Rent Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

A Classic. - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington review by KG

A Most Excellent film.   The USA has changed in various ways since then, but clearly not in all !   Jimmy Stewart at his memorable early best.   Jean Arthur also fine ( and no surprise that she was able later to reach her magnificent best in Shane ).   

We did actually find the final 10 minutes to be quite confusing however.

Big Politics (spoiler). - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington review by Steve

Somewhere in these two hours is the moment when Frank Capra's films stop being comedies at all, and the humour gets swallowed up in the moral darkness.  It opens with a traditional comic premise. James Stewart plays a fish out of water who is, out of his depth... a scout leader promoted to be a US Senator. He discovers that the whole barrel is rotten, and he must fight for the soul of his nation.

 With the world at war between fascism and the free world, the Italian born Capra sounds a grim warning to home audiences. He shows us politics is owned by graft. An industry magnate (Edward Arnold) runs a corrupt Senator (Claude Rains) who has abandoned his ideals. And they take the quixotic newcomer down when he opposes the crooked misuse of public money.

 In support, Jean Arthur is excellent as the tough spad insider who cynically attaches herself to Stewart. She changes sides. But as so often with Capra, it's the threat which represents the real world, and the resolution is just the illusion of hope we all need to carry on. In an unlikely turn of fortune, the conscience of the dishonest Senator finds its voice.

 This was a big breakout role for Stewart and establishes his persona as the conscience of the American silent majority, which is a presumed integrity. It's a beautiful looking film, with the then-novelty of deep focus photography. But mainly it is a warning to all that democracy and freedom are precarious and have to be fought for, or they will be lost.

American Classic - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington review by GI

This famous tale of political corruption is probably a film that all US senators should be made to watch before taking up their seats! It was certainly a controversial film back in 1939 where it was feared the USA maybe damaged by it's portrayal of the machinations of government and those that would subvert them in their own interest and it also has a big dig at the press who play along when directed by corporate blackmail. James Stewart in a scene stealing performance is the naïve Boy Scout leader Jefferson Smith and all round good guy who is selected to represent his state as senator. Those behind his selection, including his father's best friend played by Claude Rains, believe he will be easily controlled especially as they have plans for a big dam in the state which will make them all richer. But Jefferson proves to be no pushover once he cottons on to what is happening and he as a counter plan to build a camp for under privileged boys on the same land. But he hasn't prepared for the extent to which his character and life will be attacked. The film has a lot of humour especially in the first third of the film as it plays for laughs with Jefferson the classical fish out of water when he's thrust into the maelstrom of the political world but then the film settles into a compelling political drama that highlights the control of rich business over the elected officials. There's the necessary Hollywood romance thrown in with Jean Arthur as the worldly wise secretary who guides Jefferson through his troubles and falls for him in the process. Personally I find the film's ending a little anti-climactic as the bad guys don't get seen to get their comeuppance but this is small criticism. With a prestigious cast including Harry Carey and Thomas Mitchell this is a film that all cinephiles should ensure they see. It has themes that resonate very strongly today!