Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is perhaps one of the most inspirational movies I've ever seen - the story really reminds you of what politics and Washington should be about. Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, a naive Minnesota Boy Ranger (aka Boy Scout) - when the Governor needs to fill a Senate with someone who will sit there and not ask questions so that a bill he backs will go through, he thinks Jefferson is his man - after all, this man has no business in the Senate! When Jefferson arrives, he is in awe of the monuments and the history of the city and can't wait for the Senate to convene. He is especially excited to work with his mentor, Senior Senator Joseph Paine, a respected friend of his father's. When Jefferson decides to pass a bill to open a boy's camp in Minnesota, he doesn't realize he is interfering with the very bill he was meant not to disturb. When persuaded to back down, Jefferson stands up for himself and against the corruption and greed that he realized had taken over politics. Jim Taylor, the real political force behind the bill Smith fights goes on a rampage, creating a scandal he thinks Jefferson cannot overcome. However, with the help of his secretary, he finds a way to prevail!
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 Frank Capra film which was nominated for 11 Oscars! It took home only one for Best Original Screenplay. A few years later when Jimmy Stewart was awarded an Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, he felt it was actually overdue credit for his work in Mr. Smith. Many politicians at the time felt the film depicted Washington as corrupt and were outspoken against the film. European countries also banned it as they didn't want their citizens to see democracy at work. The American Film Institute named it as #27 on the Greatest Movies of all Time.
Wow - banned in Europe. I didn't know that! I so love this movie. I can pick it up at any point if I catch it on AMC or TCM and watch the rest of it bacause it's just such a classic. I'm so happy that you've discovered and fallen in love with Jimmy Stewart. Have you watched him in any westerns? If not, check it out. The Shootist is a great one with John Wayne, Jimmy, and I think Kate is even in it. One of their last movies I do believe. I'm certainly not the expert that Julia is though.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of his Westerns yet...I can't seem to make it out of the 1930's and 40's! Too many good ones! I will though, don't worry!
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