MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Producer: Frank Capra

Director: Frank Capra

Awards: In a year of Academy Award history, this film only won one of the Oscar's it was nominated for: Best Writing. It was nominated for Best Actor (Jimmy Stewart), Best Supporting Actor (Harry Carey & Claude Rains), Best art Director, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Best Picture, Best Sound & Best Writing. It also won a NBR Award and a NYFCC Award for Jimmy Stewart. In 1989 it was added to the National Film Registry.

Release Date: October 19th, 1939

Origination: The story was written by Lewis R. Foster under the title of The Gentleman from Wyoming and The Gentleman from Montana, though it never was published.

Interesting Fact: Released on the eve of World War II, this film was surrounded by controversy. Countries in Europe, like Germany and Italy, had banned the film. France, however, embraced it before a ban was issued when they became occupied. In America, it shook the ground where politicians stood and was not welcomed by the leaders of this country. Some suggested that it may not send the right message about democracy at a time when the country needed to be united. Harry Cohn, the owner of Columbia Pictures, compared his concerns on releasing this film to the feelings of Abraham, who was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

Jefferson Smith: Because of just one, plain, simple rule: Love thy neighbor.

I've posted on this movie before, but now, in this month of patriotism, I couldn't pass it up. Though this film did not involve battle scenes where heroes died, or songs and parades that get the heart stirring, it creates a new kind of patriotism that celebrates the government of the people. The work may be fictional but the message is true. To date, no film has come close to what this picture has done for America. Films of our day focus on the corruption and conspiracy surrounding similar events, while Capra's picture focuses on the naive hero who rises against the tyranny. He is like a Frodo who has chosen to do something he may not fully understand.

Another thing that I love about this film is it's showcase of the monuments of D.C. and Mr. Smith's admiration of them. I feel like this movie brought those pieces of stone to life and gave them even more meaning. I have visited those sites and I could not help but reflect on the scenes of this film as I viewed them. They are all majestic!

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MOVIE?

Here are some selected scenes from the film
created by a fan on YouTube.com.