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Julie 2021-12-09 08:01:20
Mr. Smith to Washington
The film relies on the awakening of conscience to complete the drama climax and the carnival of justice, but it also fully expresses the out-of-control power and hypocritical freedom. From smugness to hysteria, while constructing a concise and invigorating tit-for-tat, hypocrisy and...
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Grant 2021-12-09 08:01:20
His her, her him
He is a good man, innocent, kind, enthusiastic, young, and silly idealist. He is training his boy scouts, spending all day with the local children, with only the prairie in his eyes, and "the wind blows high." The tip of the grass, the stream trickling into the grass, the lively water in...
Larry Simms
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington quotes
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H.V. Kaltenborn, Himself: [Speaking into a CBS Radio microphone] This is H.V. Kaltenborn speaking. Half of official Washington is here to see democracy's finest show: the filibuster. The right to talk your head off. The American privilege of free speech in its most dramatic form. The least man in that chamber, once he gets and holds that floor, by the rules, can hold it and talk as long as he can stand on his feet. Providing always; first, that he does not sit down, second, that he does not leave the chamber or stop talking. The galleries are packed! In the diplomatic gallery, are the envoys of two dictator powers. They have come here to see what they can't see at home: democracy in action.
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Jefferson Smith: I always get a great kick out of that part of the Declaration of Independence. You're not gonna have a country where these kind of rules work, if you haven't got men that have learned to tell human rights from a punch in the nose.
[applause from the gallery]
Jefferson Smith: It's a funny thing about men. They all start out being boys. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these Senators were boys once. That's why it seemed like a pretty good idea to get boys out of the crowded cities and stuffy basements for a couple of months out of the year. Build their bodies and minds for a man-sized job. Those boys will be sitting behind these desks some day. Yes, it seemed like a pretty good idea - boys from all over the country, of all nationalities and ways of life, getting together and finding out what makes different people tick the way they do. Because I wouldn't give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn't have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness... and a little looking out for the other fella, too. That's pretty important, all that. It's just the blood, bone and sinew of this democracy that some great men handed down to the human race, that's all! But, of course, if you've got to build a dam where a boys' camp ought to be to get some graft to pay off some political army or something, why that's different!
[suddenly, with strength]
Jefferson Smith: No, sir! If you think I'll go back and tell those boys in my state, "Forget it, fellas. Everything I've told you about the land you live in is a lot of hooey. It isn't your country - it belongs to the James Taylors!" Not me! Anybody who thinks that has got another think coming!
[Jeff notices that none of the senators are really listening to him; he sharply whistles, startling the room of men out of their apathy]
Jefferson Smith: That's all right. I just wanted to see whether you still had faces.
[laughter from the gallery]
Jefferson Smith: I'm sorry, gentlemen. I know I'm being disrespectful to this honorable body. A guy like me should never be allowed here in the first place! I hate to stand here and try your patience but... EITHER I'M DEAD RIGHT OR I'M CRAZY!
Senate Minority Leader, Barnes: You wouldn't care to put that to a vote, would you, Senator?
[this time, the Senators laugh]
