Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Review

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

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My Review

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is a political drama/satire film about an appointed U. S. Senator taking on the political establishment. James Stewart became a big star as a result of his portrayal of Jefferson Smith, the head of the Boy Rangers (a type of the Boy Scouts organization) who received a surprise appointment to the United States Senate. Stewart received second billing to Jean Arthur in the credits, but that changed after the public viewed him in this role of an average guy beating the odds, the “everyman” attribute of roles throughout his career.

Director Frank Capra (“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”1936) and screenwriter Sidney Buchman created an excellent drama-comedy picture that is still considered a classic today. The film was adapted from a story by Lewis R. Foster, who won the only Academy Award for this movie, Best Writing – Original Story, out of ten nominations.

Co-stars with Stewart and Arthur includes Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi, H. B. Warner, Harry Carey, Astrid Allwyn, Ruth Donnelly, Grant Mitchell, Charles Lane, William Demarest, H. B. Kaltenborn, and Thomas Mitchell, who also starred in two other blockbusters of 1939: “Gone With The Wind” and “Stagecoach.” Jack Carson and Dub Taylor appeared in uncredited roles. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” was a big hit at the box office for producer Frank Capra and Columbia Pictures.

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