Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
1939 - Columbia Pictures
Directed By Frank Capra



SYNOPSIS

A U.S. Senator dies, and the governor of the state appoints the naive leader of the Boy Rangers, Jefferson Smith (James Stewart.) The governor (Guy Kibbee) is part of a corrupt political machine run by newspaperman Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold.) The governor believes Smith can be easily controlled. But when a land graft scheme put in place by Taylor interferes with a bill Smith proposes... Taylor and his machine move to crush Smith before he can expose their plot.



MY THOUGHTS

An inspiring and masterful work featuring the second team-up of director Frank Capra and star James Stewart.

The film remains relevant more than 70 years later. In the late 30's corrupt politicians were a dime a dozen, and despite inflation, cost the same today.
The little guy taking on a massive foe is a story that's been told a million times (it was old when David vs. Goliath was written down) and will keep being told and will never get old. Mr. Smith is David and the corrupt political machine is Goliath.

Capra weaves what could easily be a boring, long winded political snore-fest but he makes every scene further the plot and move the story at a fast and exciting pace. The director knew how to manipulate (in a good way) his audience and get them to feel the way he wanted. Investing the audience emotionally makes for a more exciting film. Capra is also able to weave in some Poli-Sci lessons in the narrative and teach the viewer a little bit about democracy. Capra's skills are the obvious reason why the U.S. Government called on him to make the Why We Fight series of propaganda films during the war.

James Stewart delivered one his best performances of his young pre-war career as Mr. Smith. He's a very sympathetic character and the audience stands steadfast at his side even with all the accusations against him. He shows here all the traits that would make him a huge star later.

Jean Arthur is also great as Smith's coldly cynical secretary who warms to the young senator's naive charms and becomes the only person who will listen to him.

With great heroes to root for, you also need great villains. Claude Rains turns in yet another flawless performance as the senior (and corrupt) senator from Smith's state. He always played his villainous roles with some compassion, making them more realistic and understandable. the characters of Edward Arnold's Taylor and Guy Kibbee's governor aren't as well developed but strong screen presences help them.

Many familiar faces like Harry Carey, Thomas Mitchell and H.B. Warner also offer support.

Mr. Smith was definitely a product of the era after President Roosevelt called the heads of Hollywood studios to Washington in the late 30's to ask them to help prepare the nation for war. World War I-themed films like The Dawn Patrol and The Fighting 69th were also part of the patriotic effort. This very strong pro-American tone might be a little strong for today's audiences but fits in perfectly with this era and the war years.



The whole story culminates in a nearly 24 hour filibuster and is one of the best sequences of the film filled with drama, suspense and humor and helps to cap off the themes of this excellent film, definitely deserving of the term "classic."