MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1939

A REVIEW*

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939) is producer/director Frank Capra's classic comedy-dram, and considered by many to be his greatest achievement in filim (and reminiscent of his earlier film, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). [In fact, the film project by Columbia was first announced as Mr. Deeds Goes To Washington starring Gary Cooper, in a role similar to his previous Longfellow Deeds character.]

James Stewart established himself as a leading actor with this film, the one he is perhaps most identified with - and it was the fifth film he made in 1939. He was again teamed with his co-star Jean Arthur (in the role of a cynical secretary) from the previous year's Best Picture winner, Capra's You Can't Take It With You (1938). Stewart's character represents the powerful forces of American freedom, democracy and morality over oppression and evil in his emotional portrait of a naive, idealist, patriotic young politician who, after being sent to Washington (a symbol of liberty and democracy) as a junior senator from an un-named state, matures to in wisdom, fights political corruption within his state's political machine, and guards American values as a moral hero.

The film is enhanced by a travelogue-montage of tourist sights in the nation's capital, and Dimitri Tiomkin's medly of flag-waving American songs ("Yankee Doddle," "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "Red River Valley," and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"). Production work included reconstructing a perfect replica of the Senate Chamber, and the film was faithful to how American democracy works (how a bill becomes a law, political machines, filibustering, etc.)..

The wonderfully-acted, absorbing and human film was popular at the box-office and critically successful too. However, the film caused some controversy and pressure was brought to bear to hinder its release (two months after the outbreak of WWII in Europe), due to the fact that Capra's film was propagandistic, depicted political corruption, and appeared to paint an anti-democratic picture of the US government. But the film aslo called faith in traditional American values of patriotism and faith in the people.

Capra's film received eleven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (James Stewart), Best Supporting Actor (Harry Carey and Claude Rains), Best Score (Dimitri Tomkin), Best Sound Recording (John Livadary), Best Film Editing, Best Interior Direction(Lionel Banks), Best Screenplay (Sidney Buchman), and Best Original Story. Its sole award went to Lewis R. Foster for his original story - originally a novel titled The Gentleman from Montana. In 1940, Stewart was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for The Philadelphia Story (1940), often considered a consolation prize for his loss in this year.

*Lifted partly from the Review of Tim Dirks

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1939 and they made a movie like this. No sex. No bloody killings. No sensational issues. Just plane American life and American Politics.

1939 and the same practices are found today. In our government, in their government. The same problems they were facing then are the same problems we are facing now.

1939 and they filibuster in the sessions, in the Senate floor. Democracy in action... Pimentel did that during the Presidential Canvassing. Serge Osmeña did that in the 12th congress. Even GMA did that when she was just senator. Well, I'd be glad to watch and stay up late to listen to Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid and Jinggoy Estrada filibuster. I think Mirriam would be a better filibuster :) how about Dick Gordon?

1939 and all those political machines are still present today. The killing machine used to manipulate the people was Media... 2004 and still the Media is it! Money talks... talks fast.

1939. "Yes, Jim..." that's what those political stooges are always saying in 1939 and still the same. Tito Sotto would comment on FPJ's suggestions, "Ok yan, pare...", "Maganda ang sinabi mo, Ronnie." The head honchos of THE FIRM would tell PGMA to do this and do that.. and she would certainly say, "Yes, Nong," "Yes, Pancho," "Yes, Tony."

1939, so many years ago and we're worst!