Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Even though Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of the most famous old movies of all time, there are a lot of people of this generation that haven’t seen it. Any political science or American history student needs to watch it. There aren’t any cell phones or computers, but it still hits home. The basic plot could happen at any time: an innocent person who wants to do good finds out that the political system is actually corrupt.
A regular Boy Scout (literally), James Stewart gets appointed to fill an empty senatorial slot. He’s very excited and very naïve. He meets up with the senior senator, Claude Rains, who takes him under his wing. Claude is full of experience and political realities. You’ll recognize a huge host of supporting characters: Edward Arnold as a corrupt party leader, Thomas Mitchell as a truth-seeking newspaperman, Jean Arthur as the cynic who gets fresher from Jimmy’s influence, Guy Kibbee as an inept governor, Beulah Bondi as Jimmy’s mom (of course), and H.B. Warner, Porter Hall, Astrid Allwyn, Harry Carey, and Grant Mitchell.
The most famous sequence is, of course, the filibuster scene. Jimmy wears himself out reading and making speeches until he literally faints from exhaustion. Though not entirely realistic (it still has the charm of 1930s optimism), it’s an iconic movie that propelled James Stewart to leading man status. If you like the overall theme, check out the more modern comedies The Candidate and The Distinguished Gentleman. For a gritty, realistic take on senate committees, rent Advise & Consent.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Sara Corales" for posting!
More James Stewart movies here!
A regular Boy Scout (literally), James Stewart gets appointed to fill an empty senatorial slot. He’s very excited and very naïve. He meets up with the senior senator, Claude Rains, who takes him under his wing. Claude is full of experience and political realities. You’ll recognize a huge host of supporting characters: Edward Arnold as a corrupt party leader, Thomas Mitchell as a truth-seeking newspaperman, Jean Arthur as the cynic who gets fresher from Jimmy’s influence, Guy Kibbee as an inept governor, Beulah Bondi as Jimmy’s mom (of course), and H.B. Warner, Porter Hall, Astrid Allwyn, Harry Carey, and Grant Mitchell.
The most famous sequence is, of course, the filibuster scene. Jimmy wears himself out reading and making speeches until he literally faints from exhaustion. Though not entirely realistic (it still has the charm of 1930s optimism), it’s an iconic movie that propelled James Stewart to leading man status. If you like the overall theme, check out the more modern comedies The Candidate and The Distinguished Gentleman. For a gritty, realistic take on senate committees, rent Advise & Consent.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Sara Corales" for posting!
More James Stewart movies here!