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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

all posters
Trailer
85%
470. Best
Ratings and fans
Drama / Comedy
USA, 1939, 129 min

Directed by:

Frank Capra

Screenplay:

Sidney Buchman

Cinematography:

Joseph Walker

Composer:

Dimitri Tiomkin

Cast:

Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette, Beulah Bondi, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Astrid Allwyn (more)
(more professions)

Plots(1)

When naive Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is chosen to replace a recently deceased senator, he heads for Washington full of idealistic dreams of serving his country, looking forward to working with his idol: senior senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). Upon his arrival, he is ridiculed in the press for his gullibility, but with the aid of his secretary, Saunders (Jean Arthur), he begins to realise that the world of politics is a cut-throat one full of double dealing. When he discovers that Paine is working on a scheme for a new dam which will only profit him and his cronies, Smith sets out to expose the man he formerly idolised. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

(more)

Awards

  • Winner
  • Nominations

Academy Awards

  • 1940 - Lewis R. Foster (Best Original Story)
  • 1940 - Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • 1940 - Frank Capra (Best Achievement in Directing)
  • 1940 - James Stewart (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
  • 1940 - Harry Carey (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
  • 1940 - Claude Rains (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
  • 1940 - Sidney Buchman (Best Adapted Screenplay)
  • 1940 - Best Achievement in Film Editing
  • 1940 - Dimitri Tiomkin (Best Scoring of Music - Adaptation or Treatment)
  • 1940 - Best Achievement in Production Design
  • 1940 - Best Sound Mixing