Just Another Lost Cause

#26—Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

It seems to me that our mistrust of the U.S government has been long seated. Even though we have the freedom of Speech, many films and TV shows have showcased the deep corruption that is seeded within our politicians.  Just recently shows like Scandal and House of Cards center around politicians that are not totally ethical. So I guess it shouldn’t come to any surprise to me that there would be at least one film on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 film list that deals with the crooked politics in Washington, D.C. Coming up at #26 on the list, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to bring decency to the Capital Building.

After the sudden death of his states senator, Governor Hubert "Happy" Hopper (Guy Kibbee) has the unlucky job of picking the next state senator. Feeling pressure from a corrupt political boss, Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), and the popular opinion for a man named Henry Hill, Governor Hopper decides to pick neither and listen to his own children. Hopper decides on an unknown head of the Boy Rangers (Boy Scouts) by the name of Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart It’s a Wonderful Life). Not happy with Hopper’s choice, Taylor convinces Senator Joe Paine (Claude Rains Casablanca) to take the unsuspecting ‘boy’ under his wing and make sure Smith doesn’t interfere with their plans for the state. However, when Paine pushes the newly appointed Senator Smith to create a bill of his own, Taylor and Paine’s plans suddenly clash with those of the naïve ‘boy’ from the backwoods.

One of many ‘David vs. Goliath’ stories that, like the film I just reviewed, will never age. Mr. Smith shows that you should never underestimate a man with heart and will to go the distance against even the toughest of challengers. Laced with wonderful performances, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of many crowning achievements for not only Stewart, but for director Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life). I would also like to point out that though this film is billed as a drama, Capra does slip a lot more comedy than one would suspect from the movie.

Taking the role at just the right time in his career, Stewart personifies every idealist that wants to bring end to corruption in the political process that he some much loves. Stewart is amazing in his transformation from wide eyed boy to ‘gladiator’ of the senate house. Stewart’s charm is enough to win over anyone that watches this film. I also would like to give praise to Rains for his split depiction of Paine. Showing much respect for Stewart’s character, Rains must keep his feelings in check about Smith and it shows how much Rains must struggle with this. Rains also makes it so clear when his conscience comes in to play when it comes to decisions Taylor makes for him.

Coming to the peak of his career, Frank Capra decides to take on a film that would later become not only one that defined his career, but one that would be very controversial for 1939. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington brings to light the possibility that there is corruption within Washington. Though very patriotic, I would like to believe that Capra took on this project not as a slander at politicians, but as a blueprint for people to stand up for what is right. Capra’s work with Stewart will go down as some of the best in film history. Capra is able to capture Stewart’s charm and innocence throughout most of this film and when it comes to the climactic scene, Capra pushes Stewart away from that charm into the warrior he needs to be.

The film really actually surprised me. I actually thought it was going to be a dry political drama, but it really transformed into a real rounded film with comedy, drama, and a little romance. So maybe like Jefferson Smith of this film, we shouldn’t judge people by their exterior and by what’s inside them.

The Verdict: Good Place On List.