A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn't back down.
Director:
Frank Capra
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Title: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jean Arthur | ... | Saunders | |
| James Stewart | ... | Jefferson Smith | |
| Claude Rains | ... | Senator Joseph Paine | |
| Edward Arnold | ... | Jim Taylor | |
| Guy Kibbee | ... | Governor Hopper | |
| Thomas Mitchell | ... | Diz Moore | |
| Eugene Pallette | ... | Chick McGann | |
| Beulah Bondi | ... | Ma Smith | |
| H.B. Warner | ... | Senate Majority Leader | |
| Harry Carey | ... | President of the Senate | |
| Astrid Allwyn | ... | Susan Paine | |
| Ruth Donnelly | ... | Mrs. Hopper | |
| Grant Mitchell | ... | Senator MacPherson | |
| Porter Hall | ... | Senator Monroe | |
 |
H.V. Kaltenborn | ... | H.V. Kaltenborn |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
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. Written by James Yu <jamestyu@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu>
Taglines:
Stirring - In the seeing! Precious - In the remembering! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
19 October 1939 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington See more »Filming Locations:
Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,900,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$83,205, 14 October 2018Gross USA:
$144,738Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$144,738Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (TV)Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Clarissa Saunders: No! No, not that straight stuff. Now listen, kick it up, get on his side, fight for him! Understand?
Diz Moore: You love this monkey - don't you?
Clarissa Saunders: What do you think? Now listen, go to work. Do as I tell you.
Diz Moore: [into phone] Throw out that last, take this. This is the most titanic battle of modern times. A David without even a slingshot rises to do battle against the mighty Goliath, the Taylor machine, allegedly crooked inside and out....
See more »
(ca 1856) (uncredited)
Music by William Steffe
In the score when Smith is at the Lincoln Memorial
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The film's premiere was sponsored by the National Press Club in Washington, DC, at Constitution Hall with over 4,000 in attendance, including congressmen, Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet members. Frank Capra was seated next to Montana Sen. Burton Wheeler, who was one of many public officials who disliked the negative representation of Washingtonian politics, and left the theater midway through in a huff. Capra described the aftermath as "the worst shellacking of my professional life." See more »Goofs
On the Senate floor, Mr. Smith says the "Lady on top of the Capitol that stands for liberty." The statue on top of the US Capitol building since 1863 is the Statue of Freedom, also known as Armed Freedom or simply Freedom rather than Liberty. See more »Quotes
Diz Moore: [dictating into phone] In protest, the whole Senate body rose and walked out.Clarissa Saunders: No! No, not that straight stuff. Now listen, kick it up, get on his side, fight for him! Understand?
Diz Moore: You love this monkey - don't you?
Clarissa Saunders: What do you think? Now listen, go to work. Do as I tell you.
Diz Moore: [into phone] Throw out that last, take this. This is the most titanic battle of modern times. A David without even a slingshot rises to do battle against the mighty Goliath, the Taylor machine, allegedly crooked inside and out....
See more »
Soundtracks
Battle Hymn of the Republic(ca 1856) (uncredited)
Music by William Steffe
In the score when Smith is at the Lincoln Memorial
See more »
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Mr. Smith is as good as it's legend. Sometimes I'm disappointed when a universally acclaimed movie isn't as enjoyable as I thought it would be. But here, that is not the case. James Stewart is deservedly remembered most for this role. That's saying a lot given his impressive body of work. This is also Frank Capra's signature film along with Mr. Deeds. The idealism of Jefferson Smith might feel a bit anachronisitc today but, and I know this is a cliché, the world could use more people with his values. The supporting cast is also spot on. Jean Arthur plays the same type as she did in Mr. Deeds and Claude Rains is terrific as the mentor who betrays Smith. Strongly recommended, 9/10.