nt for Foley “The man who goes to the Senate to take Sam Foley’s place can’t ask any questions or talk out of turn. We’ve got to be absolutely sure of him.”
Of course, the new replacement played by Jimmy Stewart is naïve but he is a man who asks questions. In this era, films were made that typically reinforced the values and institutions of American society as being good, like politics, democracy and capitalism and industry. Stewart’s character represents the force of American democracy, freedom and morality over the oppression and evil of those in politics who are corrupt. Like Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, this film reinforces the belief that while there are many in politics who are corrupt, those who are good and stand for real American freedom and democracy are triumphant.
The film reveals how deep and pervasive corruption is among the select group of Senators, who always cover for each other and do whatever it takes to keep their nefarious deeds from seeing the light of public exposure. That is, until Mr. Smith comes to Washington. The film builds to a climax wherein the only way to prevent the pork-laden bill from passing is via a lengthy filibuster by Smith. Before collapsing in exhaustion on the Senate floor, Smith announces he will continue fighting this lost cause no matter how many armies march against him. After collapsing Senator Paine has a change of heart and out of shame and self-disgust tries to kill himself. His final words are meant to be an exoneration of Smith and the American political machinery “Every word that boy said is the truth! Every word about Taylor and me and graft and the rotten
...