Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

1939 · 2 hr 9 min · Approved

Comedy, Drama

Directors

Frank Capra

Actors

  • James Stewart
  • Jean Arthur
  • Claude Rains

Credits: 2

Summary

A naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his c...

More about this movie

Naive and idealistic Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers, is appointed on a lark by the spineless governor of his state. He is reunited with the state's senior senator--presidential hopeful and childhood hero, Senator Joseph Paine. In Washington, however, Smith discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal of a national boys' camp leads to a conflict with the state political boss, Jim Taylor. Taylor first tries to corrupt Smith and then later attempts to destroy Smith through a scandal.