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UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Hammer Museum present

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
September 23, 2012 - 11:00 am

Directed by Frank Capra

Junior Senator Jefferson Smith (Stewart) arrives for the first time in Washington D.C., brimming with idealism. Jean Arthur is his street-smart secretary, who becomes swept up in his wish to create a national boys’ camp, despite cynical Washington wheeling and dealing. A heartening story of possibility, the film calls upon both characters to meet at the crossroads of practicality and good-heartedness.

Columbia Pictures Corp. Producer: Frank Capra. Screenwriter: Sidney Buchanan. Based on a story by Lewis R. Foster. Cinematographer: Joseph Walker. Editor: Gene Havlick, Al Clark. Cast: Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Harry Carey, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold.

35mm, b/w, 130 min.

Recommended for ages 8+

Preceded by:

"Schoolhouse Rocks": "Preamble" (1975)

Digital video, color, 3 min.

"Schoolhouse Rocks": "I'm Just a Bill" (1975)

Digital video, color, 3 min.

Part of: