Talks about Capra's "Socially Conscious" films.  Here is an excerpt:

"Capra's films in his socially-conscious period included several similar elements, according to Charles Maland. The hero was usually an innocent idealist who represented both traditional American and Christian ideals. He tried to live by the creed "Love Thy Neighbor." Although he had moments of doubt, he finally emerged as a hero in the end. The heroine was usually a cynical working woman, often a reporter or secretary, won over by the hero's idealism. The plot usually included both a ritual humiliation and a ritual victory. At first, the innocent hero found himself in a den of villains who made a fool out of him, sometimes using the media to do so. Finally, the hero emerged victorious, often with the help of an authority figure and the support of the people. Maland points out that Capra's villains became increasingly villainous between 1936, when Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was released, and 1941, when Meet John Doe was released. He adds, however, that the media, in contrast, are more nearly neutral. Their function is to make the private actions of the hero public. 'Challenged by the villain, who uses the media for his advantage, the Capra hero is humiliated at some public forum...'"

 

Using this passage as well as others in the article, what elements of the socially conscious period do you see in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1KdnHhuZoQ