Movie 194/1001 ~ Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Finishing off my Frank Capra kick is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Filmed in 1939, and starring Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur (a favourite leading lady of Capra's), it is the tale of a naive Mr. Smith that gets appointed to the senate. After discovering dishonesty (shock!) within the senate, he tries to uncover the truth and greedy newspapermen and politicians try to crush him and smear his reputation. It was very entertaining, and I learned a lot about how the senate works, and why it takes so god damn long to get anything done in government. I especially liked Jean Arthur's sidekick Thomas Mitchell, and the performance from Claude Rains, who is the policeman from Casablanca.

***1/2