Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

GREEN’S BEST FILIBUSTER IN HOLLYWOOD HISTORY REVIEW:

An ever so brief plot summary would be that Mr. Smith, an idealistic compassionate, full of love for the American ideal, small town yokel becomes a US Senator when one of the other senators from his state dies suddenly while in office. The political machine of Washington politics wants to use him as a mindless stooge but get a not so welcome surprise. The cynical Washington press has a field day with the naive Senator and Clarissa Saunders, a jaded Senate staffer, wants nothing more to do with Washington politics or the baptism by stupidity of the young Mr. Smith until they, and she, get more than they bargained for.

Make sense? No? Then watch this movie. I promise you won't be disappointed. After all, it did win one Oscar (Best Writing, Original Story) in 1940 and was nominated for ten others, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

James Stewart is, well, James Stewart. 'Nuff said. Jean Arthur is awesome. Sexy. Must have been the heartthrob of her day, gravelly voice and all. Imagine if today's paparazzi and tabloid mags existed back then? Wow. Claude Rains... What can you say about a man who can hold his own acting along side the likes of Stewart in this film and Bogart in "Casablanca"? Pretty impressive company if you ask me.

What, you didn't ask?? Shame on you.

Many of the cast of this film will also have roles in another great Capra piece to be made seven years later. See if you can find them all.

This is another piece of classic American cinema which you should own, if you're into that sort of thing. If you don't feel good as an American after watching this movie, then there's something wrong with you. Yes, you. And you, and you in the back trying to sneak off of this blog without leaving a comment! I see you!!!

***** out of *****

Scribe-o may add his bit to this review. He said he would. We'll see if he actually does...