Mr. Smith Goes To Washington parents guide

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Parent Guide

Parents will find this classic film has the potential to open great discussions on morals and ethics -- in and out of politics.

Overall B+

Political manipulation and backroom bargaining are at the heart of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington when the idealistic and naïve leader of a prominent boys' organization (Jimmy Stewart) is sent to the Capitol to replace a recently deceased senator.

Release date October 12, 1939

Violence B
Sexual Content A-
Profanity A-
Substance Use C

Why is Mr. Smith Goes To Washington rated G? The MPAA rated Mr. Smith Goes To Washington G

Run Time: 129 minutes

Parent Movie Review

The thought of a movie like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington becoming a hot political issue today speaks volumes about how much our society has changed. Made by idealist director Frank Capra, Mr. Smith premiered in October 1939 at the dawn of Hitler’s uprising. Minutes after the initial showing, Capra faced scorn and anger from many senators and National Press Club members who attended the Washington D.C. premiere.

The film opens with Montana Senator Sam Foley passing away just days before he and his colleagues, Governor Hubert Hopper (Guy Kibbee) and Senior Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains), were to railroad a bill through the senate. Carefully constructed under the direction of newspaper mogul and businessman Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), this document that appears on the surface to have nothing but good intentions, contains a clause approving a new dam that will have financial benefits for Taylor and these politicians.

Both Paine and Hopper are guilty of harnessing their political careers to Taylor, who has a long history of using his public influence to manipulate the state’s political process. Taylor now demands a “puppet” be chosen for Foley’s replacement. At the toss of a coin, naively patriotic Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), leader of a prominent boys’ organization, is chosen.

Unaware of the back office deals, Smith arrives in Washington D.C. where the local press makes him a laughing stock. But his greatest blunder is the camp for boys he proposes to build on the same piece of land Paine’s bill has earmarked for the dam. The ensuing conflict will shake Smith’s belief in democracy, and cause him to take a brave stand (with help from his secretary Clarissa Saunders played by Jean Arthur) to bring justice and truth back to the house.

A box office success for Columbia Pictures, Mr. Smith won the 1940 Academy Award for Best Writing and was nominated in nine other categories. However, the obvious disclaimer at the front of the film, declaring all characters to be fictitious, reflected the studio’s concern over the political hot water the movie landed them in. With a war brewing in Europe, U.S. politicians, including Joseph P. Kennedy acting as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, fretted that the movie would only continue to promote “the impression [foreigners] have about our Country being run by gangsters and crooked politicians.”

However, Mr. Smith’s criticism appears minor in light of today’s “accepted” political behavior. Oddly enough, the depiction of copious amounts of smoking (although typical for the period) is more likely to raise objections now. Except for frantic dialogue that may be difficult for young audiences to follow, drinking and drunken behavior, and some retaliating punches received by a few reporters, parents will find this film has the potential to open great discussions on morals and ethics.

This Capra classic is still able to awaken a reverence for liberties and freedoms in even the most jaded viewer. It also reminds us that we have a right to demand higher ethical and moral standards from our elected representatives, making this “Capra-Corn” message one that will never go out of style.

Directed by Frank Capra. Starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur. Running time: 129 minutes. Theatrical release October 12, 1939. Updated

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Parents' Guide

Do you think political corruption is better or worse in light of our more modern media and communications efforts?

In this movie, media (Jim Taylor owned a chain of newspapers) is seen as having a great deal of influence on the political process and popular opinion. Are you surprised that the media would be depicted that way in 1939? Does the media have that kind of power today?

What kinds of traits do the political leaders of today posses? What kinds of traits should they have? Are morals and ethics valued today?

Would you want Mr. Smith to represent your state? Why?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Mr. Smith Goes To Washington movie is June 5, 2018. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington releases to home video (Blu-ray/BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc) with the following bonus features:
- Audio commentary by Frank Capra Jr.
- Original theatrical trailer
- Rare international trailer which includes footage deleted from the final film
- Feature-length documentary: Frank Capra's American Dream, narrated by Ron Howard and incorporating interviews with the director's friends, colleagues and admirers.
- "Frank Capra Jr. Remembers ... Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," in which the son of the famous director offers insight on his father's technique, the motivation of the actors and the production of the film
- Four additional featurettes offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of Hollywood's greatest and most influential directors

Related home video titles:

Some of director Frank Capra’s other movies include It’s a Wonderful Life (also starring Jimmy Stewart) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (also starring Jean Arthur). James Stewart can also be seen in Harvey, Rear Window and The Shop Around the Corner.

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