I stayed up late last night watching “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and was once again awe-struck at what a good actor Jimmy Stewart was. This film is a masterpiece of acting.
Mr. Jim Taylor has been pulling the strings in his state’s senate for years. He bought the Governor his seat and has been arranging the senators for longer than that. When his appointed patsy unexpectedly passes away, he needs a new one, and fast. He tells the Governor who to appoint, but the public reaction is such that the Governor doesn’t dare proceed. Instead, he appoints the man his sons recommend – Jackson Smith (Jimmy Stewart).
Jackson is a youth leader, heading up a group of Boy Rangers. His whole focus is on getting boys out in the open to learn and exercise, getting them off the streets and into wholesome activities. When he accepts the appointment to senator, he does it with the goal in mind of using his new position for the good of boys everywhere.
Meanwhile, Jim Taylor has every plan of using Jackson for his own gain. A bill has been snuck into the senate that will line Taylor’s pocket with a lot of money, and he’s coerced Jackson’s fellow senator, Senator Paine, into going along with it. If they can keep Jackson from interfering, everything will go well. They’ve even hired a secretary for Jackson, especially to keep him occupied and out from underfoot. Clarissa Saunders doesn’t like what she’s being asked to do, but she needs the job.
When Jackson discovers what’s going on, he’s furious. He came to Washington with such high ideals – he looked up to the Founding Fathers and the things they stood for, and to think that those principals are being perverted is more than he can tolerate.
However, when he goes to tell Congress what he’s found out, Senator Paine interrupts him and produces falsified documentation and witnesses stating that Jefferson himself owned that land and would stand to profit. It seems there’s nothing Jefferson can do, but he takes what he’s given and runs with it, holding the floor of Congress for nearly twenty-four hours to state his case without interruption.
I loved this look into politics and this man’s devotion to his country. It was emotionally gripping, touching, and inspirational. While it’s not something children would be interested in, you can certainly watch it with them in the room. I give this one two thumbs way, way up.
This film was not rated.
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