Film: Mr Smith goes to Washington

On Wednesday 13th May, I went to see the film 'Mr Smith goes to Washington' with Meetup at the Phoenix. It's a Frank Capra film, released in 1939 and starring James Stewart. Jefferson Smith (Stewart) is selected as senator for an unnamed American state by corrupt officials, who hope that he will neither notice nor scupper their and a businessman's plans to profit from a proposed dam.

Jefferson feels initially honoured but ill-prepared. After being ridiculed by the press, he decides to take a more active role and proposes a boys' camp to be built on the very land which the others have selected for the dam. Once he finds out about their plans, he refuses to be bribed, but puts up a determined defence, helped in no small part by the worldly-wise but not quite entirely dejected secretary Clarissa Saunders (Jean Arthur). When the corrupt senator Paine produces papers claiming to prove that it is Smith who hopes to profit fraudulently from the land, Smith takes to the floor of the senate and spends several hours attempting to convince the senators of his innocence and the need for justice for all people - not big business, in politics. Clarissa directs him from the viewing gallery and falls in love with his determination and genuineness. Smith collapses when he sees telegrams from his state calling for him to stop after an orchestrated newspaper campaign, but senator Paine finally succumbs to his conscience and confesses all after an unsuccessful suicide attempt.

It was amazing to see a film 76 years on, showing so many issues relevant today, including corruption in politics, and the role of media and big business. Clarissa was an intelligent, articulate and proactive character, and it was brilliant to see this in a classic film. I enjoyed this very much - more please!

[By Trailer screenshot (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]