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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

  • 19391939
  • PassedPassed
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
114K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Beulah Bondi, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, and Eugene Pallette in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer1:37
1 Video
88 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

A naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries... Read allA naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his character.A naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his character.

IMDb RATING
8.1/10
114K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Sidney Buchman(screen play)
    • Lewis R. Foster(story)
    • Myles Connolly(contributor to screenplay construction and dialogue)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Jean Arthur
    • Claude Rains
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Sidney Buchman(screen play)
    • Lewis R. Foster(story)
    • Myles Connolly(contributor to screenplay construction and dialogue)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Jean Arthur
    • Claude Rains
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 334User reviews
    • 99Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #190
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 6 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos1

    Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
    Trailer 1:37
    Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

    Photos88

    James Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
    James Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
    James Stewart and Jean Arthur in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
    James Stewart, Beulah Bondi, Ruth Donnelly, and Guy Kibbee in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Frank Capra, James Stewart 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Beulah Bondi, Guy Kibbee, James Stewart 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" James Stewart, Jean Arthur 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Thomas Mitchell 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" James Stewart 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Claude Rains, James Stewart, 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" James Stewart, Claude Rains and Cast 1939 Columbia
    "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Frank Capra 1939 Columbia

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • Jefferson Smithas Jefferson Smith
    Jean Arthur
    Jean Arthur
    • Saundersas Saunders
    Claude Rains
    Claude Rains
    • Senator Joseph Paineas Senator Joseph Paine
    Edward Arnold
    Edward Arnold
    • Jim Tayloras Jim Taylor
    Guy Kibbee
    Guy Kibbee
    • Governor Hopperas Governor Hopper
    Thomas Mitchell
    Thomas Mitchell
    • Diz Mooreas Diz Moore
    Eugene Pallette
    Eugene Pallette
    • Chick McGannas Chick McGann
    Beulah Bondi
    Beulah Bondi
    • Ma Smithas Ma Smith
    H.B. Warner
    H.B. Warner
    • Senate Majority Leaderas Senate Majority Leader
    Harry Carey
    Harry Carey
    • President of the Senateas President of the Senate
    Astrid Allwyn
    Astrid Allwyn
    • Susan Paineas Susan Paine
    Ruth Donnelly
    Ruth Donnelly
    • Mrs. Hopperas Mrs. Hopper
    Grant Mitchell
    Grant Mitchell
    • Senator MacPhersonas Senator MacPherson
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Senator Monroeas Senator Monroe
    H.V. Kaltenborn
    H.V. Kaltenborn
    • H.V. Kaltenbornas H.V. Kaltenborn
    Charles Lane
    Charles Lane
    • Noseyas Nosey
    Pierre Watkin
    Pierre Watkin
    • Senate Minority Leaderas Senate Minority Leader
    Dick Elliott
    Dick Elliott
    • Carl Cookas Carl Cook
    • Director
      • Frank Capra
    • Writers
      • Sidney Buchman(screen play)
      • Lewis R. Foster(story)
      • Myles Connolly(contributor to screenplay construction and dialogue) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers, is appointed on a lark by the spineless governor of his state. He is reunited with the state's senior senator--presidential hopeful and childhood hero, Senator Joseph Paine. In Washington, however, Smith discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal of a national boys' camp leads to a conflict with the state political boss, Jim Taylor. Taylor first tries to corrupt Smith and then later attempts to destroy Smith through a scandal. —James Yu <jamestyu@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu>
    • united states capitol building
    • place name in title
    • washington d.c.
    • filibuster
    • national film registry
    • 107 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • OUR OPERATOR SAYS.."IT'S GOING TO BE A PLEASURE TO RUN "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON" 5 DAYS STARTING SUNDAY, NOV.7) (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Cactus Theatre - Lubbock Texas - November 2, 1938 - all caps)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bitterly denounced by Washington insiders angry at its allegations of corruption, yet banned by fascist states in Europe who were afraid it showed that democracy works.
    • Goofs
      Under the Standing Rules of the Senate governing debate, Senator Paine would not technically have been allowed to attack Senator Smith's character and accuse him of graft. The rule states: "No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator."
    • Quotes

      Jefferson Smith: You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.

    • Connections
      Edited into High Hopes: The Capra Years (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean
      (1843) (uncredited)
      Written by David T. Shaw
      Played during the opening credits and often in the score

    User reviews334

    Review
    Top review
    Keep an eye on Jean Arthur!
    Besides a brilliantly written story, and brilliant acting by James Stewart, there is one element of this movie that can't be overlooked: Jean Arthur's acting.

    With her voice and facial expressions, she pulls you through the storyline. The movie may be about Mr. Smith (Stewart), but much of it is seen through Saunder's (Arthur's) eyes. When she falls in love with Smith, we can't help but do it too.

    This is Capra's opus, and contains not one, but two of the best acting performances I've ever seen.
    helpful•11
    1
    • dm-8
    • Jan 5, 1999

    FAQ4

    • What is 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' about?
    • Is "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" based on a book?
    • How does the movie end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 19, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
    • Filming locations
      • Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,900,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $144,738
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $83,205
      • Oct 14, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $144,738
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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