James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains star in this award-winning 1939 classic about an idealistic, small-town senator who heads to Washington and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians, out to destroy him.
Directed by
Frank Capra
Written by
Lewis R. Foster (story) Sidney Buchman (screenplay)
Starring
Jean Arthur (Clarissa Saunders); James Stewart (Jefferson Smith); Claude Rains (Sen. Joseph Harrison Paine); Edward Arnold (Jim Taylor); Guy Kibbee (Gov. Hubert 'Happy' Hopper); Thomas Mitchell (Diz Moore); Eugene Pallette (Chick McGann); Beulah Bondi (Ma Smith); H.B. Warner (Sen. Agnew (Senate Majority Leader)); Harry Carey (President of the Senate); Astrid Allwyn (Susan Paine); Ruth Donnelly (Emma Hopper); Grant Mitchell (Sen. MacPherson (Privileges and Elections Committee)); Porter Hall (Sen. Monroe (objecting to frivolity)); Pierre Watkin (Sen. Barnes (Senate Minority Leader)). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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An Oscar-winning inspirational film of democracy in action
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Frank Capra’s films frustrate me for all the right reasons – namely that I get annoyed we’re not making films of a similar moral and entertaining standard today. Mr Smith Goes to Washington is a fine tale of democracy in action; showing that even Joe nobody can stand up to the big boys and make a difference in the world. Capra’s usual addition of romantic interest also adds charisma and humour to his Oscar-winning screenplay to make this an inspirational film for all the family to enjoy.
