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ComedyDrama

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

- Romance, drama, laughter and heartbreak... created out of the very heart and soil of America!

After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new senator has to battle political corruption.

Release Date : 1939-10-19

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Columbia Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Cast

James Stewart

Character Name : Jefferson Smith

Original Name : James Stewart

Gender : Male

Jean Arthur

Character Name : Clarissa Saunders

Original Name : Jean Arthur

Gender : Female

Claude Rains

Character Name : Joseph Paine

Original Name : Claude Rains

Gender : Male

Edward Arnold

Character Name : Jim Taylor

Original Name : Edward Arnold

Gender : Male

Guy Kibbee

Character Name : Governor Hopper

Original Name : Guy Kibbee

Gender : Male

Thomas Mitchell

Character Name : Diz Moore

Original Name : Thomas Mitchell

Gender : Male

Eugene Pallette

Character Name : Chick McGann

Original Name : Eugene Pallette

Gender : Male

Beulah Bondi

Character Name : Ma Smith

Original Name : Beulah Bondi

Gender : Female

H.B. Warner

Character Name : Senate Majority Leader

Original Name : H.B. Warner

Gender : Male

Harry Carey

Character Name : President of the Senate

Original Name : Harry Carey

Gender : Male

Astrid Allwyn

Character Name : Susan Paine

Original Name : Astrid Allwyn

Gender : Female

Ruth Donnelly

Character Name : Emma Hopper

Original Name : Ruth Donnelly

Gender : Female

Grant Mitchell

Character Name : Senator MacPherson

Original Name : Grant Mitchell

Gender : Male

Porter Hall

Character Name : Senator Monroe

Original Name : Porter Hall

Gender : Male

Pierre Watkin

Character Name : Senator Barnes

Original Name : Pierre Watkin

Gender : Male

Charles Lane

Character Name : Nosey

Original Name : Charles Lane

Gender : Male

William Demarest

Character Name : Bill Griffith

Original Name : William Demarest

Gender : Male

Dick Elliott

Character Name : Carl Cook

Original Name : Dick Elliott

Gender : Male

Billy Watson

Character Name : Peter Hopper

Original Name : Billy Watson

Gender : Male

Delmar Watson

Character Name : Jimmie Hopper

Original Name : Delmar Watson

Gender : Male

John Russell

Character Name : Hopper Boy

Original Name : John Russell

Gender : Male

Harry Watson

Character Name : Hopper Boy

Original Name : Harry Watson

Gender : Male

Garry Watson

Character Name : Hopper Boy

Original Name : Garry Watson

Gender : Male

Larry Simms

Character Name : Hopper Boy

Original Name : Larry Simms

Gender : Male

H.V. Kaltenborn

Character Name : Radio Broadcaster

Original Name : H.V. Kaltenborn

Gender : Male

Russell Simpson

Character Name : Kenneth Allen (uncredited)

Original Name : Russell Simpson

Gender : Male

Frances Gifford

Character Name : Hopper Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Frances Gifford

Gender : Female

Colin James Mackey

Character Name : Narrator (uncredited)

Original Name : Colin James Mackey

Gender : Male

Wilson Benge

Character Name : Hopper's Butler (uncredited)

Original Name : Wilson Benge

Gender : Male

Dickie Jones

Character Name : Richard Jones (uncredited)

Original Name : Dickie Jones

Gender : Male

Erville Alderson

Character Name : Handwriting Expert (uncredited)

Original Name : Erville Alderson

Gender : Male

Frank Puglia

Character Name : Handwriting Expert (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Puglia

Gender : Male

Maurice Cass

Character Name : Handwriting Expert (uncredited)

Original Name : Maurice Cass

Gender : Male

Stanley Andrews

Character Name : Senator Hodges (uncredited)

Original Name : Stanley Andrews

Gender : Male

Al Bridge

Character Name : Senator Dwight (uncredited)

Original Name : Al Bridge

Gender : Male

Edwin August

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Edwin August

Gender : Male

Edmund Cobb

Character Name : Senator Gower (uncredited)

Original Name : Edmund Cobb

Gender : Male

Sam Ash

Character Name : Senator Lancaster (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Ash

Gender : Male

Harry A. Bailey

Character Name : Senator Hammett (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry A. Bailey

Gender : Male

Stanley Mack

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Stanley Mack

Gender : Male

Brooks Benedict

Character Name : Senate Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Brooks Benedict

Gender : Male

Wade Boteler

Character Name : Family Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Wade Boteler

Gender : Male

Dorothy Comingore

Character Name : Woman at Station (uncredited)

Original Name : Dorothy Comingore

Gender : Female

Chester Conklin

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Chester Conklin

Gender : Male

Gino Corrado

Character Name : Barber (uncredited)

Original Name : Gino Corrado

Gender : Male

Ann Doran

Character Name : Paine's Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Ann Doran

Gender : Female

Robert Emmett Keane

Character Name : Editor (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Emmett Keane

Gender : Male

Matt McHugh

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Matt McHugh

Gender : Male

Kathryn Bates

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Kathryn Bates

Gender : Male

Frank Austin

Character Name : Inventor (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Austin

Gender : Male

William Arnold

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : William Arnold

Gender : Male

Tommy Baker

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Tommy Baker

Gender : Male

Robert Sterling

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Sterling

Gender : Male

Dub Taylor

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Dub Taylor

Gender : Male

George Chandler

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : George Chandler

Gender : Male

Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

Character Name : Porter (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

Gender : Male

Jack Carson

Character Name : Sweeney Farrell (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Carson

Gender : Male

Tommy Bupp

Character Name : Cheering Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Tommy Bupp

Gender : Male

Dora Clement

Character Name : Mrs. McGann (uncredited)

Original Name : Dora Clement

Gender : Female

Bert Moorhouse

Character Name : Man in Senate Building (uncredited)

Original Name : Bert Moorhouse

Gender : Male

Harry C. Bradley

Character Name : Arthur Kim (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry C. Bradley

Gender : Male

Lynton Brent

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Lynton Brent

Gender : Male

Ed Brewer

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Ed Brewer

Gender : Male

Harlan Briggs

Character Name : Mr. Edwards (uncredited)

Original Name : Harlan Briggs

Gender : Male

Harry Burkhardt

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Burkhardt

Gender : Male

Frederick Burton

Character Name : Senator Dearhorn (uncredited)

Original Name : Frederick Burton

Gender : Male

Georgia Caine

Character Name : Third Radio Speaker (uncredited)

Original Name : Georgia Caine

Gender : Female

Ken Carpenter

Character Name : Announcer (uncredited)

Original Name : Ken Carpenter

Gender : Male

Burr Caruth

Character Name : Townsend (uncredited)

Original Name : Burr Caruth

Gender : Male

Allan Cavan

Character Name : Ragner (uncredited)

Original Name : Allan Cavan

Gender : Male

Eddy Chandler

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddy Chandler

Gender : Male

Davison Clark

Character Name : Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Davison Clark

Gender : Male

Richard Clucas

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Clucas

Gender : Male

Shirley Coates

Character Name : Assistant Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Shirley Coates

Gender : Male

Eddie Coke

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Coke

Gender : Male

Hal Cooke

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Hal Cooke

Gender : Male

Alec Craig

Character Name : Speaker (uncredited)

Original Name : Alec Craig

Gender : Male

Anne Cornwall

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Anne Cornwall

Gender : Female

George Cooper

Character Name : Waiter (uncredited)

Original Name : George Cooper

Gender : Male

Georgie Cooper

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Georgie Cooper

Gender : Male

Jack Cooper

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Cooper

Gender : Male

Nick Copeland

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Nick Copeland

Gender : Male

Vernon Dent

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Vernon Dent

Gender : Male

Maurice Costello

Character Name : Diggs (uncredited)

Original Name : Maurice Costello

Gender : Male

Beatrice Curtis

Character Name : Paine's Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Beatrice Curtis

Gender : Female

Lew Davis

Character Name : Senate Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Lew Davis

Gender : Male

Dulcie Day

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Dulcie Day

Gender : Male

Wally Dean

Character Name : Paine's Friend (uncredited)

Original Name : Wally Dean

Gender : Male

Harry Depp

Character Name : Hat Salesman / Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Depp

Gender : Male

Byron Foulger

Character Name : Hopper's Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Byron Foulger

Gender : Male

Helen Jerome Eddy

Character Name : Paine's Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : Helen Jerome Eddy

Gender : Female

Douglas Evans

Character Name : Francis Scott Key (uncredited)

Original Name : Douglas Evans

Gender : Male

Joe Devlin

Character Name : Waiter (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Devlin

Gender : Male

Clyde Dilson

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Clyde Dilson

Gender : Male

John Dilson

Character Name : Secretary (uncredited)

Original Name : John Dilson

Gender : Male

Neal Dodd

Character Name : Senate Chaplain (uncredited)

Original Name : Neal Dodd

Gender : Male

Lester Dorr

Character Name : Taylor's Stooge (uncredited)

Original Name : Lester Dorr

Gender : Male

Robert Dudley

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Dudley

Gender : Male

Edward Earle

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Earle

Gender : Male

Jack Egan

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Egan

Gender : Male

Eddie Fetherston

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Fetherston

Gender : Male

Mabel Forrest

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Mabel Forrest

Gender : Female

Gladys Gale

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Gladys Gale

Gender : Female

Jack Gardner

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Gardner

Gender : Male

Mary Gordon

Character Name : Woman (uncredited)

Original Name : Mary Gordon

Gender : Female

June Gittelson

Character Name : Woman at Station (uncredited)

Original Name : June Gittelson

Gender : Female

Lorna Gray

Character Name : Woman at Station (uncredited)

Original Name : Lorna Gray

Gender : Female

Harry Hayden

Character Name : First Radio Announcer (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Hayden

Gender : Male

Louis Jean Heydt

Character Name : Soapbox Speaker (uncredited)

Original Name : Louis Jean Heydt

Gender : Male

John Ince

Character Name : Senator Fernwick (uncredited)

Original Name : John Ince

Gender : Male

Frank Jaquet

Character Name : Senator Byron (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Jaquet

Gender : Male

Philo McCullough

Character Name : Senator Albert (uncredited)

Original Name : Philo McCullough

Gender : Male

Wright Kramer

Character Name : Senator Carlton (uncredited)

Original Name : Wright Kramer

Gender : Male

Henry Hebert

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Henry Hebert

Gender : Male

Fred Hoose

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Fred Hoose

Gender : Male

Richard Kipling

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Richard Kipling

Gender : Male

Roger Haliday

Character Name : Senate Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Roger Haliday

Gender : Male

Wilfred Hari

Character Name : House Boy (uncredited)

Original Name : Wilfred Hari

Gender : Male

Philip Hurlic

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Philip Hurlic

Gender : Male

Olaf Hytten

Character Name : Butler (uncredited)

Original Name : Olaf Hytten

Gender : Male

Lloyd Ingraham

Character Name : Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Lloyd Ingraham

Gender : Male

Mitchell Ingraham

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Mitchell Ingraham

Gender : Male

Dick Jensen

Character Name : Hoodlum (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Jensen

Gender : Male

John Lester Johnson

Character Name : Butler (uncredited)

Original Name : John Lester Johnson

Gender : Male

Eddie Kane

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Eddie Kane

Gender : Male

Donald Kerr

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Donald Kerr

Gender : Male

Milton Kibbee

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Milton Kibbee

Gender : Male

Joe King

Character Name : Summers (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe King

Gender : Male

Evalyn Knapp

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Evalyn Knapp

Gender : Female

Paul Kruger

Character Name : Bodyguard (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Kruger

Gender : Male

Bobby Larson

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Bobby Larson

Gender : Male

Billy Lechner

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Billy Lechner

Gender : Male

Jackie Lowe

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Jackie Lowe

Gender : Male

P.H. Levy

Character Name : Rabbi (uncredited)

Original Name : P.H. Levy

Gender : Male

Vera Lewis

Character Name : Mrs. Edwards (uncredited)

Original Name : Vera Lewis

Gender : Female

Jack Lindquist

Character Name : Chorus Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Lindquist

Gender : Male

George Lloyd

Character Name : Hoodlum (uncredited)

Original Name : George Lloyd

Gender : Male

Arthur Loft

Character Name : Chief Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Arthur Loft

Gender : Male

Jack Low

Character Name : Hoodlum (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Low

Gender : Male

Jimmie Lucas

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Jimmie Lucas

Gender : Male

Mary MacLaren

Character Name : Head Sister (uncredited)

Original Name : Mary MacLaren

Gender : Female

Hank Mann

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Hank Mann

Gender : Male

Margaret Mann

Character Name : Nun (uncredited)

Original Name : Margaret Mann

Gender : Female

Eric Mayne

Character Name : Man in Senate Building (uncredited)

Original Name : Eric Mayne

Gender : Male

Ralph McCullough

Character Name : Assistant Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Ralph McCullough

Gender : Male

George McKay

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : George McKay

Gender : Male

Lafe McKee

Character Name : Veteran at Lincoln Memorial (uncredited)

Original Name : Lafe McKee

Gender : Male

Ben Taggart

Character Name : Pompous Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Ben Taggart

Gender : Male

Field Norton

Character Name : Pompous Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Field Norton

Gender : Male

Wilfred Lucas

Character Name : Pompous Man (uncredited)

Original Name : Wilfred Lucas

Gender : Male

Sammy McKim

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Sammy McKim

Gender : Male

James McNamara

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : James McNamara

Gender : Male

William Newell

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : William Newell

Gender : Male

Robert Middlemass

Character Name : Radio Announcer #2 (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Middlemass

Gender : Male

James Millican

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : James Millican

Gender : Male

Howard M. Mitchell

Character Name : Shoe Salesman (uncredited)

Original Name : Howard M. Mitchell

Gender : Male

Charles R. Moore

Character Name : Porter (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles R. Moore

Gender : Male

Gene Morgan

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Gene Morgan

Gender : Male

Robert Morgan

Character Name : Senate Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Morgan

Gender : Male

Ray Nichols

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Ray Nichols

Gender : Male

Alex Novinsky

Character Name : Foreign Diplomat (uncredited)

Original Name : Alex Novinsky

Gender : Male

Frank O'Connor

Character Name : Senator Alfred (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank O'Connor

Gender : Male

Frank Otto

Character Name : Fisk (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank Otto

Gender : Male

Joe Palma

Character Name : Hoodlum (uncredited)

Original Name : Joe Palma

Gender : Male

Spencer Quinn

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : Spencer Quinn

Gender : Male

Tom Quinn

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Tom Quinn

Gender : Male

Ed Randolph

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Ed Randolph

Gender : Male

Charles Regan

Character Name : Hoodlum (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Regan

Gender : Male

Jack Rice

Character Name : Lang (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Rice

Gender : Male

Wyndham Standing

Character Name : Senator Ashman (uncredited)

Original Name : Wyndham Standing

Gender : Male

Ferris Taylor

Character Name : Senator Carlisle (uncredited)

Original Name : Ferris Taylor

Gender : Male

Jack Richardson

Character Name : Senator Manchester (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Richardson

Gender : Male

Walter Soderling

Character Name : Senator Pickett (uncredited)

Original Name : Walter Soderling

Gender : Male

Harry Stafford

Character Name : Senator Atwater (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Stafford

Gender : Male

Victor Travis

Character Name : Senator Grainger (uncredited)

Original Name : Victor Travis

Gender : Male

Carl Stockdale

Character Name : Senator Burdette (uncredited)

Original Name : Carl Stockdale

Gender : Male

Bob Walker

Character Name : Senator Holland (uncredited)

Original Name : Bob Walker

Gender : Male

Henry Roquemore

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Henry Roquemore

Gender : Male

Craig Stevens

Character Name : Senate Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Craig Stevens

Gender : Male

Paul Stanton

Character Name : Flood a Newsman (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Stanton

Gender : Male

Johnny Russell

Character Name : Otis Hopper (uncredited)

Original Name : Johnny Russell

Gender : Male

Walter Sande

Character Name : Newspaperman with Pipe (uncredited)

Original Name : Walter Sande

Gender : Male

Frank M. Thomas

Character Name : Hendricks (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank M. Thomas

Gender : Male

Harry Strang

Character Name : Bodyguard (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Strang

Gender : Male

Harry Tenbrook

Character Name : Bodyguard (uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Tenbrook

Gender : Male

Dave Willock

Character Name : Senate Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Dave Willock

Gender : Male

Lloyd Whitlock

Character Name : Schultz (uncredited)

Original Name : Lloyd Whitlock

Gender : Male

John Tyrrell

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : John Tyrrell

Gender : Male

Frederick Vroom

Character Name : Paine's Friend (uncredited)

Original Name : Frederick Vroom

Gender : Male

Charles Sullivan

Character Name : Cab Driver (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Sullivan

Gender : Male

Arthur Thalasso

Character Name : Doorman (uncredited)

Original Name : Arthur Thalasso

Gender : Male

Edward Thomas

Character Name : Butler (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Thomas

Gender : Male

Laura Treadwell

Character Name : Mrs. Taylor (uncredited)

Original Name : Laura Treadwell

Gender : Male

Layne Tom Jr.

Character Name : Boy Ranger (uncredited)

Original Name : Layne Tom Jr.

Gender : Male

Myonne Walsh

Character Name : Jane Hopper (uncredited)

Original Name : Myonne Walsh

Gender : Male

Billy Wayne

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Billy Wayne

Gender : Male

Max Waizmann

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : Max Waizmann

Gender : Male

John Ward

Character Name : Photographer (uncredited)

Original Name : John Ward

Gender : Male

Jane Loofbourrow

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Jane Loofbourrow

Gender : Male

Blanche Payson

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Blanche Payson

Gender : Female

Emma Tansey

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Emma Tansey

Gender : Male

Bess Wade

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Bess Wade

Gender : Male

Florence Wix

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Florence Wix

Gender : Female

Eleanor Wood

Character Name : Committeewoman (uncredited)

Original Name : Eleanor Wood

Gender : Male

Jesse Graves

Character Name : Black Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Jesse Graves

Gender : Male

Gus Glassmire

Character Name : Angry Committee Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Gus Glassmire

Gender : Male

Larry Steers

Character Name : Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Larry Steers

Gender : Male

Landers Stevens

Character Name : Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : Landers Stevens

Gender : Male

William Worthington

Character Name : Committeeman (uncredited)

Original Name : William Worthington

Gender : Male

Edward Biby

Character Name : Foreign Diplomat (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Biby

Gender : Male

Count Stefenelli

Character Name : Foreign Diplomat (uncredited)

Original Name : Count Stefenelli

Gender : Male

David Wade

Character Name : (uncredited)

Original Name : David Wade

Gender : Male

Frank McLure

Character Name : Senator (uncredited)

Original Name : Frank McLure

Gender : Male

Reviews

A

Andres Gomez

@tanty

2021-06-23

Fun movie with an interesting story and characters but with an extremely naïve ending. In any case, I must to be seen by Frank Capra and a young James Stewart.

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-03-06

There's an interview somewhere with Bette Davis enthusing about the skills of Claude Rains, and I think this is an example of just what she meant. He is the established senator ("Paine") who has taken the rather stoic view that representing big business some of the time allowing him to represent his electorate the rest of it is a path worth following. When his colleague suddenly dies, it falls to the very political machine he serves to find a replacement. The hapless governor (Guy Kibbee) couldn't make a decision if his life depended on it, but thanks to a lively family dinner alights on local boy scout leader "Jeff Smith" (James Stewart). The man in charge - "Taylor" (Edward Arnold) is convinced that this naive and optimistic young man can do no harm to a pressing project they are hoping to pass through the Senate imminently. Duly appointed, our trusting and doe-eyed young gent heads to a Washington DC where an admittedly rather sentimental bus tour reminds him that he is the heart of his great democracy. "Paine" has assigned the wily "Saunders" (Jean Arthur) to keep an eye on him, and pretty soon they have suggested he find a pet project. A camp for boys from underprivileged backgrounds. That's got to be a benign concept - except, well soon he's got the establishment that sent him there in a complete and pretty violent tizz! Gradually, "Smith" realises that his fanciful desires for his nation are but an illusion. Can he still win through, though? Frank Capra can't resist a little flag waving at the beginning, but once this story gets into it's stride it's a powerful evaluation of just how undemocratic democracies can be. Big business and vested interests prevail - however altruistic they may originally intend to be. Stewart delivers a character brimming with authenticity and integrity; ably assisted by the quick-tongued and very much on-form Arthur and by the always reliable Thomas Mitchell as the gin-soaked reporter "Diz" we build convincingly to a conclusion that.. well you'll have to watch. It's a great drama this, plenty of pace and a script that keeps each persona and the whole scenario engaging from start to finish. One of the best, I reckon - and if you can, it's well worth seeing on a big screen for two hours that flies by.

F

Filipe Manuel Neto

@FilipeManuelNeto

2024-04-04

**A strangely current film that, using comedy, shows us well the problems that affect our democratic system.** I only discovered this film a few days ago. It is quite evident that it has fallen into total oblivion and few people remember it. However, it is worth revisiting. It's a comedy in which an idealistic scoutmaster is recruited for the position of senator, finding himself in a corrupt environment where idealism seems to have disappeared. There is also a romantic plot essay between a congressman's daughter and the main character, but I think this is unnecessary as it serves absolutely no purpose. Despite being a comedy, the film brings us very serious messages that are worth reflecting on. The most obvious is the importance of fighting for noble values and just causes, regardless of whether they are difficult, raise objections or result in discomfort. There is a special nobility in pure idealists, even if their ideas are not very doable. The film also highlights the corruption in the political system, the promiscuity between politics and business, and the way in which a few men with political power and money control the media and stifle press freedom, restraining journalists and forcing them to tell their versions of the truth. Unfortunately, these problems persist, they have worsened and make the film very current. Politics has never been as badly attended as it is today; never has the poor quality of politicians been so evident; it has never been easier to be corrupt in positions of power; it was never been so clear the connection between political parties, big companies and banks, where politicians go when they leave the office. And with the amount of fake or highly manipulated news that circulates on social media like wildfire, it has never been easier to manipulate truth. For these reasons, our democracies, which we strive to build and want to preserve, are seriously ill. If people have dissociated themselves from politics, disgusted by what they see, and don't want to hold an office or exercise the right to vote, it's our fault, we let the rats take over the ship. The film is not subtle, even though there is never any mention of political parties or North American states, and a clear warning is made that the story is absolute fiction. I can, therefore, understand the terrible reaction it aroused among politicians and the party apparatus, but it is still curious that it was banned in European dictatorships (I don't know if it reached Portugal, but it was banned in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and of Francoist Spain), fearful that the film would show the advantages of the democratic system. In fact, despite ending well, the film shows its most serious weaknesses. I also don't understand why the US Scouts refused to be associated with the project, considering that the film portrays a really good image of them! Nominated for eleven Oscars at the 1940 ceremony, it was one of the favorites that year, but only won the statuette for Best Original Screenplay, which makes it one of the losers of the night. With excellent cinematography and incredible work on sets and costumes, it was one of the studio's biggest bets that year. The number of renowned actors among the cast is quite remarkable and shows the commitment and budget available for the project. James Stewart knew well how important it could be for his career, and his commitment was total, providing us with one of the most intense works he has done. Beside her, the friendly Jean Arthur ensures a strong and impactful female presence. Claude Rains and Edward Arnold also deserve praise for their work on this film, as does Harry Carey, who said more with a smile than with a full speech.