A limited selection of MOTM suggestions resulted in an executive decision to go with three time runner up, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” as the September MOTM. No one was happier than the film’s frequent champion, James Wilson of “Blogging by Cinema Light”. James was chomping at the bit to discuss this classic film from 1939.
The year 1939 in film is widely considered the greatest year in film history. The ten films nominated for Best Picture at the 12th Academy Awards (which honored the best in film for 1939)—Dark Victory, Gone with the Wind, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Love Affair,, Ninotchka, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, and Wuthering Heights and our film today, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . Across a huge range of genres, all of these films are considered essentials. Maybe someday our Decade Lookback Series will tackle 1939, but for the moment, we are going to contain ourselves to the Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur.
We look at the film historically, but also see how relevant it continues to be to the political process of today. There are “West Wing” vibes, and Watergate references, but we are oblique when it comes to any references to current politicians. No one needs to fear a political flame war from our discussion on the show.
Stars Jean Arthur and James Stewart get a lot of attention and credit for the success of the film. There are dramatic speeches on the floor of the Senate and drunken dialogue in D.C. barrooms. The “aw shucks” nature of the title character is tempered by the dark side of his conundrum. Stewart seems to play roles with a lot of conflicted emotions. As for Jean Arthur, we spend a good ten minutes heaping praise on her.
No one misses a chance to talk about the great Claude Rains either. This film is loaded with some of the greatest character actors of the golden age of Hollywood and we delight in seeing them in the film. Damien Riley and Matthew Simpson join James in admiring and analyzing this classic film. For both of them, this was a first time watch.
Listening Links:
Be sure to check out the other guests on this episode!
- James Wilson, Blogging by Cinema Light
- Damien Riley, Riley on Film
- Richard Kirkham, Kirkham: A Movie a Day