Hollywood Hills home built for ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ director Frank Capra lists for sale

A Hollywood Hills home that once belonged to Oscar-winning director Frank Capra and his first wife, actress Helen Howell, has listed for sale at $2 million.

Built for Capra in 1925, the Spanish Revival-style house has vintage appeal with arched doors and windows, brick accents and wrought iron work. Colorful tile risers decorate the steps leading up to the entrance.

Inside, the 4,000 square feet of interiors continue the Old World ambiance with beamed ceilings, built-ins and stucco walls. A grand room topped with cathedral-style ceiling has French doors that open to an inner courtyard.

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Other living areas include an updated kitchen with a center island, a formal dining area, a den and a wet bar. The interior space includes four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a maid’s quarters with a separate entrance.

A raised deck, various sitting areas, garden beds and lawns make up the grounds. There’s also a two-car garage and a finished basement area.

The house last changed hands more than four decades ago for $42,000, property records show.

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Simon Mills of Mills Realty of California holds the listing.

Capra, who died in 1991 at 94, won a trio of Academy Awards for best director for the films “It Happened One Night” (1934), “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (1936) and “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938). “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) are among the Italian-American filmmaker’s other credits.

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neal.leitereg@latimes.com

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