Episode #186

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

(1939)

No, I will not yield!

Jimmy Stew is at his wide-eyed, loquacious, man-of-the-people best here in this film that has a heart as big as the U.S. entire. It’s so earnestly idealistic about the potential of politics, politicians and American democracy that it’s hard to believe it was derided at the time for being too negative. Only Smith could go to Washington, and only Stewart could be Mr. Smith. He is just the man to sell such an ‘aw-shucks’ story. It also put him on the map as an actor. Should be worth it for just that alone, yes? We find out.