noted as Nicolosi.^[14]

He is listed in the September 3, 1991 United States Social Security Death Index. He had received his Social Security number in California.^[1]

He is buried at Coachella Valley Public Cemetery in Coachella, Riverside County, California, USA, Plot: Lot 289, Unit 8, Block 7. ^[15]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JT49-H3J : accessed 7 December 2015), Frank Capra, 03 Sep 1991; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. ↑ Wikipedia
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_We_Fight
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Wonderful_Life
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVL9-QJQ : accessed 7 December 2015), Frank Capra in household of Samuel Capra, Los Angeles Assembly District 74, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 54, sheet 14A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,096.
6. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZV5-FJD : accessed 16 December 2015), Frank Russel Capra, 1917-1918; citing Pasadena City no 1, California, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,531,272.
7. ↑ "California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX32-QY8 : accessed 16 December 2015), Francesco Or Frank Russell Capra, 1920; citing Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, National Archives and Records Service, Los Angeles Branch, Laguna Niguel; FHL microfilm 1,508,680.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQG-26Z : accessed 8 December 2015), Rosie Capra, 1920. Los Angeles Assembly District 242, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing sheet 10A, family 188, Line Number 50, Affiliate Name The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Affiliate Publication Number T625, Affiliate Film Number 109, GS Film Number 1820109, Digital Folder Number, 004964290, Image Number 00777 NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820281.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6PB-RGM : accessed 7 December 2015), Frank Capra in entry for Andria Dromiack, 1920., United States; citing sheet District ED 48, 7B, family 119, Line Number 82, Affiliate Film Number 1005, GS Film Number 1821005, Digital Folder Number 004966383, Image Number 00188NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820281.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "IMDB"
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJ1-KW8 : accessed 8 December 2015), "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJ1-L2W : accessed 16 November 2018), Frank R Copra, Los Angeles (Districts 0001-0250), Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 67, sheet 10B, line 55, family 299, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 134; FHL microfilm 2,339,869. Frank R Capra in entry for Fred H Johnston, 1930. District ED 65 Sheet Number and Letter 19A Household ID 199 Line Number 36 Affiliate Name The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Affiliate Publication Number T626 Affiliate Film Number 134 GS Film Number 2339869 Digital Folder Number 004950125 Image Number 00510
12. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2CD-LS74 : Sun Mar 10 15:45:48 UTC 2024), Entry for Frank R Capra and Lucille W Reyburn, 1 February 1932. Image of marriage record
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9CG-1RQ : accessed 16 December 2015), Frank Capra, Councilmanic District 3, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Township, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 60-218, sheet 4B, family 72, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 407.
14. ↑ "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP9J-3Q1 : accessed 16 December 2015), Frank Capra, 03 Sep 1991; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
15. ↑ Find A Grave

• Wikipedia: Frank Capra
• Wikidata: Item Q1781968, en:Wikipedia
• "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SPQ-KX6?cc=2046915&wc=MG3C-YWP%3A351040601%2C351040602%2C351501301 : 20 May 2014), Bisacquino > San Giovanni Battista > Battesimi 1897-1904 > image 79 of 386; Archivio di Arcidiocesi di Palermo (Palermo ArchDiocese Archives, Palermo).

• Portale Antenati, Atti di Nascita, Birth of Francesco Rosario Capra. Accessed on 28 Jan 2025 from antenati.san.beniculturali.it Source: Stato civile italiano (registri dei Comuni) - Bisacquino - 1897 - Nati - Registro 32 - Atto 121 - bottom right of image 114 of 270