Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is perhaps the most invested I’ve ever been in politics. Director Frank Capra has a way of making even the most boring topic interesting. My only familiarity with the story was from various Simpsons parodies. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was originally meant as a sequel to previous Capra film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. After the Best Picture winning success of You Can’t Take it with You, the movie turned into a starring vehicle for James Stewart and Jean Arthur. I immediately recognized Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as one of the all time greats, but it only won one of its 11 Oscar nominations. Only Best Writing, Original Story because 1939 was a very tight Best Picture race. My heart says The Wizard of Oz should’ve won, but I know nothing could compete with Gone with the Wind.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is based on an unpublished story titled “The Gentleman from Montana.” Jefferson Smith is a man of the people with no political experience. He becomes Junior Senator when boys from the Boy Rangers put his name in the ring. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a political drama, but there is a lot of humorous satire. Stewart’s performance is brilliant as he truly believes in American ideals. Arthur’s performance as Saunders is just as engrossing with her contrasting belief that the system is flawed. Of course the movie was a little controversial for its portrayal of the Senate. Claude Rains is Senator Paine, a more sympathetic monster who bows down to the corrupt Jim Taylor and his political machine. Now Edward Arnold plays Stewart’s enemy instead of his father.
Both Taylor and Paine expect Smith to be too naïve to ask questions, but all that changes when Jefferson establishes a bill to create a national boys camp where a dam was supposed to go. Although he has Saunders and the Boy Rangers on his side, Smith is just one man against the entire Senate. The Senate President played by Harry Carey may also be on his side since he allows him to plead his case. Jefferson launches a filibuster where he must keep standing and talking until he yields the floor. It’s a truly captivating scene and I was hanging on every word. Even in the face of lies and corruption, it’s inspiring to see Mr. Smith continue to fight for a lost cause until he collapses. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a people’s favorite.

Jefferson Smith reads falsified documents