A classic
Jimmy Stewart film made in 1939. Directed by
Frank Capra who went on to direct such films as "The Battle of Britain", "The Nazis Strike", and "Know Your Enemy:
Japan", this is the film
Americans watch on
President's Day, just like they watch
It's a Wonderful Life on
Christmas Day.
The story follows Jefferson Smith, founder of a camp for boys, as he (due to a hilarious sequence of events) becomes the newest Senator. Being naive, he fights against the corruption he finds in the Senate.
In the current climate of political corruption, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" allows us to escape into a world where just-want-we-want-to-happen-in-politics finally happens. However, it ends rather sharply and the Simpsons version (found in the Mel Gibson episode) is by far superior.
Harry Carey played the President of the United States.