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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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 |
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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:
Entertainment As Powerful As the Strength of the People! As Great As the Genius of Capra! See more »Parents Guide:
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Jefferson Smith: I have no defense against forged papers!
Senator Joseph Paine: The Committee ruled otherwise! The gentleman stands guilty, as charged. And I believe I speak for every member when I say that no one cares to hear what a man of his condemned character has to say about any section of any legislation before this House.
President of Senate: Order, order, gentlemen.
Jefferson Smith: Mr. President, I stand guilty ...
[...]
See more »
(1788) (uncredited)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Sung at the banquet by the senators
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Edmund Mortimer was first chosen for the role of Sen. Agnew, and studio records/casting call lists reflected this. However, Mortimer dropped out of the finished film entirely, and the role went to H.B. Warner. See more »Goofs
(at around 9 mins) When the governor enters the Smiths' home (with the band playing) we see, from the inside, Ma closing the door almost shut. When the scene shifts to outside the house, Ma is again closing the same door. See more »Quotes
Senator Joseph Paine: I wish to ask my distinguished colleague, has he one scrap of evidence to add now to the defense he did not give and could not give at that same hearing?Jefferson Smith: I have no defense against forged papers!
Senator Joseph Paine: The Committee ruled otherwise! The gentleman stands guilty, as charged. And I believe I speak for every member when I say that no one cares to hear what a man of his condemned character has to say about any section of any legislation before this House.
President of Senate: Order, order, gentlemen.
Jefferson Smith: Mr. President, I stand guilty ...
[...]
See more »
Connections
Referenced in War Room: The Glove Doesn't Fit (w/John Solomon, Boris Epshteyn, Dr. Peter Navarro, Melissa Huray) (2021) See more »Soundtracks
Auld Lang Syne(1788) (uncredited)
Traditional Scottish 17th century music
Lyrics by Robert Burns
Sung at the banquet by the senators
See more »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
9 November 1939 (Canada) See more »Also Known As:
Monsieur Smith au sénat 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 »
Accomplished, honest and heartfelt, this will reinspire you to believe in the goodness of people even though the messages conveyed by those in power these days suggest anything but. James Stewart plays the innocence and naivety required for the role to perfection while you can genuinely believe that Jean Arthur has actually fallen for him for real. The great Claude Reins fills the boots of the corrupt senator with aplomb while Edward Arnold reminds us of a few of his type that are still around today. Probably the best film you'll ever see with the most mundane of titles.